Religion, Crime and Punishment 💀

• What do Christians believe about Corporal Punishment?

  Most do not support. It is negative and physically harms the person rather than reforming them.
• What do Muslims think about Corporal punishment?


  -Used in some Muslim countries

  -Serves as a deterrent

  -In Shari‘ah Law
• What would Christians think of the death penalty?

  -Some think it is good because it is retribution, deterrence and protects society

  -Some think it is bad because the best form of punishment is reformation
• What would Muslims think about the death penalty?

  -Some think it is good because the Shari‘ah law says it serves as retribution for horrific crimes. However the victim is encouraged to accept a fine from the criminal to save their life.

  -Some believe it is a misinterpretation of the Qur’an
• What do Christians believe about Forgiveness?

  Jesus said to forgive so God will forgive them. Try and remember a quote.
• What do Muslims think about Forgiveness?

  Only God can truly forgive but forgiveness is expected from everyone regardless of crime. To live a life of merciness and peacefulness, like God.
• Christian view on crime due to poverty and bad upbringing

  -Not permitted

  -Christian charities and food banks can campaign to improve public services. Parents have the responsibility to teach children.
• Muslim views on crime caused by poverty and bad upbringing

  -Zakah exists to help poor. Community should get involved.

  -Strong extended family should ensure Muslims are guided to respect the law.
• Christian views on crime caused by mental illness and addiction

  -Treating mental illness is the most loving and compassionate thing to do

  -against taking illegal drugs and excess alcohol but support rehabilitation.
• Muslim views on crime caused by mental illness and addiction

  -Although punishment is still permitted, the illness should be treated.

  -drugs and alcohol are Haram so there is no excuse for crime
• Christian views on crime caused by greed

  Ten Commandments forbid envy caused by greed. (Try to remember quote that relates to greed)
• Muslim views on crime caused by greed

  Greed is a temptation that must be avoided (Try to remember quote)
• Christian views on crime caused by an unjust law

  -Permitted only if there is no violence.

  -Martin Luther King - peaceful protests for American Civil Rights. He was head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He won the Nobel prize. He went to jail nearly 30 times.
• Muslim views on committing crimes due to unjust laws

  -Shari‘ah Law is God’s Law so cannot be unjust.

  -Raif Badawi - advocated an end to harsh religious influence on public life in Saudi Arabia. He has been subject to corporal punishment 50 times. -Festival of Ashura for Shi’a Muslims represents the struggle against injustice and oppression.
• Muslim and Christian views on hate crimes

  -Jesus said “love thy neighbour”. No crime shows love or compassion to the victim

  -Both believe only God has the right to take life
• What is deterrence?

  Preventing an action by instilling fear of consequences.

  -Christians agree with the aim of punishment but believe it should be humane

  -Shari’ah punishments can be very harsh but state to fit the seriousness of the crime.
• What is retribution?

  Society is proportionately getting its own back at the criminal

  -Literal Christians believe “eye for an eye”

  -Liberal Christians prefer less harmful aims of punishment

  -Muslims favour it because it doesn’t always have to be death as a punishment. Actions against the Shari’ah Law are actions against God.
• What is Reformation?

  Treatment or community service to make them a better person.

  -Christians favour this because it is a positive aim and can happen alongside other punishments.

  -Muslims believe it is necessary for offenders to seek forgiveness and become purified and more likely to be forgiven by God if you reform.
• What do Christians and Muslims believe about good and evil intentions?

  • Not all evil actions come from evil intentions. A person could be influenced.
  • In both Islam and Christianity they believe that nobody is evil nor perfect.
• What are Christian attitudes to the treatment of criminals in prison?

  • Prison is a loss of liberty, so they believe prisoners should be treated well and encourage positive activity to make their time worthwhile.
• What are Muslim beliefs about the treatment of criminals in prison?

  • In Muslim countries, prison is used less for punishment but rather as a waiting place for other punishments.
  • Other Muslims believe that taking away a person’s liberty is a greater penalty than inflicting pain.
• What are Christian attitudes towards the treatment of criminals in Corporal Punishment?

  • Most think it is not humane because it is a breach of human rights, so shouldn’t be done anyway.
• What are Muslim attitudes to treatment of Criminals in Corporal Punishment?

  • Often used in Muslim countries due to Shari’ah Law
  • Often in public
  • Deterrent
  • Used for gambling, adultery and drinking.
• What are Christian attitudes to the treatment of Criminals in Community Service?

  • they believe it is a good way to benefit criminals
  • no violence
  • reparation
  • chance for forgiveness
• What are Muslim attitudes for the treatment of criminals in Community Service?

  • Not seen as a sufficient deterrent for criminals or way to protect society in the Shari’ah Law.
  • Ta’azir crimes (community crimes) are not in the Shari’ah Law and treatment could include rehabilitation!
• What are Christian attitudes for the treatment of criminals in Capital Punishment?

  • (Agree) Genesis and Exodus teach retribution
  • (Agree) Deterrence and protects society permanently
  • (Disagree) A dead criminal cannot be given a second chance and reform
  • (Disagree) Little evidence that it actually works as a deterrent. Many murders are done for the opposite reason we might expect (some might actually want the punishment/ could be 2nd or 3rd degree murder)
• What are Muslim attitudes to the treatment of criminals in Capital Punishment?

  • Shari’ah Law favours the death penalty. Deterrent and ”fair“ retribution.
  • Some Muslims believe it is a misinterpretation of the Qur’an.
• What is an ethical reason why the death penalty has been abolished in Europe?

  Innocent people may die!

  • In the UK in the 1950’s 3 people had been pardoned due to lack of confidence on evidence.
• What is the Principle of Utility? How does it relate to the death penalty?

  • An action is right if it promotes maximum happiness to maximum amount of people.
  • If the death penalty is used as retribution it would not follow the principle of utility.
  • It protects society.
• What is the Sanctity of Life? What are beliefs on it that link to the death penalty?

  • all life is sacred because God created it. Human life should not be misused or abused.
  • Some people believe that justice overrides sanctity of life. (try to remember quote)
• What is a good intention?

  Some people believe a good action is one that doesn’t break the law.

  It doesn’t actually involve the law.

  • there are no laws telling people to give Zakah e.c.t. nor are there laws telling people to not have an abortion or commit adultery, which both Christians and Muslims believe are wrong.
• What is the Shari’ah Law?

  Laws derived from teaching from the Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah.

  This Law may seem strict but they believe it depends and is proportional to the religious crime committed.
• What do Christians think about murderers?

  -“You shall not murder”

  -Sanctity of Life
• What do Muslims think about murderers?

  “Do not take life which God has made sacred, except by right.”

  -Sanctity of Life

  -Only God has the authority to take life
• What do Christians think about thieves? Can you remember a quote?

  “Thou shalt not steal”

  • just because you need to supply food for your family it still doesn’t make it acceptable.
• What do Muslims think about thieves? Can you remember a quote?

  Hadith: The hand of the thief should be cut off.”

  -not even because of poverty can it be permitted.