GCSE RS crime and punishment

crime

any action that breaks the law and is punishable by law

punishment

something done to someone who has been found guilty of breaking the law

shari’ah

islamic legal system based on the teachings of the qur’an, hadith and sunnah as interpreted by scholars

crime against the person

causes direct harm to a person e.g murder

crime against property

offences that damage or deprive people of their property e.g theft, vandalism

crimes against the state

offences that potentially endanger everyone or affect the smooth running of society e.g terrorism

why do christian’s obey state laws (sowa)

“submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to human governors who are sent by God to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right”

why do christian’s follow state laws

-keeps society peaceful

-the bible says god chooses our leaders

-many state laws correlate with biblical laws

christian’s beliefs on religious law vs state laws

some christian’s believe religious laws override state laws in exceptional circumstances. they think it’s better to avoid sin by breaking the law than sinning

hadith

collection of sayings of the prophet muhammad

shariah law

the collective term for islamic religious law believed to be revealed by allah through the quran, hadith and rulings of islamic scholars

deterrent

something intended to discourage someone from doing something

ummah

the whole community of muslims bound together by ties of religion

haram

forbidden

fitrah

conscience, sense of right from wrong

islamic views in unjust laws

-muslims should challenge unjust laws, it is better to commit a crime than sin

-however, in islamic states, no law is unjust since all laws were given by allah, who is perfectly just

which sources is shariah law revealed

-qur’an

-hadith

-fatwas

hadd punishment for theft (traditionalist) sowa

“as for the thief, cut off the hands”

hadd punishment for theft (modernist) sowa

“have compassion for the destitute”

islamic murder sowas

“do not take life which allah has made sacred”

“whoever kills a soul it is as it he killed the human race”

islam hate crime sowas

“all people are children of adam, who allah created from dust”

“an arab is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than an arab”

why are muslims against hate crimes

allah created everyone equal and prejudice is a sin

causes of crime (7)

Poverty

Upbringing

Mental health

Addiction

Greed

Hate

Opposition to an unjust law

forgiveness sowas

“forgive not 7 but 77 times”

“forgive us for our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”

“repent and turn to god, and he will forgive your sins”

“if your forgive others their trespasses your heavenly father will also forgive you”

situation ethics

when judging criminals we should take into account their situation and show agape (unconditional love) for all

situation ethics sowas

“love thy neighbor”

“hate the sin, love the sinner”

forgiveness from allah

allah is omnibenevolent so capable of true forgiveness. allah will forgive all those who repent and are sincere

allah forgiveness sowa

“allah is oft forgiving”

forgiveness from muslims

muslims should forgive all who seek forgiveness. this brings good out of bad rather than allowing hatred to grow.

forgiveness islam sowa

“pardon each others faults and Allah will grant you honour”

Aims of punishment (6)

reformation

retribution

deterrence

reparation

vindication

protection

reformation

make the criminal a better person

retribution

make the criminal pay for their wrongdoing, serving justice to the victim

deterrence

put people off committing crime

reparation

compensate victim

vindication

make an example of the criminal to show laws must be obeyed

protection

keep society safe from the criminal

reform strengths

-makes criminal a better person

-reduces reoffending

reform weaknesses

-doesn’t benefit the victim

-may not work

retribution strengths

-serves justice to the victim

-possible deterrence

-protection

retribution weaknesses

-possible wrong accusations - can’t undo it

-not given chance to change

-reoffending

deterrence strengths

-puts people off committing committing crimes

-preventing offending and reoffending

deterrence weaknesses

-won’t work for everyone as sometimes crimes occur in the heat of the moment

-common reoffending- doesn’t work well

retribution sowa christianity

“show no pity: life for life, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”

deterrence sowa islam

“cut off the hands of thieves as punishment for what they have done and a deterrent from god”

retribution sowa islam

“we prescribe them a life for a life, eye for eye, wound for wound; this will serve as atonement for his bad deeds”

reformation sowa islam

“pardon each others faults and allah will grant you honor”

reformation sowa christianity

“forgive not 7 but 7 times”