Crime and Punishment

Question 1

What is a consequentialist?

Answer 1

An action is right or wrong based on the outcome

Question 2

What is a deantologist?

Answer 2

An action is right or wrong based on the action itself

Question 3

What is reformation?

Answer 3

Idea that punishment should try to change criminals so that they will not commit crimes again. Linked to rehabilitation

Question 4

What is a deterrence?

Answer 4

Idea that punishments will be at such a nature that they will put people off committing crimes

Question 5

What is capital punishment?

Answer 5

The practise of executing someone because they have committed a serious crime, as decided by the state

Question 6

Strengths of capital punishment

Answer 6

Punished criminals for their wrongs.
Puts fear into criminals to commit crimes.
God also authorised the death penalty in the Old Testament

Question 7

Problems with the death penalty

Answer 7

Execution might not be smooth
Someone could get framed and put on the death penalty
Everyone has a right to live
God creates life and only he has the right to take it away. Sixth commandment “Do not commit murder”

Question 8

What is punishment?

Answer 8

A penalty inflicted as retribution for an offence

Question 9

Types of punishment

Answer 9

Probation
Fine
Community service
Imprisonment
Suspended punishment

Question 10

Why punish?

Answer 10

Protection
Deterrent
Reform
Vindication
Revenge
Repayment

Question 11

What is restoration justice?

Answer 11

It is a problem solving approach to crime that involves the offender, the victim and the community

Question 12

Countries where capital punishment is legal

Answer 12

China, Egypt and Algeria

Question 13

Christian arguments for capital punishment

Answer 13

1. Bible sets down the death penalty for some crimes.
2. Saint Thomas Aquinas argued that peace in society was more important than reforming the sinner.

Question 14

Christian arguments against capital punishment

Answer 14

1.They believe Jesus came to earth to reform sinners
2. Christians believe in the sanctity of life - meaning that life is holy and belongs to God, there only god has the power to take life

Question 15

What is forgiveness?

Answer 15

It’s the act of pardoning an offender

Question 16

What does the Bible teach about forgiveness?

Answer 16

1. The Lord’s prayer (Matthew 5:9 - 14) - It includes the phrase “Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that have been done to us”.
2. Parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21 - 35) - God will forgive a person who genuinely repents, but this person should also be prepared to forgive others