Crime and Punishment

Question 1

-What is justice?

Answer 1

-the maintenance of what’s right

Question 2

What is an example of justice and injustice?

Answer 2

-an example of justice is where someone commits murder and is then found guilty of this and put in prison for life.
-an example of injustice is when someone is convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.
-Christians believe that the treatment of offenders should take into consideration the reason for the crime.

Question 3

What is a case study showing injustice?

Answer 3

-Paris Hilton was sentenced to 45 days for drunk driving.
-However, she only served half the sentence due to not eating prison food.
-Police suggested that due to her high profile, life in prison must’ve been difficult for her.

Question 4

What is the importance of justice for the victim (3)?

Answer 4

-to make them feel safe.
-to make it seem fair that a person has been punished.
-to make a victim feel that the criminal has ‘paid’ for their crime.

Question 5

Why do Christians believe in justice (3)?

Answer 5

-God is just + requires his people to act justly too, he judged people fairly ‘each person will be judged according to what they’ve done’
-The Bible has strong emphasis on justice e.g the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) has guidelines on how to behave showing justice, ‘stand up for justice’
-Jesus taught that everyone should be treated fairly, ‘do to others as you would have them do to you’

Question 6

What are non-religious attitudes to justice?

Answer 6

-they agree that justice is important, it seems fair to them that those who do wrong are punished.
-Christians share these views but would add that it is God’s intention.

Question 7

What is a crime and sin?

Answer 7

-a crime is an action against the laws of the state.
-a sin is an action against God’s will.

Question 8

What are five causes of crime and give an example for three of them?

Answer 8

-poverty.
-lack of role-models.
-racism (murder of George Floyd).
-abuse of power (Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assaults against women)
-drug abuse (County Lines)

Question 9

What are three Christian teachings about crime?

Answer 9

-‘God loves those who give cheerfully’, charity work should be done to end poverty.
-‘Jesus came to fulfil the law’, Christians should not commit crimes and break the law.
-‘we are all children of God’, this illustrates that just like parents, if we commit sins we will be punished by God.

Question 10

What are three ways that Christians take action to end crime?

Answer 10

-CAFOD works with third-world countries and provides food,shelter and clothing (reducing poverty).
-Church Youth groups are set up to support young people who don’t have positive role-models.
-Christian Aid work in countries where there is racism and promote equality.

Question 11

What is the story of the adulterous woman?

Answer 11

-The Bible teaches that no one is free from sin + we should offer forgivenss and help.
-In the Bible, a woman is accused of adultery and is brought up to Jesus and he is asked if she should be stoned.
-he says, ‘let those without sin cast the first stone’

Question 12

What are the results of good/evil actions to Christians?

Answer 12

-they believe good actions (living their life according to the Bible) will be rewarded in the afterlife.
-they believe evil actions will result in God punishing them in hell.

Question 13

How do Christians explain evil and suffering (3)?

Answer 13

-abuse of free will.
-The Fall.
-Vale of Soul Making.

Question 14

What are humanist/atheist responses to evil and suffering (3)?

Answer 14

-Imperfect World (Big Bang).
-Unfairness of life.
-Abuse of free choice

Question 15

What is the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (including a quote and explanation)?

Answer 15

-the parable of the sheep and goats teaches we suffer because life is a test.
-the Parable of the Sheep and Goats states, ‘righteous to eternal life’
-this illustrates that anyone can access heaven if they perform good deeds for others like Jesus did.

Question 16

What are four types of punishment?

Answer 16

-death penalty.
-jail time.
-fine.
-community service.

Question 17

What are five aims of punishment?

Answer 17

-reformation-the idea the punishments should try and change criminals so that they will not commit crimes again.
-retribution-ensures criminals pay for what they have done.
-deterrence-the idea that punishments should be of such a nature that they will put people off committing crimes.
-protection-to keep society safe.
-forgiveness-to pardon someone for what they have done wrong.

Question 18

What are secular arguments for reformation and protection?

Answer 18

-reformation ensures people change and get second chances, we are all human and make mistakes.
-would make society a better place, fewer criminals.
-however, criminals may not change.
-protection helps ensure no one is harmed.
-it helps the criminal not have an opportunity to make a mistake again.
-outdated as capital punishment is illegal in the UK.

Question 19

What are secular arguments for deterrence and retribution?

Answer 19

-deterrence means lower crime rates so will ultimately make society a better place, consequences are positive.
-however, capital punishment is legal in the US and has not decreased crime rates.
-retribution ensures justice is served, helps the family move on.
-it ensures that there is a consequence for their actions as it was done by free choice.

Question 20

What are Christians attitudes towards forgiveness?

Answer 20

-it allows people to move on which God would want as he is benevolant.
-Jesus taught, ‘forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven’
-people should repent first, if the person is not sorry, this is difficult.
-some crimes are too big to forgive, e.g murder as it breaks the Decalogue commandment.

Question 21

What are Christian attitudes towards retribution?

Answer 21

-it may only be done as revenge. The Bible promotes justice, not revenge.
-the punishments may be too severe, and the Bible states, ‘an eye for an eye’, so punishments should be proportionate to the crime.
-allows victims to feel like they can move on as justice is served, the Bible states, ‘stand up for justice’
-‘an eye for an eye’, people have to pay a fair price for the things they’ve done wrong.

Question 22

What are Christian attitudes towards deterrence?

