Crime and Punishment Flashcards
What do Christians believe about free will?
God gave humans the capacity to think and act with either good or bad intentions. We will be held accountable for our actions during judgment in the afterlife.
What do Christians think about evil actions?
Evil actions cause suffering; living a good life involves showing selfless love. Modern Christians emphasise that the devil is a metaphor of the potential for evil within us.
What does Thomas Aquinas say about the law?
We must respect the Human Law created by the state since leaders were put on place by God.
The Human Law can only be challenged in extreme cases where it contradicts God’s law.
Which religious people have rightfully broken the law and why?
Dr Martin Luther King Jr: contradicted religious duty and campaigned for black equality and rights. The Quakers (also contradicted religious duty)
Who is Elizabeth Fry?
An important early Victoria Quaker who advocated for prison reform.
Particularly concerned with the treatment of women and children. Inspired by the core Quaker teaching ‘There is that of God in all people.’
Who is John Howard?
A magistrate who wrote the book ‘The State of Prisons’ and lobbied parliament to reform the prison system to combat corruption.
Who is Frances Crook?
Non-religious Chief Executive for the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Argues that the cost of prisons, suicide rates and modern psychology and sociology help us understand the reason why people turn to crime.
How do Christians discover what is right and what is wrong?
The Bible
The Church
Conscience
The rational mind
What are your top quotes/arguments FOR corporal punishment?
‘If there is serious injury you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Exodus
‘He who spares the rod hates his children but those who loves their children is careful to discipline them.’ Proverbs
What are your top quotes/arguments AGAINST corporal punishment?
St Paul writing to the Roman Church: ‘“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.’
Physical punishments are barbaric and inhumane, as modern societies we understand human psychology more ->don’t want to fuel hatred for the state.
What are your top quotes/arguments FOR forgiveness?
‘Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?’ Jesus answered, “I tell you not seven times but up to seventy seven times.’” Matthew
The Parable of the Lost Son
What are your top quotes/arguments AGAINST forgiveness?
‘Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed.’ Genesis
Forgiveness makes it too easy for the criminal to forget the damage they’ve done. They need to pay by feeling the hatred generated by the action.
What are your top quotes/arguments FOR retribution?
Gives justice and closure ro the victims who how that the criminal has had an equal amount of pain given back .
God commands retribution justice: ‘Eye for an eye.’
What are your top quotes/arguments AGAINST retribution?
People often go to jail who should and could be treated in other ways (mental health problems or drug addictions).
‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they’re doing.’ Luke
What are your top quotes/arguments FOR capital punishment?
Principle of Utility states an action is right if it brings about the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Surveys show more people are in favour of the death penalty than against it.
It is a clear deterrent.
The Human Rights Act formally abolished the death penalty in the UK.
