Issues of Good and Evil Flashcards
Christian Teachings about free will
- God has given everyone freedom to live their lives
- Denominations have different views about the relationship between predestination and free will :
• Many methodists believe that while God is all knowing and always knows what choices to make he still gives them the ability to choose everything.
• Many Lutherans believe humanity is free to choose and act in every regard except for the choice of salvation
Muslim teachings about free will (6)
- Alrhough muslims believe in predestination they believe they have free will
- Allah knows the final outcome :Surah 22.70
- Free will was granted by Allah so people are not puppets. It enables them to learn from mistakes: Surah 30.41
- The Qur’an and Hadith are used in making important decisions
- Every person had free will to choose whether to obey Allah
- On the day of Judgement the impact of free will is determined
Aims of Punishment (6)
•Retribution- A form of revenge on behalf of those who were wronged or subject to attack
•Reparation- Criminals should have the right to pay for the wrong they have done to show they are sorry and repair the damage done
• Reformation- Trying to ensure the criminal is helped to change their approach and way of life
• Protection - Making sure that all people and society itself are kept free from possible recurring if a crime by a criminal; criminals themselves also need protection
• Justice - To show that the law and authority are supreme importance and ensure that the law is upheld and justified
• Deterrence - To try and deter people from committing crimes
Christianity beliefs about aims of punishments
- Christians believe everyone was created with free choice to accept or reject Gods ways
- If people do sun or commit crimes then justice must follow, but Jesus also taught the the importance of forgiveness
- Most Christians believe that to gain justice, punishment should be given and forgiveness sought
- Most Christians believe that at the end of life God will be the final judge
- Jesus taught compassion not revenge
Islam Beliefs about aims of punishments
- The Qur’an teaches that believers should make the choice between good and evil deeds
- Punishment is seen as an important aspect of justice but forgiveness is also important.
- Allah will be the final judge on the Day Of Judgement( Qiyamah)
- Qur’an 16:90 teaches that God sets the rules and shows the way, and admonishes a way of reminding
- Some countries exercise the Shari’ah law system which sets laws and punishment’s based on the Qur’an and Sunnah
Christian reasons and responses FOR the death penalty
- Some Christians believe the death penalty is keeping in with the Old Testament: Exodus “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”
- Often this is further justified by saying that the death penalty is administered by the authorities and not carried out in anger by an individual and that it is designed to maintain law and order
- Some would also argue that failure to see how the seriousness of certain crimes leads to criminals not fearing serious punishment and so being more prone to commit serious crime
Christian reasons and responses AGAINST the death penalty (6)
- Only God has the right to take a life
- Exodus ‘Thous shalt not kill’- One of the ten commandments
- Matthew ‘ Do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’
- Matthew ‘ Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’
- Some would argue that the golden rule conflicts with taking of life through the death penalty
“ Treat others how you wish to be treated” - Quakers have campaigned against the death penalty for nearly 200 years because they believe all human life should be respected
Muslim reasons and responses FOR the death penalty (3)
- While criminals will be punished by Allah on the Day of Judgement, they should also be punished on earth
- Qur’an states ‘Never take a life’, but adds ‘except for just cause’. And it is thought that attacking or murder Islam are such causes
- In some countries, Shari’ah law is the law of the country. This sets out rules an punishments including the use of execution.
Muslim reasons and responces AGAINST the death penalty (4)
- Life is a sacred and precious gift
‘Never take life, which God has made sacred” - Some want to stress the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation within the religion
“Allah forgives all sins”
“ Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness” - Many agree that punishment is integral to the principle of justice but that there are more beneficial ways to punish an offender and keep law and order in society
-Mistakes and wrongful convictions can happen “Whoever kills an innocent person it is as if he has killed all of humanity”
Muslim views on forgiveness
2 Kinds of forgiveness: Human forgiveness and God’s forgiveness humans are in need of both because they make mistakes in their actions towards God and towards others.
- There is no limit to Gods forgiveness, especially towards those who are penitent
- ‘Whatever strikes you of disaster- it is what your hands have earned, but He pardons me’
- “Allah forgives all sins” + “ Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness”
Example- Muhammad helped an old woman who had fallen sick even though she had repeatedly brushed dust in his direction
Christian views on forgiveness
-God forgives their sins if they confess them
- ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us
- ‘If you do not forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your sins’
- Jesus said to those crucifying him ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’
Catholics: Forgiveness comes through confession and religious acts of atonement such as saying specific prayers.
Evangelical Christians: Forgiveness of sins comes through faith in christ and his atonement on the cross.
Muslim beliefs about peace and conflict (6(5))
- Islam derives from the word salaam meaning peace. Some Muslims are pacifists but many will fight to defend themselves as taught in the Qur’an ‘Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you’
- The greater Jihad refers to the inner struggle or conflict against temptations
- The lesser Jihad teaches that sometimes conflict has to happen to defend the values of Islam.
“Permission has been given to those who are being fought because they were wronged” - Muhammad fought in battle
-There are conditions for taking part in Lesser Jihad:- War must be fought for a good cause
- Be for a good cause
- Be a last resort
- Be authorised by a Muslim authority
- Cause minimal suffering
- Not target innocent civilians
Christian attitudes to peace and conflict (5(7))
- ‘Thou shall not kill’- Ten commandments
- Jesus taught to avoid conflict and be peacemakers (‘Blessed are the peacemakers)
- Some religious denominations like Quakers are pacifists
- Should never realiate
“ Do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you” - Conditions of war must
- Be Fair
- Be Declared by a government
- Be Fought to bring about good
“ The purpose of all wars is peace” - Be a Last resort
- Have a reasonable chance of success
- Use only necessary force
- Attack only legitimate targets
Christian teachings on the origin of evil
Some Christians believe that the devil is an evil power who can tempt people. In Genesis, adam and eve were tempted by the devil, and due to this disobedience humans are born with the original sin which results in an urge to do bad things.
Other Christians believe the Devil is not a person; if God is all-powerful then the Devil couldn’t exist
St Augustine believed that humans are good but free will allows them to grow towards evil
Christian teachings about suffering
- Some believe that suffering through evil helps develop a moral soul
“ We grow through difficult and painful experiences” - Many Christians suffering is believed to be part of life with the purpose often not known. It is wrong to question God about suffering as humans are unable to understand the ways of God
“ You can not understand the work of God” - Some believe through suffering they understand the suffering of Jesus.
