Crime and Punishment Flashcards
Conscience
The voice in our heads that tells us right from wrong.
Evil
An act which is very wicked or immoral.
Forgiveness
Letting go of anger towards someone for a wrong they have done you.
Justice
A belief in what is right and fair.
Law and order
Rules of our society and how they are enforced.
Morality
A person’s or religion’s beliefs of what is right and wrong in behavior and action.
Sin
An act which goes against God’s will; a religious offense.
Suffering
A feeling of pain, distress, or hardship caused by the actions of others when they commit a crime.
What are the three types of crime?
Crimes against the person, crimes against property, and crimes against the state.
What are some causes of crime?
Upbringing, mental illness, poverty, addiction, greed/hate, opposition to existing laws.
Deterrence
A harsh punishment that puts off the criminal and others from doing the crime again or in the first place.
Retribution
The idea that punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done wrong.
Reformation
A punishment to try to change the behavior of the criminal - to be able to safely put them back into society.
What are some common aims of punishment?
Protection, vindication, reparation, compensation, deterrence, retribution, and reformation.
Capital Punishment
The death penalty administered officially by the state as punishment for certain crimes.
How many countries still retain capital punishment?
57 countries have it but only 21 regularly use it. Amnesty International is campaigning against it because it violates two human rights.
What are some non-religious arguments against capital punishment?
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.
What are some non-religious arguments for capital punishment?
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.
What is a religious argument against capital punishment?
All life is sacred, including that of the murderers (Sanctity of Life).
What is a religious argument for capital punishment?
An ‘eye for an eye, life for a life’.
Why do we need law and justice?
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.
What is an example of Christian rules?
The Ten Commandments.
What is an example of Muslim rules?
Shari’ah Law.
What is the difference between a crime and a sin?
A crime is an offense against the law, and a sin is an offense against God.
Why do Christians believe in justice?
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.
Why do Muslims believe in justice?
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.
What do Christians believe about crime?
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.
What do Muslims believe about crime?
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.
What do some Christians believe causes evil?
The abuse of free will or the Devil.
What do some Muslims believe causes evil?
The Devil tempting people to do evil things.
What is a Christian view on the aim of punishment?
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.
What is a Muslim view on the aim of punishment?
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.
What is a religious attitude towards suffering?
Religions condemn suffering caused by human action towards others.
Why do Christians believe that forgiveness is important?
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.
Restorative Justice
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.
Why do Muslims believe in forgiveness?
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.
Corporal Punishment
Punishment by physical pain.
What do Christians believe about corporal punishment?
Christians are mostly against this as Jesus was against violence.
What do Muslims believe about corporal punishment?
Shari’ah law permits corporal punishment, but many Muslims think that it is too severe.
Prison
A building in which people are legally held as a punishment for a crime that they have committed or while awaiting trial.
What do Christians believe about prisons?
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.
What do Muslims believe about prisons?
Some Muslims believe in reform in prisons, but others believe that it only makes the matter worse as most prisoners do reoffend.
Community Service
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.