Answer 22

-discourages others from committing the same crime. This is why capital punishment was allowed in biblical times.
-prevents further sinners/acts against God taking place, ‘the wicked shall perish’
-punishments may need to be severe in order to deter others. The Bible promotes love and compassion, not severe retribution.
-may not help the current victim/their family. This is because forgiveness, as Jesus taught and moving on helps to heal the pain caused by the crime, not severe punishments that can’t bring the person back.

Question 23

What are Christian attitudes towards reformation?

Answer 23

-gives the criminal a second chance. Jesus promoted this when he reformed Zacchaeus the tax collector.
-will ultimately make society a safer place. The Bible teaches, ‘ go and be reconciled with them’, Christians should promote aims of punishment that bring people back together and make society a better place.
-‘those who live by the sword, shall die by the sword’, therefore if someone has committed murder, their life should be taken away +they don’t deserve a second chance.
-may not help the victim move on, some Christians argue a fair punishment needs to be served due to the teaching.

Question 24

What is the definition of forgiveness aqnd reconciliation?

Answer 24

-forgiveness is to stop blaming someone for what they have done wrong.
-reconciliation is bringing people together after conflict.

Question 25

What are Christian attitudes towards forgiveness for offenders?

Answer 25

-offenders can be reintegrated within the community.
-this can be done through Christian organisations like Street Pastors.
-it is important to Christians that offenders realise the wrongness of their actions and make retribution to those they have wronged.

Question 26

What is restorative justice?

Answer 26

-this brings together the offender and the victim of a crime to try and restore peace.

Question 27

What are three teachings about forgiveness and explain them?

Answer 27

-The Bible states, ‘do to others what you would’ve done to you’. This illustrates that if you want to be forgiven yourself, then forgive others.
-The Bible states,’but if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins’. Jesus died on the cross to bring reconciliation and forgiveness between God and humanity so we should follow him.
-Jesus taught, ‘forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven’. This illustrates that humans make mistakes and Christians should forgive them as they are willing and able to change.

Question 28

What are three reasons why Christians support reconciliation?

Answer 28

-Jesus died on the cross to ensure our reconciliation with God. Therefore, we should follow his example and re-unite with people who have wronged us.
-Christians should work together. The Bible states, ‘first go and be reconciled with them’, we should not argue and instead unite and forgive.
-if you reconcile with them, you are showing them you are truly strong. The Lord’s prayer states, ‘forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us’.

Question 29

What is the use of torture and what are Christian responses to it?

Answer 29

-an act which causes severe pain/suffering for purposes such as obtaining information.
-such as starving, mock executions and preventing them from sleeping.
-The Bible preaches agape love (unconditional love), Jesus said, ‘love your enemies’
-Jesus condemned those who wanted to stone the adulterous woman, suggesting only God has the right to punish.

Question 30

What is human rights and what are Christian responses to it?

Answer 30

-these are fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every person and cannot be taken away.
-such as, right to education,freedom from torture.
-humans rights should be protected, ‘love your enemies’ like Jesus taught.
-Situation Ethics teaches you must do the most loving thing. This includes allowing prisoners to basic necessities (food and shelter).

Question 31

What is a fair trial and what are Christian responses to it?

Answer 31

-this is where the person accused of the crime has evidence against them/defence put forward.
-right to a public hearing, right to be heard within a reasonable time.
-Justice is emphasised in the Bible. The Bible states. ‘ stand up for justice’
-Christians believe we are all made in the image of God (imageo dei). Therefore, everyone deserves to be treated equally.

Question 32

What would a Christian say about the treatment of criminals?

Answer 32

-Jesus shows the importance of treating prisoners kindly when he says visiting prisoners is one of the actions the righteous will be rewarded for in heaven (Parable of the Sheep and Goats).
-The Bible states, ‘bless are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy’, this illustrates that Christians believe criminals deserve to be treated with forgiveness and compassion.
-Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman but encouraged her to change her ways. Therefore, criminals should not be punished too harshly but helped to reform.

Question 33

What are purposes of the death penalty(4)?

Answer 33

-to provide punishment for the most severe crimes committed.
-to act as a deterrent to other criminals.
-to make victims feel as though punishment has been given.
-to make sure the offender cannot commit the same crime again.

Question 34

What are Christian arguments for capital punishment?

Answer 34

-the Old Testament set capital punishment as a penalty, ‘whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed’.
-Neither the Roman Catholic/Anglican Church have retracted their support for state instigated capital punishment.
-Christian leaders such as St Thomas Aquinas have supporteed capital punishment to preserve the peace of society.

Question 35

What are Christian arguments against capital punishment?

Answer 35

-Christians believe life in the Sanctity of life and only God has the right to take life.
-Jesus teaches forgiveness, not retribution. In the story of the adulterous woman, he says, ‘let those without sin cast the first stone’
-St Paul teaches against retribution. He said, ‘Do not repay evil for evil…do not take revenge’

Question 36

What are humanist and atheist attitudes to capital punishment?

Answer 36

-Humanists generally oppose the use of the death penalty, they believe there is a possibility of error.
-Atheists may support/oppose the use of the death penalty.
-Some will think the most severe crimes justify this punishment , while others think the death penalty means the criminal escapes rather than being given justice (long prison sentence).

Question 37

What are Christian responses to non-religious attitudes of capital punishment?

Answer 37

-Christians will recognise that there is some agreement between their views and those held by atheists and humanists.
-Many Christians maintain that taking life under any circumstances is wrong + therefore death penalty should not be used.