crime and punishment Flashcards
The need for law and justice
- all groups need laws that its members must follow
- laws in business to make sure we are paid and treated fairly
- protect the weak from the strong
- keep things organised in advanced societies such as the UK
Unjust laws
Saint Aquinas said and unjust law is not a proper law because..
- if a law is unjust people will feel that it is right to break the law
- if some are unjust people may think all laws are unjust
- if laws don’t give justice people will take law into their own hands
theories of punishment
- retribution- punished in proportion to the crime e.g. kill those that kill. Believe criminals should suffer for what they have done wrong
- deterrence- if you cut someone’s hand off for stealing then they will not steal again
- reform-includes educating criminals so they gain qualifications and don’t have to turn to crime
- protection-keep criminals in prison for so long that when released they are no longer a danger
why justice is important to Christians
God is just and rewards for good whilst punishing the bad
- The Bible says God is a God of justice
- Jesus said the rich should share with the poor
- New Testament has lots of statements about how Christians should treat people fairly
why justice is important in islam
- Quran says God is just
- last day is concerned with justice
- as Khalifas they must share the earths resources equally
- Islam teaches all people should have equal rights
non-religious attitudes in favour of capital punishment
- Will deter crimes like murder and terrorism
- murderers are a threat to society this threat should be permanently removed
- The only retribution/compensation for murder is death
non-religious attitudes against capital Punishment
- could be wrongly convicted
- countries without death-penalty have lower murder rates so doesn’t work
- executed terrorists become martyrs and inspire others to become terrorists
Christian attitudes for capital punishment
- bible mentions it as a punishment for certain crimes and the Bible comes from God
- catholic and church of England churches have not condemned the use of capital punishment
- Church use it for crimes like heresy
- Aquinas said peace in society was more important than reforming sinners
Christian attitudes against capital punishment
- Jesus came to reform sinners, can’t reform the dead
- Jesus banned the old Testament law of an eye for an eye (retribution)
- human life is sacred and only God can take it away
- Jesus said turn the other cheek
muslim attitudes to capital punishment
- allowed for three crimes murder adultery and apostasy
- it is a punishment sent down by God in the Quran, do what God wants
- Muhammad himself sentenced people to death
- shariah law lays down the crimes to be prescribed death and all Muslims try to follow this
- shariah law allows victims family to be paid blood money for murder in place of the death-penalty
Christian attitudes against drugs
against all illegal drugs because..
- Saint Paul taught Christians body is a temple and should not be abused
- drugs have mental effects which makes it hard to worship God correctly
Christian attitudes against tobacco and alcohol
- bible warns against drunkenness e.g. Noah’s drunkenness brought shame on his family
- bible notes alcohol ‘impairs judgement, inflames passions and invites violence
Christian attitudes for tobacco and alcohol
- Jesus’s first miracle was turning water into wine
- Saint Paul said Christians could drink in moderation
- Jesus drank wine at the last supper
muslim attitudes to drugs and alcohol
both are prohibited as ‘haram’ (forbidden) because..
- Quran says Satan uses them to keep people from god
- Mohammed calls them ‘khmar’ (forbidden)
- seen as suicide by Muslim lawyers which is banned
- Mohammed says a number of times that Muslims should have nothing to do with alcohol
tobacco is not mentioned in the Quran so declared ‘makruh’, extremely disliked but not haram
