Good and evil

Question 1

Muslim beliefs of suffering

Answer 1

• suffering is part of allahs plan (Al Q’adr)
• Suffering is a test of faith and character
• suffering is a reminder of sin and the revelation of Allah
• some suffering is due to human actions
• good can come from suffering
• Part of jihad

Question 2

The need for law and justice

Answer 2

• protect weak
• create peace
• keep people safe from crinimals
• give guidlines on acceptable behaviour
• be able to live without fear
• protection from violence

Question 3

Importance of justice for the victim

Answer 3

• make them feel safe
• make it seem fair that a person has been punished for their crime
• make a victim feel criminal has ‘paid’ for the crime

Question 4

Importance of justice for christians

Answer 4

• god seen to be just and people should act the same way
• jesus taught everyone should be treated fairly and equally “do to others as you would have them do to you” Bible
• churches teach importance of justice
• God will judge people after death and forgive those truly sorry for their crimes
• Bible teaches god wants people to act justly “TO act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”

Question 5

Importance of justice for muslims

Answer 5

• key idea promoted in the Quaran
• Shari’ah law has strict rules about justice and acting fairly
• 5 pillars support ideas of justic (Zakah sharing wealth to make society fairer)
• Allah is just - 99 names
• Justice is important to allah and this is what he intended for his creation
• Muslims will be judged in the afterlife on how they treat others, so they should always act fairly and in a just way

Question 6

Muslim teachings about the problem of crime

Answer 6

• crime is a distraction from Allah
• The ummah is importand and there is a duty to look after and help others, especially those unvolved in crime or affected by it
• Its important to follow the example of muhammed who taught importance of living a good life and not commiting crimes
• islam teaches all humans made equal by allah and deserve to be treated fairly and not hurt
• crime harms allahs creation of the earth

Question 7

Muslim actions to end crime

Answer 7

Muslim chaplains
- supports muslim chaplains working in prisons
- works toward resettling prisoners when released
- provides support and mentouring both within and outside prison system

Question 8

Christian beliefs and teachings about crime

Answer 8

• Bible teaches difference between right and wrong and ignoring God’s will leads to disaster
• Ten commandments teaches actions such as killing and stealing it wrong “Thou shall not kill”
  -christians believe they should forgive sins of others in the same way god forgives their sins
• no one is free from sin so we shouldnt judge others for it
• Jesus defended adulterous woman who was going to be stoned to death by stating “who is without sin can be the first to throw a stone”

Question 9

Christian action taken to end crime

Answer 9

Prison fellowship
- supports criminals whilst in prison
-includes volunteers from local churches
- donates money to provide support
- includes letter-writing so prisoners dont feel alone

Question 10

Muslim views towards different types of punishment

Answer 10

• Protection - strongly support and believe is of paramount importance
• Retribution - believe they should strive to achieve this by giving a punishment that enables justice
• Deterrence - reduced crime and maintains order and justice, some punishments given in the quran may encourage others not to commit same crime
  -Reformation - forgiveness is important and islam teaches that allahs followers should be forgiving like him. Gives someone a chance to change their behaviour and become a better person