Religious studies theme E: religion, crime and punishment

• What is prison?


  A secure building where offenders are kept for a period of time set by a judge
• Arguments for and against people who commit crimes going toprison


  For: - keeps people away from public, acts as a deterrent- teaches them not to do it again

  
  

  Against: won't be severe enough, not rehabilitated, may want to come back, not all crimes are of the same level, can't support family when they come out
• Why would some Christians agree with prison?

  Would say that there needs to be a punishment as severe as the crime.
• How would Christians treat someone in prison?

  With dignity, respect and compassion as Jesus taught
• What is the prison fellowship? Christian group that works to rehabilitate prisoners (through showing them the dignity, compassion and respect Jesu taught)
• Arguments for and against prisoners being treated with compassion


  For:-Christian views that suggest prisoners should be treated like this through the quotation" was in prison and a you came to visit me"

  - idea of reform and rehabilitation (through the Prison fellowship) as people who have committed wrongs should be taught how to do better

  Against:-prison as a form of retribution (punishment should be as severe as the crime so someone who has done wrong doesn’t deserve compassion)

  - prison as a deterrent (if we treat people in prison well then it won’t act as a deterrent and people would commit crimes)
• What is coporal punishment?

  To punish an offender by causing physical pain
• Why do Christians disagree with coporal punishments?

  - Goes against the all loving nature of God, questions beliefs about the caring, loving and forgiving Jesus, more important to focus on positive ways to help offenders realise what they have done, doesn't follow Jesus's example of treating all with respect
• Why do some Christians agree with copora1 punishment?


  Teaches offenders to not commit crimes again, is a punishment for wrong-doings
• Why do Muslims agree with coporal punishment?


  Say that imprisonment is much less inhumane as you derive a person from their family/ loved ones. Physical pain goes away quicker than mental/emotional
• What is the death penalty?

  Capital punishment; form of punishment in which a prisoner is put to death for crimes committed
• What is meant by the sanctify of life?


  The sacred or holy life belonging to God, therefore only God has the power to remove it
• Christian arguments for and against the death penalty


  For: -helps maintain order / protects society,St Thomas Aquinas said peace in Society is move important than reformation of sinners,Church of England article 37:" the cord of the realm may punish Christian men with death for nelous and grievous offenses"

  Against:Jesus came to reform sinners and Christian’s should follow in his exampleRetribution is taught throughout the bible (turn the other cheek)Life is scared so only God should take it away
• Muslim views for and against the death penalty


  For:-Principle of utility suggests an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness (so allowed is protection or society is proven)- allowed byShari’ah law

  Against:- forgiveness is preferable- Muslim peace fellowship devoted to theory of peace
• What is the principle of utility


  Actions are to be judged by usefulness/ tendency to produce benefit
• What are some arguments based on the principle of utility for the use of the death penalty?


  Act as a deterrent

  protection of public

  economic argument (cheaper than jail)
• What are some arguments based on the principle of utility and get the death penalty?

  May not always act as a deterrent

  innocent people can be executed
• What is forgiveness


  Stopping blaming someone and/or pardoning them for what they've done wrong
• What does Christianity teach about forgiveness?


  Should forgive as Jesus taught forgiveness, there is no limit to forgiveness.

  If we are willing to forgive, God, will not forgive us
• What are the two categories of forgiveness in Islam?


  Forgiveness from God and forgiveness from humans
• What does Islam teach on forgiveness?


  Forgiveness from God: Only God can truly forgive those who are truly sorry and intent to follow the faith properly (in line with gods compassion/masterful nature) there is no limit to forgiveness

  
  

  Forgiveness from humans: Forgive others as it's a way to establish good over evil human should forgive those who ask for forgiveness
• What is the one unforgivable sin in Islam?

  Shirk (comparing someone to God)
• Arguments for capital punishment (ethical)


  -Everything else doesn't deter people

  -murders can go out and re-comity the crimes

  -may lower crime rates

  -UK used to make money from selling the lethal injection

  -happens only when you have proof so innocent people would not be killed

  -people would think twice on committing the crime

  - it is a way to not commit the crime again

  -way to keep society, safer,

  -police cutbacks, mean, you can't keep everyone safe so death penalty would
• Arguments against the death penalty (ethical)


  -Taking of human life is wrong

  ,-justice system may be wrong so someone could be wrong the executed,

  -taking the life of someone is similar to murder,

  -evidence for someone may be corrupt and therefore unfair, -civilised society shouldn't kill others,

  -Martyrs and protest for cause may cause more problems in society

  - can't bring back dead

  -execution may not always be a deterrent

  -exclusion from society is worse than death
• Why would Christians be against the death penalty?


  Belief in sanctity of life, which means that only God can take away the life, not someone else
• Why would Muslims before the death penalty?


  Permitted in sharia law and says in Quaran "don't take like that Allah has made sacred excellent with right?