Crime And Punishment Flashcards
Define judge
The Christian idea of god acting as a judge to determine whether a person goes to heaven or hell after death
Define capital punishment
Executing a criminal convicted of murder and other crimes
Define sin
An act which goes against gods will
How can you define justice?
Justice can be defined as ‘just behaviour or treatment’. For Christians, the idea of justice comes from a belief that all people are created in the image of god and should therefore be treated with dignity and respect.
What do Christians believe about the concept of justice?
Christians believe that justice is an important quality in a society. The prophet Isaiah condemns the false justice and lack of care in Israel. Jesus’ emphasis on not personally seeking revenge is seen by some Christians as a command to individuals and not whole societies. Ultimately, Christians believe that however good human justice is, it will not be of the same quality as that which god will demonstrate at the final judgement.
What are the aims of punishment?
There are many different reasons why criminals punished. Some reasons that are used to justify the idea of why it is just to seek punishment is revenge, vindication, reformation, protection and deterrence.
What is vindication, reformation, protection and deterrence?
Vindication is punishing to uphold the idea of law
Reformation is a way to improve someone by thinking about their mistakes
Protection is to protect people from those who want to harm them
Deterrence is an act of warning so everyone knows what will happen if they break the law.
What are the beliefs of the treatment to criminals?
Christians believe that criminals should be punished for their crimes, but it is also important that they are treated appropriately and fairly. Some Christians have been involved in prison visiting and helping run religious services in jails as they feel that Jesus’ parable of The Sheep and the Goats explicitly mentions prisoners are one group that the followers of Jesus should be concerned about.
What did Elizabeth Fry do?
Elizabeth Fry was a Quaker that was actively involved in improving prisons so that prisoners had access to good food, education and were being treated well.
What is capital punishment?
Capital punishment is punishing someone by an execution for murdering. It is banned in the European Union but is still practised in many countries such as some states of the USA.
Why do some people support capital punishment?
They believe there should be an ultimate punishment as murder is a violation of the will of god, who alone should take life. The bible teaches that there are some crimes which should be punished by death - “a life for a life”. The weak should also be protected so it ensures the criminal can never repeat their actions. The death penalty might be seen as kinder than a life spent in prison.
Why do people go against capital punishment?
It is unfair as it cannot be guaranteed that justice is being done. “Love thy neighbour”. Jesus taught forgiveness. They have to employ an executioner which can have a damaging effect on them, as well as it is wrong as they are taking a life. “Thou shall not kill”. Sometimes people have been executed and it was later discovered that they didn’t commit the crime.
