rs crime and punishment

Good and evil intentions and actions

“Treat others as you would like to be treated” - Jesus

“Actions are judged by intentions” - Hadith

“A good tree produces bad fruit” - Jesus

Evil intentions like those that go against 10 commandments against God’s will

Niyyah taken into account on Judgement Day

God is omniscient and knows and considers intentions

Suffering

“You are sure to be tested” Surah 3

“Suffering produces perseverance” St Paul

Christians and Muslims believe suffering can teach lessons, strengthen the soul, serve as a test of faith from God

Christians and Muslims respond to suffering by praying for strength, showing compassion to those who suffer, trusting in God’s plan and learning a lesson

Reasons for crime

“Clothe yourselves with compassion” - St Paul

“Be on your guard against greed” Jesus

“All people are equal like the teeth as of comb” Hadith

“Do not steal” Exodus

“As to the thief, male or female, cut off their hands: a punishment by way of an example” Surah

“Everyone must obey the state authorities, for no authority exists without God’s permission

Upbringing - Christians must educate kids and have reformation in prisons. Muslims must raid their children within the faith, “perfect their manners”

Poverty - Christians “Do not steal” Exodus, “Clothe yourselves with compassion” so support food banks and poor Muslims, cut off hands, give Zakat to help poor

Hate - Christians believe wrong as it goes against Jesus’ teachings on love “Love thy neighbour”, everyone made ‘imago Dei’. Muslims believe wrong, teeth of a comb

Greed - “Be on your guard against greed” Jesus, “Those who are saved from their greed are successful” Surah 64

Addiction/mental illness - Christians must help “Clothe yourselves with compassion”, Islam says to help, forbids drugs as ‘haram’

Unjust laws - Jesus broke the law on the Sabbath to save a sheep in a well, “Everyone must obey the state authorities for no authority exists without the permission of God”, Muslims believe God made Shari’ah Law so it is not unjust but they may protest unfair and secular laws, “Allah does command you….when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice”

Types of crime, hate, theft, murder

“Do not kill each other” Surah 4

“Do not steal” 10 commandments

“Do not kill” 10 commandments

“Treat others as you would like to be treated” Jesus

“I knitted you together in your mother’s womb” Bible

Hate crime - Christians believe wrong, sanctity of life. Muslims believe in sanctity of life, teeth of a comb

Theft - Christians believe wrong, “Do not steal”. Muslims believe wrong, cut off hands but may be justified by Lesser of Two Evils

Murder - “Do not kill”, sanctity of life. Muslims sanctity of life, “D9 not kill each other”

Aims of Punishment

“Eye for an eye” - Old Testament

“Turn the other cheek” New Testament

“Forgive not seven but seventy-seven times” Jesus

“A life for a life” - Qur’an

“If they repent and mend their ways…leave them alone” Surah 4

“Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing” Jesus

Deterrence - Christians “I will punish their sin with a rod”, Islam cut off hands

Reformation- Christians forgiveness key concept, Muslims “if they repent and mend their ways….leave them alone” Surah 4

Retribution- Christians “eye for an eye” but “turn the other cheek”, “forgive not seven but seventy-seven times” Muslims “life for a life”

Treatment of criminals, corporal punishment, prison, community service

Prison - Christians believe good as allows to reform and gives retribution and deterrence, “Everyone must obey…” but prisoners should be looked after “I was in prison and you visited me” Jesus Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Muslims prisoners shown dignity, “God gave you life” Surah 2 but may not be sufficient atonement or deterrent, “ a life for a life”

Corporal punishment - Christians believe wrong as Jesus taught to “turn the other cheek” and show mercy but “I will punish their sin with a rod” Psalms 89. Muslims believe okay, cut off thieves’ hands, used in Shari’ah Law, retribution deterrence

Community service - Christians believe goood as it provides chance to reform and redeem, “forgive not seven but seventy-seven times” and St Paul said to “restore that person gently” teaching them to reform and learn about doing good but St Thomas Aquinase argued that peace in society more important than reforming a sinner, Muslims support reforming “Forgive others and God will forgive you” Hadith but Islam emphasises retributive justice and community service may not suffice, “a life for a life”, cutting thief hands