Crime And Punishment Flashcards
What’s the definition of crime?
An offence which is punishable by law, for example stealing or murder
What’s punishment?
Something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty of breaking the law
What’s poverty?
Being without money, food or other basic needs of life
What’s mental illness?
A medical condition that affects a person’s feelings, emotions or mood
What are the main 6 reasons for crime?
- Greed
- Upbringing
- Poverty
- Addiction
- Mental illness
- Opposition to unjust law
What are different understandings of evil?
- Moral evil
- Natural evil
What is the Christian response to evil?
-If someone committed moral evil, eg murder- Christian’s would not believe it was their place to judge, they would trust that God would punish the person for his or her action
-Christian’s would help those who are suffering
What are the 3 aims of punishment?
- Retribution
- Reformation
- Deterrence
What’s retribution?
The act of taking revenge
“An eye for an eye”
What does reformation mean?
The action or process of reforming an institution or practice
What does deterrence mean?
The act of making someone decide not to do something
What’s a hate crime?
Crimes, often including violence, that are usually targeted at a person because of their race, religion, disability or gender
What are 2 Christian attitudes towards lawbreakers?
- Some believe the punishment should fit the crime
- Others believe offenders should be helped not to re-offend
What’s free will?
The ability of people to make decisions for themselves without constraints
What are 2 Christian attitudes towards suffering?
- Pray for those who suffer
- Christian’s believe that evil and suffering are not God’s fault
- If someone is suffering it may be gods greater plan
- Help those who suffer “ love thy neighbour “
What is corporal punishment?
Punishment of an offender by causing them physical pain
(Illegal in the uk)
What’s community service?
A way of punishing offenders by making them do unpaid work in the community
What do Christian’s think about corporal punishment? ( against it )
Against it
-Jesus taught us to forgive other people rather than seeking revenge
(Death penalty)
- “forgive not 7 but 77”
What do Christians think about community service?
It’s part of their duty to act in a moral way, and this involves helping others around them
What’s forgiveness?
An intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger
What are some christian teachings on forgiveness?
Responsibility of humanity to forgive sins
-as Jesus gave the disciples the commandment to go out, teach and forgive sins.
“ forgive not 7 but 77 “
“ forgive those who trespass against us “
What’s the death penalty?
Capital punishment
-a form of punishment in which a prisoner is put to death for crimes committed
What is the sanctity of life?
All life is holy as it’s created and loved by God
-Christian’s believe human life should not be abused
Arguments supporting the death penalty.
- permanently removes most dangerous criminals
- cheaper than keeping them in prison
- retribution: life for life
“Eye for eye , “ tooth for tooth “
Arguments against the death penalty.
- contradicts sanctity of life
- families and friends will suffer
- innocent people could get killed by mistake
