Crime and Punishment Flashcards
-What is justice?
-the maintenance of what’s right
What is an example of justice and injustice?
-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.
What is a case study showing injustice?
-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.
What is the importance of justice for the victim (3)?
-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.
Why do Christians believe in justice (3)?
-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’
What are non-religious attitudes to justice?
-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.
What is a crime and sin?
-a crime is an action against the laws of the state.
-a sin is an action against God’s will.
What are five causes of crime and give an example for three of them?
-poverty.
-lack of role-models.
-racism (murder of George Floyd).
-abuse of power (Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assaults against women)
-drug abuse (County Lines)
What are three Christian teachings about crime?
-‘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.
What are three ways that Christians take action to end crime?
-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.
What is the story of the adulterous woman?
-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’
What are the results of good/evil actions to Christians?
-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.
How do Christians explain evil and suffering (3)?
-abuse of free will.
-The Fall.
-Vale of Soul Making.
What are humanist/atheist responses to evil and suffering (3)?
-Imperfect World (Big Bang).
-Unfairness of life.
-Abuse of free choice
What is the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (including a quote and explanation)?
-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.
What are four types of punishment?
-death penalty.
-jail time.
-fine.
-community service.
What are five aims of punishment?
-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.
What are secular arguments for reformation and protection?
-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.
What are secular arguments for deterrence and retribution?
-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.
What are Christians attitudes towards forgiveness?
-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.
What are Christian attitudes towards retribution?
-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.
What are Christian attitudes towards deterrence?
-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.
What are Christian attitudes towards reformation?
-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.
What is the definition of forgiveness aqnd reconciliation?
-forgiveness is to stop blaming someone for what they have done wrong.
-reconciliation is bringing people together after conflict.
