Crime and Punishment

Question 1

Conscience

Answer 1

The voice in our heads that tells us right from wrong.

Question 2

Evil

Answer 2

An act which is very wicked or immoral.

Question 3

Forgiveness

Answer 3

Letting go of anger towards someone for a wrong they have done you.

Question 4

Justice

Answer 4

A belief in what is right and fair.

Question 5

Law and order

Answer 5

Rules of our society and how they are enforced.

Question 6

Morality

Answer 6

A person’s or religion’s beliefs of what is right and wrong in behavior and action.

Question 7

Sin

Answer 7

An act which goes against God’s will; a religious offense.

Question 8

Suffering

Answer 8

A feeling of pain, distress, or hardship caused by the actions of others when they commit a crime.

Question 9

What are the three types of crime?

Answer 9

Crimes against the person, crimes against property, and crimes against the state.

Question 10

What are some causes of crime?

Answer 10

Upbringing, mental illness, poverty, addiction, greed/hate, opposition to existing laws.

Question 11

Deterrence

Answer 11

A harsh punishment that puts off the criminal and others from doing the crime again or in the first place.

Question 12

Retribution

Answer 12

The idea that punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done wrong.

Question 13

Reformation

Answer 13

A punishment to try to change the behavior of the criminal - to be able to safely put them back into society.

Question 14

What are some common aims of punishment?

Answer 14

Protection, vindication, reparation, compensation, deterrence, retribution, and reformation.

Question 15

Capital Punishment

Answer 15

The death penalty administered officially by the state as punishment for certain crimes.

Question 16

How many countries still retain capital punishment?

Answer 16

57 countries have it but only 21 regularly use it. Amnesty International is campaigning against it because it violates two human rights.

Question 17

What are some non-religious arguments against capital punishment?

Answer 17

Retribution is uncivilized, most murders are ‘spur of the moment’ so it wouldn’t deter, killing a murderer doesn’t end the pain of loss for the victim’s family, it makes executioners seem as bad as criminals, executing terrorists would make them martyrs, innocent people can be executed after an unfair trial, and it is inhumane to put anyone through death row.

Question 18

What are some non-religious arguments for capital punishment?

Answer 18

Deterrence, justice for the victim and their family, life sentences don’t mean life, terrorists murder indiscriminately and can’t be reformed, it is a waste of resources housing criminals for their entire lives, the death penalty has been used for centuries around the world, and it demonstrates that society won’t tolerate some crimes.

Question 19

What is a religious argument against capital punishment?

Answer 19

All life is sacred, including that of the murderers (Sanctity of Life).

Question 20

What is a religious argument for capital punishment?

Answer 20

An ‘eye for an eye, life for a life’.

Question 21

Why do we need law and justice?

Answer 21

To ensure a stable society, to stop anarchy and destruction, to let people know what behavior is acceptable, to protect people, and to keep normal daily life running smoothly.

Question 22

What is an example of Christian rules?

Answer 22

The Ten Commandments.

Question 23

What is an example of Muslim rules?

Answer 23

Shari’ah Law.

Question 24

What is the difference between a crime and a sin?

Answer 24

A crime is an offense against the law, and a sin is an offense against God.

Question 25

Why do Christians believe in justice?

Answer 25

The Bible says that God is just and will treat everyone fairly on Judgement Day, and Jesus said that everybody should be treated equally and fairly.

Question 26

Why do Muslims believe in justice?

Answer 26

The Qur'an describes Allah as just, there are many Hadith showing Muhammad acting justly, Shari'ah is based on justice for all, Zakah is based on the idea of justice, and the Qur'an teaches that Allah wants us to treat each other fairly.

Question 27

What do Christians believe about crime?

Answer 27

Christians are strongly against crime because committing a crime means you have caused suffering to another person. Many Christians believe in helping people to tackle the causes of crime.

Question 28

What do Muslims believe about crime?

Answer 28

Muslims believe that those who commit crimes will be judged on Judgement Day and may not enter paradise, and that a life of crime doesn't allow believers to focus on Allah.

Question 29

What do some Christians believe causes evil?

Answer 29

The abuse of free will or the Devil.

Question 30

What do some Muslims believe causes evil?

Answer 30

The Devil tempting people to do evil things.

Question 31

What is a Christian view on the aim of punishment?

Answer 31

While the Old Testament agreed with retribution, most Christians follow Jesus' teachings of love and believe that reformation is the best aim. Christianity does agree with deterrence but not through harsh punishments.

Question 32

What is a Muslim view on the aim of punishment?

Answer 32

Shari'ah law has tough punishments in the hope of deterrence and retribution, but some Muslims believe that the harsh punishments will reform the criminals as it will help them to see what they have done wrong.

Question 33

What is a religious attitude towards suffering?

Answer 33

Religions condemn suffering caused by human action towards others.

Question 34

Why do Christians believe that forgiveness is important?

Answer 34

Jesus taught forgiveness, he died to bring forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humans, and God is supposed to be merciful to those genuinely seeking his mercy.

Question 35

Restorative Justice

Answer 35

Where a criminal meets the victim, which can help offenders realize the damage they have caused, discouraging further offenses, and sometimes helping the victim to find forgiveness.

Question 36

Why do Muslims believe in forgiveness?

Answer 36

They believe that Allah is merciful and compassionate and that on the Judgement Day, Allah will not forgive those who were unforgiving in their lifetimes.

Question 37

Corporal Punishment

Answer 37

Punishment by physical pain.

Question 38

What do Christians believe about corporal punishment?

Answer 38

Christians are mostly against this as Jesus was against violence.

Question 39

What do Muslims believe about corporal punishment?

Answer 39

Shari'ah law permits corporal punishment, but many Muslims think that it is too severe.

Question 40

Prison

Answer 40

A building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime that they have committed or while awaiting trial.

Question 41

What do Christians believe about prisons?

Answer 41

Some Christians believe that prisons should be difficult to be more of a deterrent, but others want better conditions to support the reform of the criminals.

Question 42

What do Muslims believe about prisons?

Answer 42

Some Muslims believe in reform in prisons, but others believe that it only makes the matter worse as most prisoners do reoffend.

Question 43

Community Service

Answer 43

A sentence requiring the offender to perform a certain amount of unpaid labor in the community. It can be a positive process for criminals aiming to reform.