Theme E - Similar vs Contrasting views

2 similar religious views on retribution

Some Christian’s will think that retribution is a fair way to deal with criminals. The Old Testament teaches Christian’s to “take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth”. This leads Christian’s to be fair and equal with punishments on criminals.

Similarly, some Muslims will also believe that retribution is a good way of dealing with offenders. The Qur’an also teaches Muslims to “take life for like, eye for eye”. This leads Muslims to also be fair and equal when punishing criminals.

2 contrasting religious views on retribution

Some Muslims will also believe that retribution is a good way of dealing with offenders. The Qur’an also teaches Muslims to “take life for like, eye for eye”. This leads Muslims to also be fair and equal when punishing criminals.

On the other hand, some Christian’s will disagree with this and prefer aims of punishment such as reform. They believe this as they don’t think taking revenge is the right call of action, and it is instead better to forgive the sinner.

2 similar religious views on protection

Most Christians will believe that protection is a good way of punishing criminals. St Thomas Aquinas taught them that “the peace of society is more important than the reform of the criminal”. This leads Christians to put criminals in prison so they cannot do anymore damage to society.

Similarly, some Muslims may say that protection is a good aim of punishment. They believe this as it is there responsibility to ensure people live in a stable and secure society.

2 contrasting religious views on protection

Most Christians will believe that protection is a good way of punishing criminals. St Thomas Aquinas taught them that “the peace of society is more important than the reform of the criminal”. This leads Christians to put criminals in prison so they cannot do anymore damage to society.

On the other hand, some Muslims will disagree with this, labelling protection as a less effective way to punish offenders. They will believe this as they think it is better to deter criminals from re offending.

2 similar religious views on deterence

Some Muslims will believe that deterrence is an effect aim of punishment as it prevents re offending. The Qur’an teaches them “As to the their, cut of his or her hands”. This demonstrates to Muslims that sever punishments are effective at both preventing re offending and deterring people away from committing the crime in the first place.

Similarly, some Christian’s may believe that deterrence can be effective as it is a pro active solution that prevents future crime. therfore, some Christian’s will support deterrence as it also leads to a more ordered society which s what Jesus wanted.

2 contrasting religious views on deterrence

Some Muslims will believe that deterrence is an effect aim of punishment as it prevents re offending. The Qur’an teaches them “As to the their, cut of his or her hands”. This demonstrates to Muslims that sever punishments are effective at both preventing re offending and deterring people away from committing the crime in the first place.

On the other hand, some Christians will disagree with violent forms of deterrence. Christians will not wish to deter people from crime violently as they will not want to harm people, leading them to look at alternative methods such as reformation and protection.

2 similar religious views on reformation

Most Christian’s will belive that reformation is an effective aim of punishment. They believe this as the Bible teaches them that Jesus taught with love and compassion, which therefore leads them to forgive and help guide offenders.

Similarly, most Buddhists will think that reformation is a good way to treat criminals. They believe that inhumane treatments of offenders does not solve their behaviour, they know that Buddha showed no sympathy for physical punishment.

2 contrasting religious views on reformation

Most Buddhists will think that reformation is a good way to treat criminals. They believe that inhumane treatments of offenders does not solve their behaviour, they know that Buddha showed no sympathy for physical punishment.

On the other hand, most Christians will believe that protection is a good way of punishing criminals. St Thomas Aquinas taught them that “the peace of society is more important than the reform of the criminal”. This leads Christians to put criminals in prison so they cannot do anymore damage to society.

2 religious views on prison

Christian’s believe they have a duty to care and help people. They also believe that if criminals are treated positively in prison, they are more likely to be reformed. They also believe that they should visit criminals as the parable of sheep and goats makes it clear that “I was in prison and you came to visit me”.

Under Shari’ah law prisons have little to do with reform. Muslims believe that prisons should be used to hold suspects awaiting trial and that they inflict greater pain than corporal punishment.

2 similar religious views on corporal punishment

Some Christian’s will be in favour of corporal punishment. This is because the bible teaches them that “he who spares the rod against his child, hates him”. This leads Christians to use corporal punishment sparingly as it can be effective.

