Crime

• Christian attitudes to good and evil.


  - In Chrsitianity, the sheep and goats parable teaches that everyone will be judged and separated into the good (the sheep) and the bad (the goats). Jesus said that helping another person is like helping him. If you ignore someone in need of help, it's like ignoring him; "whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you will not do for me".

  - Many Christians believe that evil is caused by humans misusing their free will - they believe that the original sin people are born with makes them capable of sin.

  - Some say Satan tempts people to sin.
• Islam attitudes to good and evil.


  - Islam teaches that Allah is merciful and those who have done good things will be rewarded, but he will come down harshly on people who do bad things.

  - If people intend to do something good that will help them on the Day of Judgement, but if they do something bad, it won't count against them.

  - In the Quran, it states that Allah "has prepared for them [the wrongdoers] a painful punishment".

  - Many believe that Iblis (the devil) tries to make humans turn to evil.
• Law.

  - The law of the state define what's right and wrong, though this can differ from religious ideas.

  - Most nations believe that the rule of law is the best way of protecting people in society.

  - In the UK, laws are rules made by parliament and enforced by the courts.

  - Christianity and Islam teach that God has commanded people to follow law. But, some religious believers think that religious law is more important than the laws of the land.

  - Where religious law and state law disagree is when some believers think it's better to commit a crime if it means they avoid committing a sin.
• Christian attitudes to sin and crime.


  - There's a difference between a sin and a crime. A sin is when religious law is broken, i.e. when God's teaching is disobeyed. A crime is when the state laws are broken.

  - They have a duty to look after other people, and try to guide them to do what's right and repent of their sins.
• Muslim attitudes to sin and crime.


  - Muslims have a clear and detailed religious law (sharia'h), and this is often the basis for state law in Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia, for example, is run according to this religious law.

  - Sharia'h councils in Britain make rulings according to shari'ah law, but UK law takes precedence.
• Types of crime.


  - There are many different types of crime, including murder, theft and hate crimes.

  - Chritianity and Islam are against these as they break religious moral laws.

  - Christians are strongly against murder and theft as they break two of the ten commandments. In Islam, the Quran also condemns murder and theft.

  - Muder, often seen as the worst crime, goes against the idea of the sancity of life (held by both Islam and Christianity).

  - Theft and hate crimes disregard religious teachings that people should be treated equally, as the offender shows no concern for the victim.
• Causes of crime.

  - Poverty - people who are poor might turn to crime out of desperation and steal food/money.

  - Upbringing - some people might become criminals if they've had a troubled childhood, or if they've grown up around crime and it's become normal to them.

  - Mental Illness - this can lead people to commit crimes because they may not fully understand the difference between what is legal and illegal. Others may be easily persuaded into committing a crime.

  - Addiction - being dependant on somethings such as drugs or alcohol.

  - Greed - someone might steal or earn money illegally to get something they want but can't afford.

  - Hate - a person might do something illegal because someone has treated them badly or because they're driven by prejudice.

  - Oppostion to unjust law - a law might be broken as a protest if it's seen as unfair. In the 1950s and 60s, many people such as Rosa Parks, broke laws that treated black people unfairly in the USA.
• Christian approaches to preventing crime.


  - Christians are strongly against crime - they're told to care for others: "Love your neighbour as yourself". Committting a crime such as theft or a hate crime doesn't treat the victim as an equal. Murder is seen as destroying something created by God.

  - Chrsitians have defied laws to fight for what's right, e.g. Martin Luther King. In this case, Christians may support breaking laws: "We must obey God rathe than human beings".

  - Many Christians would help people who are struggling in poverty in order to tackle the source of crime. They might donate to charity or help out in food banks, among other things.

  - Christian groups also play their part to try to prevent crime. Street Pastors, who help people out at night, have helped to lower crime rates and prevent violence.
• The Prison Fellowship.


  - A christian organisation in England and Wales that helps prisoners by praying for them and through group activities and maintaing contact with their families. They try to make prisoners see how they have affected victims of their crimes and stop them from committing crimes again when they leave prison, e.g. through restorative justice.
• Muslim approaches to preventing crime.


  - Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgement, those who've committed crimes might not be sent to Jannah.

  - Many also believe that a life of crime doesn't allow believers to focus on what really matters - their faith and connection with Allah.

  - Murder is seen as one of the worst crimes: "whoever kills a soul...it's as if he'd lain mankind entirely". Theft and hate crimes defy Islamic teachings about people being equal.

