crime & punishment

Question 1

what is corporal punishment?

Answer 1

using physical pain as a way of punishing someone for wrongdoing

Question 2

what are the aims of punishment?

Answer 2

Reformation - changes criminal (most imp.)
Deterrence - puts people off crime
Retribution - revenge on criminal

Question 3

Should religious people be more lenient on criminals who struggle with addition? YES

Answer 3

-addicts need help to overcome addiction
-rehabilitation may be more useful than punishing offender (reformation)
-allowances should be made, addicts unable to make good devisions while addicted
“love thy neighbour”

Question 4

Should religious people be more lenient on criminals who struggle with addition? NO

Answer 4

-those who break law deserve to be punished
-victims of crime deserve justice
-deterrence needed to protect society
-need to take personal responsibility
“God commands justice and prohibits wrongdoing and injustice”

Question 5

Why are Christians against the death penalty?

Answer 5

• sanctity of life
• only god has right to take life
• Jesus taught forgiveness

Question 6

Why are Muslims against the death penalty?

Answer 6

-preferable to forgive

Question 7

Is prison a good or bad way to deal with criminals? FOR PRISON

Answer 7

• protects society, law stays respected
• gives offenders chance to reflect on crime, decide to reform
• system can provide medical help and social and life skills
• attend classes to prepare for outside world
• opportunities to learn strategies to cope with problems in constructive way

Question 8

Is prison a good or bad way to deal with criminals? AGAINST PRISON

Answer 8

• more likely to reoffend
• isolates criminals but does not reform them
• punished family of offender
• prison record makes it hard to find jobs, lead back to crime
• overcrowding problems, poor diet, boredom, little exercise
• other forms of punishment more suitable
• being locked up breeds resentment and intent to seek revenge on society

Question 9

FOR PRISON

Answer 9

“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”

Question 10

AGAINST PRISON

Answer 10

“Without forgiveness there’s no future”
“Injustice is a threat to justice everywhere”
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”
“Love thy neighbour”
“Blessed are the merciful”