crime and punishment (theme E)

• some christians believe that the punishment for a crime should be as severe as the crime committed
• the law in the uk is to protect rights and security of all citizens
• all christians believe that inhumane treatment of offenders is wrong
• some christians believe offenders should be helped so they wont offend again
• more severe punishments are reserved for more serious offences such as hate crime
• the aims of punishment

  retribution - to get your own back and get revenge
• the aims of punishment

  deterrence - to put people off from committing crimes
• the aims of punishment

  reformation - to reform and help the offender and change them for the better
• the aims of punishment

  protection - to protect the public from offenders/criminals
• the parable of the sheep and goats mentions treating prisoners well
• lords prayer quote - forgiveness


  "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"
• retribution quote - bible

  "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life"
• christians believe that suffering is a part of life but they should help others who are suffering
• PUMA HUG - reasons for crime

  poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, hate, unjust laws, greed
• christians believe that suffering can often have a good outcome as jesus also suffered through his crucifixion in order to remove the sins of humanity
• many question why god would allow his creation to suffer but others would argue that god gave humanity free will to behave as they choose
• the teachings of jesus give guidance to help christians use their free will responsibly and oppose causing suffering to others
• everyone makes mistakes which may be the cause of suffering
• reformation quote - bible

  "do not take revenge"
• prison is reserved for those who have committed serious crime, this is a loss of liberty as they are locked in cells
• christians agree that prisoners should be supported through education and training
• corporal punishment 


  punish an offender by causing them physical pain such as whipping them, this is illegal in the uk
• christians disagree with corporal punishment as it goes against jesus' teachings of love and compassion
• community service


  a punishment for minor offences such as vandalism, this gives offenders a chance to make up for what they have done and reform their behaviour. christians agree with this
• forgiveness is pardoning someone for what they have done wrong
• it is a core christian belief that christians are expected to forgive others regrdless of what they have done
• christians believe it is possible to forgive someone who has committed a crime and to believe justice is is done when they are sentenced to imprisonment
• forgiveness does not replace punishment but the lords prayer teaches to forgive
• the bible teaches that there is no limit to forgiveness and that they should follow jesus as he forgave the romans at his crucifixion
• gee walker is a christian who forgave the killers of her 18 year old son, anthony walker, as she believes it benefits both the victim and criminal
• christians believe that laws are important for keeping order in society so people may live in peace
• the death penalty was abolished in the uk in 1969
• some christians will agree with the death penalty as they believe it is a justifiable retribution for serious criminal acts such as murder
• some christians oppose the death penalty purely because they believe taking a life is wrong, they believe only god has the right to take life as he gave it to humanity
• jesus taught about forgiveness and warned people not to judge each other harshly
• the principal of utility suggests that an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness for the maximum number of people affected by it
• the principal of utility only allows the death penalty if the protection of wider society can be proven
• the death penalty goes against the sanctity of life because it teaches that only god has the right to take a life
• corporal punishment quote - genesis - bible

  "whoever sheds human blood by humans shall their blood be shed"
• sanctity of life quote - genesis - bible

  "god created humankind in his own image"