  - Muslims hope that key elements of their religion help to reduce the likelihood of crime. Alchol, drugs and gambling are banned, reducing the chance of addiction. Parents are taught to follow teachings in the Quran to give their child the best possible upbringing, which should prevent them from turning to crime. Some mosques offer help for families too.

  - Islam teaches Muslims to speak out against unjust laws that go against Allah's teachings, so many would understand someone breaking an unjust law in protest against it.

  - In Shari'ah courts, the circumstances surrounding the crime are looked into thouroughly, so the defendant in punished accordingly.

  - Some work to try to reduce crime by helping prisoners and ex-offenders.
• The Muslims Chaplains Association.


  - Organisation which offers religious guidance in prisons in the UK.

  - It aims to reform prisoners and stop them from committing crimes after they are released, e.g. by helping them to reintegrate into society again.

  - It also tries to keep ex-offenders connected to chaplaincies in their local community so they continue to receive support after prison.
• Mosair.


  - A charity that pairs young people approaching the end of their prison sentence with a mentor. As they adjust to life outside of prison, the mentor will help them with things like finding a job and somewhere to live - with the aim that this should prevent them from returning to a life of crime.
• Christian attitudes to forgivness.


  - Jesus taught that God is always ready to forgive and that christians must accept that forgiveness, and forgive others in turn. The Lord's prayer includes a verse about forgiveness.

  - Jesus told people to seek reconciliation in any disagreements before offering a gift to God at the temple: "First forgive and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift". He also taught people to forgive "not seven times, but seventy-seven times".

  - Forgiveness is closely related to repentance. Christians believe that God's forgiveness can only come when they repent of their sins (i.e. say sorry, and turn their backs on them).
• Muslim attitudes to forgivness.


  - Muslims can seek retribution for injuries, but they're encouraged to forgive instead. Whenever the Quran describes punishment, it talks about forgiveness too.

  - Muslims believe that they must be merciful so that Allah will do the same to them on the Day of Judgement. "Allah is forgiving and merciful".

  - They believe that wrongdoing should be forgiven if the offender is sorry and tries to make amends.

  - Muhammed was forgiving, as told in the Hadith - muslims believe in following his example.

  - But some crimes are seen as so awful that forgiveness isn't an option, e.g. shirk.
• Aims of punishment.


  - Retribution: Some think of punishment as a way of taking revenge on a criminal, of making them 'pay' for what they've done. Critics of this way of thinking argue that revenge doesn't put right what they did wrong - that it's better to look for a more constructive solution.

  - Protection: If a criminal is considered dangerous, this is the idea that their punishment should protect the rest of society, e.g. imprisonment. Not many people would disagree with this, but some would argue that you protect society best by reforming offenders.

  - Reformation: Punishment should aim to change criminals so they woun't reoffend again - the idea being that nobody's inherently bad. Many religious pepole feel this allows offenders to repent and seek forgiveness from God for their actions. Programmes to reform criminals include councelling and giving them work in the community.

  - Deterrence: The idea that if a punishment is sufficiently bad in some way (e.g. expensive, embarrassing, restricting, painful), it will put people off committing the crime - they understand there are consequences. Critics argue that people don't stop to think about punishment before they committ a crime, especially if they've taken drugs or alcohol, so deterrence doesn't work.
• Christian views on the aims of punishment.


  - Some think criminals should be punished for what they've done in a just way. Some think punishment should be "eye for an eye", so focus on retribution. Other's believe they should "turn...the other cheek", and so look more towards reformation.

  - Jesus told people to look at their own behaviour before criticising others. In John 8, a woman who was accused of adultery was saved from being stoned by Jesus when he said: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." No-one did, and it reminds christians that everyone sins.

  - Being merciful is important in Christianity, and christians believe reformation is important.

  - Christians also value deterrence and protection - these help make communities less dangerous.
• Muslim views on the aims of punishment.


  - Many advocate reformation, and the idea that punishment should give criminals and opportunity to see the error of their ways.

  - The Quran mentions punishments such as whipping that are carried out publicly - the aim of this is to deter the criminal, but some believe this form of punishment can reform the offenders too, and offers retribution.

  - The Quran also says that the punishment should fit the crime "an eye for an eye" (Quran 5:45). But the Quran also explains that the offender can sometimes compensate the victim financially.
• Types of punishment.

  Depending on the severit of the crime, criminals can be given various sentences: prison, community service and (in countries where this is legal), corporal punishment.