Similarly, most Muslims will be accepting of corporal punishment. This is because is will successfully deter criminals as most people fear pain, this leads to a more ordered and stable society.

2 contrasting religious views on corporal punishment

Most Muslims will be accepting of corporal punishment. This is because is will successfully deter criminals as most people fear pain, this leads to a more ordered and stable society.

On the other hand, some Christians will be against corporal punishment. This is because the bible teaches them that “Those who live by the sword, die by the sword”. This leads Christian’s to avoid violence, and the fore corporal punishment.

2 religious views on community service

Most Christians will be in favour of community service for smaller crimes, as it keep with their principles of love and forgiveness. Christians also believe that community service is good for both the offender and the community.

On the other hand, most Muslims will think that community service is too soft and ineffective. Muslims believe that community service is less likely to lead to deterrence from re offending and other forms of punishment such as prison are more effective at creating a more stable society.

2 contrasting religious views on forgiveness

Christians believe that it is necessary to forgive offenders. They are taught to forgive ‘70 times 7’ by Jesus, which represents them showing an abundance of forgiveness.

On the other hand, whilst Muslims believe that they should forgive offenders, they also realise that only Allah can truly forgive. This shows Muslims that they can be forgiven and forgive others, but it is ultimately up to the actions of the offender and wether they seek repentance or not.

2 similar religious views on the death penalty

Some Christians believe that the death o penalty can be a suitable form of punishment for crimes involving murder. The Old Testament teaches Christians that “whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed”. This shows how Christians will use the death penalty for severe crimes such as murder.

Similarly, most Muslims agree with the death penalty for serious crimes. The Qur’an teaches them that they should ‘not take life… except by right’. Most Muslims think that it is there right to take life via the death penalty for crimes such as murder.

2 contrasting religious views on the death penalty

Some Christians believe that the death o penalty can be a suitable form of punishment for crimes involving murder. The Old Testament teaches Christians that “whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed”. This shows how Christians will use the death penalty for severe crimes such as murder.

Other Christian’s will disagree with this, and say that the death penalty is too harsh. The bible teaches them to “leave room for Gods wrath. This shows how they will not excessively punish serious offences such as murder as God will ultimately judge them.

2 religious attitudes to crimes of poverty

Christians condemn stealing, but they are keen to make sure nobody is poor. Christians set up food banks to reduce crimes made by poverty.

Muslims also condemn stealing, but support their community so no one has to turn to this. They also give Zakah to help Muslims that are less fortunate than themselves.

2 religious attitudes to crimes of poor upbringing

Muslims emphasise on having a strong extended family so every child is brought up right. They do show some symphony as they recognise that it is difficult to stop one begun.

Christians attempt ro reform people who have started these bad habitats, and want everyone to be brought up right but their parents

1 religious attitudes to crimes of mental illness

Christians believe that mental illness should be treated with love and compassion and seek to help victims

2 religious attitudes to crimes of addiction

Muslims forbid the taking of illegal drugs and alcohol. It is haram and they believe that alcohol causes temptation and leads to wrong doing.

For Catholics, drunkenness is a sin, they do not show sympathy to these crimes

2 religious attitudes to crimes of greed

The Qur’an teaches Muslims that “competing for more distracts you until you go into your graves”. They condemn these crimes.

Christians believe that money is the root of all evil

Overall religious attitudes to crimes of hate

All religious people condemn this crime as it goes against all religious principles

Christian’s are taught to ‘love thy neighbour’

2 religious attitudes to crimes of breaking an unjust law

St Thomas Aquinas teaches chrsitains that “an unjust law is a no law at all”. Chrsitains believe that if a law is unjust is shouldn’t be treated as one

Muslims dont take unjust laws to be real laws, but they are still there and punishment must be carried out

2 reasons why religious believer might break the law

Some Christians may break the if the law is unjust. St Thomas Aquinas teaches Chrsitains that “an unjust law is no law at all”. This leads Christians to oppose and challenge unjust laws.

Christian may also break the law due to the argument of free will. St Thomas Aquinas also teaches Christians that God gave us free will. This argument can be used as a reason as to why religious believers can break the law.