Crime and Punishment RS

Define crime

An offence that is punishable by law

Define punishment

Something legally done as a result of being found guilty of breaking a law

Religious attitudes to laws and unjust laws:

Christianity

Give two pieces of evidence related to this

“Everyone must obey the state authorities because no authority exists without God’s permission” (Romans 13:1)

Jesus broke the law on the Sabbath to save a sheep in a well

Religious attitudes to laws and unjust laws:

Islam

Give one piece of evidence

“Allah does command you…when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice” (Surah 4:58)

What does Christianity teach about crime?

Sin is a part of human nature and all have the capability to commit crimes like in the story of Adam and Eve but following God’s teachings will lead you on the right path

What does Islam teach about crime?

Evil linked with Satan who tempts people to choose wrong over right and those who do wrong are not bad people but have just given in to temptation

Causes of crime - poverty, religious teachings and responses

Christians, people should be helped to avoid stealing from poverty Sikhs, aim to create situations with no need for poor t9 steal like food in langars

Causes of crime - greed

Christians, Ten Commandments forbid envy which often leads to greed. Sikhs, greed is one of 5 evils as it is destructive and unnecessary

Causes of crime - hate

Christianity, Jesus teaches agape, “love thy neighbour”. Sikhism, everyone created by God and all have a divine spark

Causes of crime - addiction

Christianity, against illegal drugs and support rehab Sikhism, forbids intoxicants and you are less aware and are less sensitive to others

Causes of crime - mental illness

Christianity, should treat the cause as it is most compassionate and loving way of dealing with issue. Sikhism, support person to help cope with illness

What is retribution?

A punishment enacted upon someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act

What is deterrence?

The discouraging of an action by instilling fear of the consequences

What is reformation?

The process of reforming am institutions or practice

Community service: what, aims, types of crimes used for, strengths, weaknesses

Voluntary work intended to help people

Reformation, deterrence

Minor, non-violent crimes

Provides opportunity for redemption

Provides to society

Less expensive than prison

Offender still in public and could commit further crimes

Might refuse to abide by rules like curfews

Electronic tagging: what, aims, types of crimes used for, strengths, weaknesses

A system used to monitor individuals under a court or prison order

Deterrence and retribution

Violence, knife crime

Enhances public safety by tracking offender and enforcing curfews

Limits opportunities to reoffend

Potential for technical failures

Can’t prevent all types of antisocial behaviour

Probation: what, aims, types of crimes used for, strengths, weaknesses

The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of supervised good behaviour

Retribution deterrence

Nonviolent offences, misdemeanour and first-time offenders

Reduces prison population

Cost-effective

Depends on people to monitor

Fines: what, aims, types of crimes used for, strengths, weaknesses

A monetary penalty imposed as a punishment for breaking the law

Retribution and deterrence

Summary/minor offences

Can be adjusted based on severity and offender’s ability to pay

Could disproportionately affect poorer people

Corporal punishment: what, aims, types of crimes used for, strengths, weaknesses

Intentional infliction of physical pain as a form of discipline or punishment

Deterrence and retribution Violence

Sexual offences, public order offences, offences against Shar’iah law

Sets clear moral boundaries for younger offenders

Instils respect for authority

Sever injury can have long-term implications

Mental health issues

Can increase aggression by normalising violence

Christian attitudes towards corporal punishment

Completely unacceptable as Jesus’ teaching on love and caring for people rule out any physical harm

“He who spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”

Muslim attitudes towards corporal punishment

Some argue that imprisonment is more inhumane as it deprives people of freedom and takes them away from their loved one

Feature of Shari’ah law but is that the hand of a thief is amputated but this happens infrequently and under strict criteria

“As to the thief, male or female, cut off their hands: a punishment by way of an example” (Qur’an 24:2)

Countries that follow Shari’ah law have less crime

Christian attitudes towards community service

Good as they allow chance to reform

In 2007 Church of England produced a report commending programmes for offenders that required community service, counselling

Muslim attitudes towards community service

Rarely used in Shari’ah law as not a good enough deterrent to protect society

Prisons, advantages and disadvantages

42% of adults re-convicted within one year of release

Keeps criminals away fr9m society

Isolating and strips freedom

Christian attitudes towards prisons

Reserved for serious crimes as it is a loss of liberty

Many try to support prisoners and want to see education and training facilities properly used

Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats that those who help prisoners will go to heaven as he too was an outcast

Muslim attitudes towards prisons

Under Shari’ah law used more when prisoner is awaiting trial or punishment than as a tool for reform

What is utilitarianism?

doing whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Christian attitudes towards capital punishment

“I knitted you together in your mother’s womb” - sanctity of life

Bible sets down death penalty for some crimes so it must be acceptable to God, retribution

St Thomas Aquila’s argued that peace in society was more important than reforming the sinner, utility

Jesus came to reform sinners

Jesus amended Old Testament teaching “turn t9 them the other cheek also” instead of an “eye for an eye”

Life belongs t9 God and only God can take it, do not take revenge as God says “it is mine to revenge”

Muslim attitudes towards capital punishment

Wronged person has a say in the punishment

“Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right” Qur’an 17:33

“One life for one life “ - the rule of equality

Christian attitudes to forgiveness

Forgiveness is a core belief in Christianity

Lord’s Prayer- “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”

Forgiveness is not a replacement for punishment

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

“Not seven times, but seventy times seven”

BUT…

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him”

Muslim attitudes towards forgiveness

One of Allah’s ninety-nine names is “All merciful”

Only God can truly forgive and God will only forgive those who truly intend to follow the faith properly in the future

“If a person forgives and makes reconciliation his reward is due from God”