Crime and Punishment

Question 1

What is civil disobedience?

Answer 1

The active refusal to obey certain laws, demands and commands of a government

Question 2

It’s right to break the law:

Answer 2

> for self-defence it could cause someone to suffer
if they morally disagree with it eg. women not being able to drive cars but if she did it is likely they are a morally sound person anyway
denying people their rights eg Jim Crow laws, aparthide

Question 3

It’s not right to break the law:

Answer 3

> if you break one, you could break more laws leading to chaos

Question 4

What is the harm principle and who made it?

Answer 4

John.S.Mill laws are fine but when they start causing harm then it causes a problem
>eg. we should have freedom of speech but as soon it is hate speech then there should be laws against it

Question 5

Where are some examples in the bible of resistance to the state and civil disobedience?

Answer 5

> Exodus 1:15-22 Hebrew midwives refused to carry out the order to kill all newborn Hebrew males

Question 6

What is the act of omission?

Answer 6

> Bonhoeffer a famoud German theologian knew all about resistance to tyranny because he tried to assassinate Hitler
act of omission means not saying anything is also a crime so in this case it is better to break the laws

Question 7

Crime

Answer 7

An act or omission which is an offence and punishable by law

Question 8

Criminal

Answer 8

One who commits an offence punishable by law

Question 9

Civil law

Answer 9

Concerns disputes between private individuals or groups

Question 10

Examples of crimes against the person

Answer 10

Causing direct harm eg assault, murder, hate crimes etc

Question 11

What is a hate crime?

Answer 11

A crime motivated by prejudice on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation

Question 12

Examples of crimes against property

Answer 12

Burglary, theft, trespassing etc

Question 13

Examples of crimes agaisnt the state

Answer 13

Terrorism, selling state secrets, organised crime(eg transporting drugs)

Question 14

Why do people commit crime?

Answer 14

greed, hate, poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, opposition to unjust law(denying basic human rights)

Question 15

What is consequentialism?

Answer 15

The rights or wrongs of an action are decided by the consequences that it produces

Question 16

What is deontology?

Answer 16

Actions are right or wrong in themselves. In other words they are ‘intrinsically’ wrong regardless of the consequences

Question 17

Examples of capital punishment

Answer 17

Death penalty eg in USA, Iran,China

Question 18

Examples of corporal punishment

Answer 18

Physical punishment eg flogging/caning

Question 19

Examples of community service

Answer 19

Not physical harming the criminal-it’s custodial and they live in community not prison eg litter picking

Question 20

Advantages of going to prison

Answer 20

They might learn their lesson
Protect the community
Possibility for reforming people

Question 21

Disadvantages of going to prison

Answer 21

Doesn’t deter people
When people come out, it’s hard to reintegrate into society
Overcrowding-not safe conditions
Very expensive

Question 22

What are the 6 aims of punishment?

Answer 22

Deterrance(put people off committing crimes) vindication(make sure law is respected) protection(protect society from the criminal), reformation(make them a better person) retribution(make them pay for their crimes) reparation(compensate the victim of the crime)

Question 23

What does Christianity say about how criminals should be treated?

Answer 23

Justly-Christians should reform sinners and not be judgemental, some would consider protection and deterrence as important aims of punishment(for safety in society)

Question 24

How does the New and Old Testament differ with the aims of punishment?

Answer 24

Old-retribution because it reflects the crime they committed but this punishment is limited

Question 25

Define capital punishment

Answer 25

The legally authorised killing of someone as punsihment for a crime(usually murder)

Question 26

What are some non-religious arguments in favour of capital punishment?

Answer 26

Murderers are a great threat to society and they can’t kill again if they’re executed, families need justice and retribution, it’s a deterrent, it costs more to keep them in prison for a life sentence than it would to execute them

Question 27

Christian example of forgiveness

Answer 27

Stephen Lawrence’s family forgave the murderers

Question 28

Non-religious arguments againt capital punishment

Answer 28

Sometimes there are false imprisonment, execution is a violation of the right to life, it’s cruel and inhuman and degrading, it doesn’t deter crime stats show that countries who don’t use death penalty have a lower murder rate, murderers don’t expect to get caught so don’t think about the punishment, they have no chance to change their life or contribute positively to society

Question 29

What are Islams views on capital punishment?

Answer 29

Ultimately one’s eternal punishment is in God’s hands but there’s place of punishment in this life too

Question 30

Define forgiveness

Answer 30

Forgiveness is a change in feelings and attitude to a person from negative to positive

Question 31

Define mercy

Answer 31

Forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm

Question 32

Define reconciliation

Answer 32

When 2 people or a group of people who have disagreed or fought with each other make up

Question 33

Define repentance

Answer 33

It is a commitment to personal change in life and regret for past ways

Question 34

A parable from the bible about forgiveness

Answer 34

The parable of the unforgiving servant

Question 35

Define the principle of utility

Answer 35

an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness

Question 36

Which religion permits corporal punishment?

Answer 36

Shari’ah law-intended as a deterrent