Crime and Punishment key words and defintions

Question 1

Crime

Answer 1

An offence which is punishable by law (e.g. murder, theft)

Question 2

Judgement

Answer 2

Deciding whether someone should be punished and what that punishment should be

Question 3

quote on judgement

Answer 3

‘anyone who murders shall be subject to judgement’ (Matthew 5:21)
‘do not judge, or you too will be judged’ (Matthew 7:1)

Question 4

Punishment

Answer 4

Something legally done to someone found guilty of breaking the law

Question 5

Evil

Answer 5

The opposite of good, a force of negative power (the devil is the personification of it)

Question 6

Hate crime

Answer 6

A crime (often violence) targeted at someone because of their race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender

Question 7

quotes about hate crime

Answer 7

‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28)
‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31)

Question 8

criminal law

Answer 8

The law dealing with crimes

Question 9

Civil Law

Answer 9

The law dealing with disputes between people (eg divorces)

Question 10

Retribution

Answer 10

An aim of punishment – to get your own back

Question 11

quote for retribution

Answer 11

‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ (Exodus 21:24-25 – just remember that it was originally about not going OTT with punishment – only the same amount of force back, no more)

Question 12

Deterrance

Answer 12

An aim of punishment – to put people off committing crimes

Question 13

quote for reformation

Answer 13

Key quote: ‘Forgive 70 x 7’ (Matthew 18:22)
Key passage: When Jesus is arrested, Peter strikes and cuts off one of the soldier’s ears. Jesus rebukes him and says he should not retaliate.

‘Society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes’ (Pope Francis)

Question 14

Reformation

Answer 14

An aim of punishment – to change someone’s behaviour for the better

Question 15

Free will

Answer 15

the ability of people to make decisions (particularly moral decisions) for themselves.
Key Bible passage is Genesis 3 when God gives Adam and Eve free will

Question 16

Prison

Answer 16

A secure building where offenders are kept for a period of time set by a judge

Question 17

Corporal Punishment

Answer 17

Punishment of an offender by causing them physical pain

Question 18

Capital Punishment

Answer 18

The death penalty.

Question 19

quote about capital punishment

Answer 19

‘Thou shalt not murder’ (The Ten Commandments)

Question 20

Sanctity of Life

Answer 20

All life is holy and created by God and should be protected

Question 21

Community service

Answer 21

Making offenders do unpaid work in the community

Question 22

Forgiveness

Answer 22

Showing mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done

Question 23

quote on forgiveness

Answer 23

‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us’ (Lord’s Prayer)
‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (Jesus on the cross – Luke 23:34)

Question 24

case studies:

Answer 24

Charleston church shootings (2015, racist motives, gunman shot and killed 9 people in an African Methodist Church in Charleston. The relatives forgave him)

Anthony Walker (2005, London, racist killing with an axe. Sister said she forgave them, and left the judgement up to God)

Alan Greaves (2012, church organist killed on his way to Midnight Mass – wife forgave them because that is what he would have wanted, but this doesn’t mean no justice)