Issues of good and evil

• what is the definition of suffering?

  Suffering is pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotion/psychological or spiritual
• what is the definition of sin?

  Sin is deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law
• what is the definition of punishment?

  Punishment is a penalty given to someone for a crime or what they have done wrong
• what is the definition of morality?

  Morality is principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong
• what is the definition of justice?

  Justice is fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity
• what is the definition of free will?

  Free will is the ability to make choices voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is pre-determined
• what is the definition of forgiveness?

  Forgiveness is to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer
• what is the definition of evil?

  Evil is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong
• what is the definition of good?

  good is considered morally right, beneficial and to our advantage
• what are the 6 main aims of punishment?

  retribution

  reparation

  reformation

  protection

  justice

  deterrence
• what is retribution?


  a form of revenge on behalf of those who were wronged or subject to attack
• what is reparation?


  criminals should have the right to 'pay' for the wrong they have done to show they are sorry and 'repair' the damage done
• what is reformation?


  trying to ensure the criminal is helped to change their approach and way of life
• what is protection?


  making sure that all people and society itself is kept free from possible recurring of a crime by a criminal; criminals themselves also need protection
• what is justice?


  to show that the law and authority are of supreme importance, and ensure that the law is upheld and justified
• what is deterrence?


  o try to deter people from commiting crimes, because they know what the punishment is, and know it will be given to those caught committing a crime
• what are the christian beliefs and teachings about the aim of punishment?

  christians believe that everyone was created with free choice to accept or reject gods ways. jesus taught compassion not revenge

  if people do sin or commit crimes then justice must follow, but jesus also taught the importance of forgiveness
• what are the islam and beliefs and teachings about the aims of punishment?

  the qur'an teaches that believers should make the choice between good and evil deeds. Allah will be the final judge on judgement day

  some countries exercise shari'ah law system which sets laws and punishments based on the qur'an and the sunnah
• christians response to the death penalty (against)

  -most christians believe only god has the right to take a life

  -one of the 10C is "thou shalt not kill"

  -quakers have campaigned against the death penalty for nearly 200 years because they believe all human life should be respected

  -some christians would argue that the 'golden rule' conflicts taking of the life through the death penalty
• christian responses to the death penalty (for)

  -some christians believe the death penalty is in keeping with the old testament

  -"an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth"

  -some would argue that failure to show the seriousness of certain crimes leads to criminals not fearing serious punishments so being more prone to commit serious crimes
• islam responses to the death penalty (against)

  • a growing number of muslims disagree with the death penalty, calling for it to be abolished
  • quote; "never take a life, which god has made sacred"
  • some muslims want to stress the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation within the religion
• islam responses to the death penalty (for)

  • while criminals will be punished by god on the day of judgement, they should also be punished on earth
  • qur'an states "never take life" but adds "except for just cause". and it is thought that murder, or attacking islam are such just causes
  • in some countries shari'ah law is the law of the country. this sets out rules and the punishments including use of executions
• christian teachings about forgiveness

  • christians believe god forgives them their sins if they confess them
  • jesus told his disciples they should forgive people "not seven times but seventy seven times"
  • for catholics forgiveness comes through confession and religious acts of atonement
  • for evangical christians, forgiveness of sins come through faith in christ and his atonement on the cross
• islam teachings about forgiveness

  • there are 2 types of forgiveness, human and gods forgiveness. human beings need both as they make mistakes towards god and others
  • according to the qur'an there is no limit to gods forgiveness especially to those who are penitent
  • the example of muhammad includes an occasion where he helped an old woman who had fallen sick, even though she had repeatedly brushed dust in his direction
• case studies on forgiveness (christianity)

  • gee walker
  • mother of anthony walker who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in liverpool 2015
  • as a christian she felt it is important to follow the examples and teachings of jesus and forgave her sons killers
  • "i have to forgive them. i cannot hate. hate is what killed anthony"
• case studies on forgiveness (islam)

  • kahled hosseini
  • he became a doctor and moved to america but many of his family remaining in afghanistan were imprisoned or disappeared
  • he became a goodwill envoy commissioner for refugees and set up the khaled hosseini foundation
  • this provides education, healthcare and economic opportunities in afghanistan
• christian teachings on the origin of evil

  • some christians believe human are born with original sin, which results in a built-in urge to do things that are bad
  • some christians believe god allows evil to exist to develop moral souls
  • iraneus believed that god does not not prevent evil as this would interfere with free will
• islam teachings on the origin of evil

  • all that happens is a part of gods plan (Al-qadr)
  • humans are given free will and their actions will be answered to on judgement day
  • many muslims believe shaytan tempts humans into evil ways, but it can be resisted
• christian teachings about suffering

  • some christians believe that suffering through evil helps develop a moral soul. this is known as soul making
  • for many christians suffering is believed to be a part of life with the purpose often not known
  • the story of job teaches that it is wrong to question god about suffering, as humans would be unable to understand the ways of god
  • some christians believe they understand the suffering of jesus. for catholics it is a mystery concept which is represented in the 5 sorrowful mysteries of the rosary
• islam teachings about suffering

  • suffering can be a test to demonstrate faith in the will of allah
  • it is important to help others who are suffering through the giving of zakat
• christian teachings about free will

  • god has given everyone the freedom to live their lives
  • many methodists believe that while god is all-knowing and always knows what choices each person will make he still gives them the ability to choose everything
  • many roman catholics do not view free will as existing apart from, or in contradiction, to grace
• islam teachings about free will

  • although many muslims believe in predestination they believe they have free will
  • allah knows the final outcome
  • free will was granted by allah so people are not puppets, it enables them to learn from their mistakes
  • the qur'an and hadith are used in making important decisions
  • each person has free will to choose whether to obey allah
  • on the day of judgement the impact of free will is determined