Catholic attitudes

• Different causes of crime:

  • poor moral choices
  • poverty
  • drug / alcohol abuse
• Christians see reformation as main aim of punishment as Jesus taught love and forgiveness.
• Should be punishment as justice = important but Good = ultimate judge
• Catholics agree the law is very important.
• Widely accepted: poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem and substance abuse can sometimes explain crimes.
• Some at greater risk of becoming offenders due to birth circumstances.
• For Catholics, sinful behaviour can…

  • plead to personal suffering
  • cause offence to God + exclusion from heaven
  • lead to being cut off
• Criminal justice system there to enforce laws and punish crime.
• Government makes laws which govern our behaviour.
• Crime = any offence that is punishable by law.