crime and punishment

• crime

  an action prohibited by law and an individual's failure to abide by it
• causes of crime

  social - peer pressure. environmental - poverty psychological - humans are naturally greedy
• reasons for punishing crimes

  retribution - punishment must fit the crime. reparation - so they compensate for the harm done. reformation - so the criminal changes their ways.
• types of punishment

  1. fine 2. imprisonment. 3. community service.
• crime and religion 


  crime is often called sin in religious context, with religion and christianity setting a moral code for christians and may affect them spiritually.
• crime and forgiveness

  1. forgiveness is a conscious decision not to feel resentment. 2. most christians agree that there's a time for forgiveness - influenced by teaching. 3. forgiveness is easier if offender is ready to reform and won't re-offend.
• what influential ppl say on forgiveness

  Desmond Tutu - "without forgiveness there is no future". MLK - " Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a permanent attitude."
• Jesus teaching on forgiveness

  1. Jesus forgave the sinful woman "i tell you, your sins, which are many, are forgiven" . 2. Jesus forgave the thief on the cross, "In my father's house there are many rooms, i am going there now to prepare it for you." 3. Jesus on the cross, "father forgive them for they know not what they do."
• christianity and repentance

  1. Bible - forgiveness for all who repent. 2. Jesus suffered on the cross and died for your sins. 3. Parables teach repentance bring good fortune, e.g lost son, unforgiving servant.
• restorative justice

  A problem solving approach to crime which involves: 1. the offender. 2. the victim. 3. the community .
• RJ works to resolve conflict and repair harm by:

  1. helping the offender reflect on their ways and attempt to reform. 2. helping the victim see the offender's POV and be acknowledged - attempts to make amends. 3. giving them an opportunity to reparate.
• Limitations of restorative justic

  1. victim may not want to see offender, e.g rape. 2. offender may not be willing to reparate and reform. 3. community may be segregated, and not likely to work together. 4. relies on voluntary co-operation from all.
• Retribution is based on the principle of 'an eye for an eye'. This means that if someone has committed a serious crime then they will receive a severe punishment.
• why should christians support restorative justice

  1. promotes reconcilliation - Jesus, " Blessed be the peacemakers." 2. Jesus promoted forgiveness just like restorative justice, e.g the adulterous woman. 3. research shows benefits and how it helps society, and potentially even getting ppl to come to the church.