Crime And Punishment: Need For Law And Justice Flashcards
Why are laws needed
All groups need rules that it’s members must follow
Laws in business make sure we are paid and treated fairly
Protect the weak from the strong
Keeps things organised in advanced societies such as the UK
Must be a connection between law and justice
St aquinas said an unjust law is not a proper war 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 law are unjust
If laws don’t give justice people will take the law into their own hands
If people think the legal system is not working it may lead to a civil war
Theories of punishment
Retribution: punished in proportion to 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 and will put other people off stealing
Reform: include educating criminals so they gain qualifications and don’t have to turn to crime
Protection: keep criminals in prison for so long that when they are released they are no longer a danger
Christian attitudes to justice
Justice is important to christians
God is just and rewards the good whilst punishing the bad
Believe in justice because:
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
Islam and justice:
Quran says god is just
Last day is concerned with justice
As khalifahs they must share the earths resources equally
Islam teaches all people should have equal rights (zakah)
Capital punishment:
Non religious arguments in favour
Will deter crimes like
murder and terrorism
Murders are a threat to society and the if capital punishment ensures they won’t reoffend
The only retribution/compensation for murder is death
Capital punishment:
No religious arguments against
Could be wrongly convicted
Countries without death penalty have lower murder rates so it doesn’t work
They don’t suffer they just have their life taken away
Christin attitudes to capital punishment: against
Against:
Jesus came to save (reform) sinners. Can’t reform the death
Jesus banned the Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye”
Human life is sacred and only god can take it away
Jesus said turn to the other cheek
Christian Attitudes to capital punishment: for
Some see it as a good way to keep order in society because…
Bible mentions it as a punishment for certain crimes and the bible comes from god
Catholic and C of E churches have not condemned the use of capital punishment
Church used it for crimes like heresy
Aquinas said peace in society was more important than reforming sinners
Islamic attitudes to capital punishment: agree
Allowed for 3 crimes: murder, adultery and apostasy (someone working against Islam) must be clearly proven
Allow it because:
It is a punishment set 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
Islamic attitudes to capital punishment: against
Some Muslims are against it because they believe the Quran recommends capital
Sharia law allows victims family to be paid blood money for murder in place of death penalty
U.K. Laws on tocbacco
Can’t sell to under 18s
Adverts for tobacco
products are banned
U.K. Law on Alcohol
Supervised under 16s can go anywhere in a pub
Over 16s can have an alcoholic drink with a meal if accompanied by an adult
Health problems: tobacco
Increased risk of getting over 50 medical conditions
Can cause impotence in men
Health problems: drugs
Death through overdose
Major cause of mental illness
Health problems: alcohol
Causes liver and stomach problems
Mental health problems
Social problems: tobacco
Watching loved ones die
Unpleasant smell
Social problems: drugs
Dealers are criminals
Major cause of gang crime
Social problems: alcohol
Causes 41% of all deaths through falls
65% of murder victims have been drinking
Christian attitudes to drugs and and alcohol
All against illegal drugs because:
St. Paul taught a christians body is a temple and should not be abused
Drugs have mental effects which make it hard to worship God correctly
Christians attitudes towards tobacco and alcohol: allow it
They have 2 different attitudes: okay if used in moderation because
Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine
St. Paul said christians could drink in moderation
Jesus drank wine at the last supper
Christian attitudes to drugs and alcohol: against
Bible warns against drunkenness e.g Noah’s drunkenness brought shame on the family
Bible notes alcohol “impairs judgment, inflamed passion and invites violence”
Muslim attitudes to drugs and alcohol
Both prohibited as forbidden because:
Quran says Satan uses them to keep people from god
Muhammad calls them “Khamr” (forbidden)
Seen as suicide by Muslim lawyers which is banned
Muhammad says a number of times that Muslims should have nothing to do with alcohol
Tobacco is not mentioned in the Quran so declared as “makruh” which means extremely disliked but not “haram”
