Crime and Punishment

• Absolute Morality / Relative Morality


  . Absolute morality is when moral rules, such as ‘it is wrong to kill’, apply in all situations

  . Relative morality is when an action is seen as right or wrong depending on the situation
• Deciding whether an Act is Wrong:

  . Religious teachings e.g. ‘turn the other cheek' or ahimsa

  . Turn to religious leaders for advice e.g. priest or guru

  . Holy books e.g. Bible or Vedus
• Main causes of crime:

  . Some of the main causes of crime are: Poverty; parental neglect; mental health issues; alcohol and drug addiction

  . Many sins are not considered crimes in modern society e.g. committing adultery (having an affair)
• The Aims of Punishment:

  . Retribution - A form of revenge

  . Reparation - Criminals should have to ‘pay’ to ‘repair’ the damage done

  · Reform - Helping the criminal to change their approach and way of life · Protection - Making sure that society is kept safe

  · Justice - To make things fair

  · Deterrence - To deter (or discourage) people from committing crimes
• Attitudes to Punishment:
• Christianity


  . Christianity: · The Old Testament says ‘an eye for an eye’).

  . This has led some to justify capital punishment

  · However, Jesus taught compassion and forgiveness not revenge

  · Christians might be opposed to capital punishment because the Bible says ‘Thou shalt not kill’
• Hinduism


  . Those who commit crime (paapa) deserve suitable punishment (danda)

  · However, Hindus might disagree with retribution as they believe people will get what they deserve through karma

  · Hindus might be opposed to capital punishment because they believe in ahimsa (non-violence)

  · Hindus also believe that all humans have atman (a part of God inside them)
• The Work of Prison Chaplains:


  . Some chaplains provide religious services or pray with prisoners

  . Support them with rehabilitation. This might involve working with parole officers

  .Help prisoners to deal with the various emotions they might feel during their sentence such as fear, guilt, loneliness and concern for their family member
• How the Work of Prison Reformers Reflects their Faith:

  . Christians believe we are all made in God’s image all should be respected

  · Jesus’ taught forgiveness

  · Hindus believe that all humans have atman (a soul) which is part of God

  . They may visit prisoners
• Capital Punishment (The Death Penalty):
• Christianity


  . 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' is one of the Ten Commandments in the Bible

  . Jesus taught forgiveness not revenge

  · However, the Old Testament says 'an eye for an eye'

  . Therefore, Christians might argue that ‘a life for a life’ is just / fair

  . This justifies retribution

  · Catholics believe that life is a gift from God; only God has the right to take life
• Hinduism


  . Goes against ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence)

  · Each person’s soul (atman) is a part of God and therefore all life is sacred

  · Those who commit crime (paapa) deserve punishment (danda)
• Other views
• For capital punishment


  . Deterrent / it might reduce crime

  · Costs less. The money saved could be spent on good causes
• Against Capital Punishment 


  . It might be the wrong person who's been convicted

  · Two wrongs don’t make a right

  · Murderers are sick people; they need treatment not punishment by death
• Christianity:


  . Jesus: we should forgive ‘not seven times, but seventy times seven. This means that there should be no limit

  . In Lord’s Prayer are the words ‘forgives us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’

  . However, some Christians might say that only God can forgive as it is he who decides who will go to Heaven

  . Some parts of the Bible encourage justice instead e.g. 'an eye for an eye
• Hinduism:


  Gandhi said ‘The weak can never forgive

  . Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong’

  · The belief that all humans have atman (a soul) which is part of God (Brahman) inside them, helps Hindus to forgive

  · The law of karma will ensure that a person suffers for their wrongdoing and so there is no need to seek revenge

  · However, Hinduism also teaches that those who commit crime (paapa) deserve suitable punishment (danda)
• Other views


  . Forgiveness is better for your wellbeing; it allows you to let go of bitterness and the desire for revenge However – · You need to make a stand or the same thing may happen again