Crime and punishment

• Crime


  an offence which is punishable by law e.g. stealing/murder.
• Punishment


  something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty of breaking the law.
• Evil


  The opposite of good; a force/personification of a negative power that's seen as destructive in many traditions and against God.
• Poverty


  Being without money/food/basic needs of life.
• Mental illness


  medical condition that affects feelings/emotions/moods/ability to relate to others.
• Addiction


  Physical/mental dependency on a substance/activity which is very difficult to overcome.
• 2 beliefs about laws

  Most religions instruct followers to keep laws of country in which they live. They should break a law only in certain circumstances (protect life/challenged to break key principle of own religion).

  
  

  Religions recognise that laws are for our own and society's good and safety so must be right. Most laws aren't unlike religious ones anyway.
• Types of crime (3)

  -person, property, state
• Causes of crime- upbringing

  morals of family/friends/neighbourhood are a factor, as is whether a person is surrounded by crimes/criminal activity.
• Causes of crime- poverty

  no alternative way to survive - while Christians condemn stealing, keen to make sure nobody is so poor they use poverty as excuse for stealing.
• Causes of crime- Greed

  In UK wealth is seen as sign of status. Greed can lead to crime (theft/fraud). In 10 Commandments. Christians are taught not to covet - means they shouldn't be jealous of what someone else has.
• Causes of crime- Addiction


  may need money to fund an addiction. Most denominations of Christianity don't forbid drinking alcohol, but for Catholics, drunkenness is a sin/no denomination encourages excessive drinking.
• Causes of crime- Mental illness


  may have no understanding of right/wrong/no feeling of guilt or compassion/victim of abusive upbringing.
• 2 contrasting beliefs about evil

  - Outside religion some believe we have capacity to do evil - part of our mental make-up. Evil depends on our upbringing, the influences in our lives and when those influences are bad, they trigger/sow seeds for evil actions. Evil isn't a force within us but a psychological phenomenon so person has potential to be evil.

  
  

  -Most religious people believe it's the action that's evil, not the person, they're not themselves evil, so can be brought back to good ways. This then affects how people view punishments too.
• Quote for reformation

  Jesus said, 'love thy neighbour?' Many Christians believe we should show agape to everyone and do the most loving thing e.g. help the individual to reform.
• Quote for peace


  The Bible says, 'let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,' This justifies to Christians the belief that laws are important for keeping order in society so people may live in peace.
• Theft quote “You shall not steal” from 10 commandments
• murder quote “ You shall not murder” 10 commandments