  - Corporal punishment is when the criminal is punished through physical pain delivered by beating or flogging them. It's not used in Europe, but is used elsewhere in the world.

  - Prisoners have human rights; many argue corporal punishment goes against his and promotes violencel; some may argue that the suffering and pain would put people off reoffending.

  - Religious people are often in favour of community service. They believe it allows the offender to repay their debt to society yet still lead a normal life, which should help to ensure they don't reoffend.

  - Religious people are often in favour of community service. They believe that it allows the offender to repay their debt to society yet still lead a normal life, which should help to ensure they don't reoffend.
• Christian attitued towards corporal punishment.


  - Most believe that prisoners have the right to be treated fairly - many want better conditions in prison and visit offenders in prison.

  - Some think that life in prison should be difficult in order to make offenders think twice about crime.

  - Majority of christians are strongly against corporal punishment - Jesus was against violence, saying "all who draw the sword will die by the sword". The Bible says that "Whoever spares the rod, hates their children", suggesting that disciplining children through corporal punishment is not only allowed, but advocated. However, some may say this goes against the idea of Christian compassion.

  - However, there are examples in the Bible of corporal punishment being used on criminals, so they might be used to argue that it's acceptable in circumstances.
• Muslim attitudes to corporal punishment.


  - The Quran teaches that prisoners should be treated fairly.

  - However, some argue that treating prisoners harshly can be more effective in reforming them.

  - Under shari'ah law, corporal punishment is permissible for certain crimes, such as drinking alcohol and stealing.

  - "[As for] the thief...amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as as a deterrent from Allah".

  - However, there are rigorous rules about the evidence needed before using corporal punishment, and many Muslim countries don't actually use them. Some believe these punishments are too severe, but don't respect the offender's human rights.

  - Some are against community service as they believe it's too easy and doesn't stop reoffending.
• Arguments for the Death Penalty.


  - Risk of death acts as a good deterrent to violent criminals than a prison sentence.

  - If you execute a murderer, it's impossible for them to kill again. Imprisoned murderers have been known to order killings from jail or to reoffend when released on parole. In cases like these, the suffering of the criminal could potentially protect many people.

  - Utilitarianism is the idea that the best course of action creates the best balance of good and bad results, e.g. it could be used to argue that killing criminals, although bad for them, would be good for the majority of society.
• Arguments against the Death Penalty.


  - Killing as a punishment is just as bad as murder - many religious people an Humanists are against any for of killing.

  - It doesn't give the offender the chance to reform.

  - There have been many cases where someone has been proved innocent after being executed.

  - Life is sacred and should be preserved (Sancity of life).

  - Many religious believers think God alone can decide to end someone's life.
• Chrsitian views on Capital Punishment.


  - Many are opposed; doesn't allow reform or show mercy; Jesus said to set aside "eye for an eye" and told people to "love your enemies"; many against violent nature of capital punishment.

  - Some in US believe it is good; protects innocent; "whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed".
• Muslim views on Capital Punishment.


  - Quran outlins crimes punishable by death; however, encourages victims to take compensation; Muhammed said death could be a punishment in three cases, "the married adulterer, a life for a life, and the deserter of Din (Islam)". This is reflected in shari'ah law.

  - However, some Muslims believe that Allah, not humans, should decide when life ends - they don't agree with Capital punishment.
• Law


  A rule created by a country that must be obeyed, or face legal punishment.
• Crime


  Any action which is against the law.
• Original sin


  The belief that all people inherited the tendency to sin from Adam and Eve.
• Criminals


  People found guilty of breaking a law and facing legal punishments.
• Evil


  Believed to originate from the devil, who tempts people to do evil.
• Good actions


  Actions that promote well-being and positivity.
• Evil actions


  Actions that cause suffering.
• Reasons for crime


  Factors like poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, and hate that contribute to criminal behavior.
• Christian views on stealing


  Christians condemn stealing and believe in helping others so they do not need to steal.
• Christian views on murder


  Christians are against murder and believe in the sanctity of life.
• Christian views on hate crimes


  Christians oppose hate crimes and believe in the equality of all humans.
• Retribution


  Punishment matching the severity of the crime, disliked by Christians for promoting revenge.
• Deterrence


  Using punishment as a warning to deter others from committing crimes.
• Reformation


  Aim of punishment to change criminals positively and give them second chances.
• Reformation of Criminals


  May involve group therapy sessions, counselling, treatment, and understanding the harm caused.
• Christian Views on Causing Suffering

  Christians are against causing suffering to others because Jesus taught love for one another.