Crime and Punishment: Christianity

Question 1

What is Justice?

Answer 1

Justice is doing what is right and fair based on the law.

Question 2

What is the Law?

Answer 2

The law are guidelines as to how people should behave: the rules that govern society.

Question 3

What is to punish?

Answer 3

To punish to impose a penalty on someone for doing something wrong.

Question 4

What is reconciliation?

Answer 4

Reconciliation is restoring peace and friendships between individuals or groups.

Question 5

Why is Justice important for Christians?

Answer 5

Justice is important to Christians as Christians believe that God is just and God wants his people to be so to. Also the Bible has a strong emphasis on justice. Thirdly, God is the ultimate judge and finally God’s justice is about forgiveness and mercy.

Question 6

What is Crime?

Answer 6

A crime is an action that is against the law and one which may result in punishment.

Question 7

What are Christian teachings on Crime?

Answer 7

Christianity teaches that people should obey the law.

Question 8

How do Christians work to end crime?

Answer 8

Christians see it as their duty to rehabilitate criminals. Some Christian groups work to support people when they come out of prison.

Question 9

What does Christianity teach about good and evil?

Answer 9

Most Christians believe that they should act according to the Bible.

Question 10

What is free will?

Answer 10

Free will is having the freedom to choose what to do.

Question 11

How do non-religious people view suffering?

Answer 11

They view it in different ways but the arguments include suffering is inevitable, suffering can be caused by greed, those who suffer are not to blame and humans should work to eradicate the causes of suffering.

Question 12

What are the most common types of punishment?

Answer 12

Imprisonment, community orders, curfew orders and fines.

Question 13

What do Christians believe about punishment in society?

Answer 13

They believe that there must be fair laws, if found guilty someone should be given a fair punishment and punishments should support society.

Question 14

What are the four aims of punishment?

Answer 14

Protection, Retribution, deterrence and reformation.

Question 15

What is protection?

Answer 15

Protection is keeping someone or something safe from harm.

Question 16

What is reformation?

Answer 16

Reformation is changing something for the better.

Question 17

What is retribution?

Answer 17

Retribution is a punishment that is given in revenge for a wrong that has been done.

Question 18

What is deterrence?

Answer 18

Deterrence is discouragement from doing something.

Question 19

What does reconcile mean?

Answer 19

Reconcile means to restore friendly, peaceful or agreeable relations with someone.

Question 20

What does reoffend mean?

Answer 20

Reoffend means to return to criminal behaviour.

Question 21

What is restorative justice?

Answer 21

Restorative Justice is a form of rehabilitation in which criminals are given the opportunity to meet victims of crime.

Question 22

What does the bible say about the treatment of criminals?

Answer 22

The bible says that treating prisoners with respect is important. Jesus does not condemn the adulterous woman instead he encourages her to change her ways.

Question 23

What is execution?

Answer 23

Execution is carrying out a sentence of death by killing a person.

Question 24

What is the purpose of the death penalty?

Answer 24

The death penalty means that society can rid itself of dangerous criminals, people who have committed atrocious crimes do not deserve to live, they should pay, it’s cheaper and acts as a deterrent.