Issues Of Good And Evil Flashcards
Good
That which is considered morally right and to our advantage
Evil
That which is considered extremely immoral, wicked and wrong
Forgiveness
To grant pardon for an wrong doing, to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer
Free will
The ability to make choices voluntarily and independently
The belief that nothing is predetermined
Justice
Fairness
Where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity
Molarilty
Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong
Punishment
A penalty given to someone for a crime or wrong they have done
Sin
Deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law
Suffering
Pain or distress caused by injury, illness or loss
Suffering can be physical, emotional and psychological or spiritual
Absolute morality
When a person has a principle e.g. that it’s wrong to steal, and will never alter their views no matter what the circumstances are
Relative morality
When a person holds a moral principle e.g.not taking a life, but adapts it according to situations
Causes of crime
Alcohol and drug abuse Poverty Parental neglect Low self esteem Pressures from society Pressure from media Pressure from peers Pressures from personal life The presence of evil and sin within the human world
Six main aims of punishment
Retribution Reparation Reformation Protection Vindication/justice Deterrence
Retribution
Getting revenge on the person who committed the crime
They suffer like they made others suffer
Reparation
Repairing the damage done through crime
Community clean up schemes for vandals etc.
Reformation
Trying to ensure the criminal is helped to change their approach and way in life
Rehabilitate offenders
Protection
Aims to protect more people from becoming victims of crime
Prisons prevent innocent people from suffering since they’re containing criminals
Justice/vindication
Through effective punishment the government and the law can prove that it deserves respect and should be followed
Deterrence
To try and deter people from committing crimes, because they know what the punishment is and know it will be given to those caught committing a crime
Main purpose of death penalty
Christina beliefs and teachings about the aims of punishment
Believe that everyone was created with free choice to accept or reject gods ways
If people do sin or commit crimes then justice must follow, but Jesus also taught the importance of forgiveness
Most believe that to gain justice, punishment should be given and forgiveness sought
Most Christians believe that’s t the end of life god will be the final judge
Jesus taught compassion and not revenge
Most christians suggest reform and forgiveness as the ideal approach
Buddhist beliefs and teachings about the aims of punishment
A sinful or wrong act can produce bad karma which might result in rebirth in the hell states
Support should be given to help people out of a negative karmic cycle
Christian responses to the death penalty (against)
Most believe only god has the right to take a life
Thou shall not kill
Jesus taught that if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also
Jesus started ‘love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you’
Many see the above two as arguments that go against the old testaments’ “an eye for an eye”
Some would argue that the golden rule (of doing to others what you want them to do to you) conflicts with he taking of life through the death penalty
Quakers have campaigned against the death penalty for nearly 200 years because they believe all human life should be respected
Possibility they’re innocent
Inhumane
Could be painful
Easy way out- you suffer in prison
Makes you as bad as the murderer
Christian responses to the death penalty (for)
Some believe the death penalty is in keeping with the Old Testament “an eye for an eye” and genesis “whoever sheds the blood of a man, by man shall his blood be shed”
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 also argue that failure to show the seriousness of certain crimes leads to criminals not fearing serious punishment so being more prone to commit serious crime
Prevents prisons from getting too full
Prevents them from being let out of prison early and committing the crime again
Cheaper than keeping someone in prison
Buddhist responses to the death penalty (against)
It’s unnecessary because the person violating the law will bear the karmic consequences
The Dalai Lama signed the Amnesty International pledge against the death penalty, believing that it punishes the person not the action
First precept stresses the importance of not taking life
Buddhist response to the death penalty (for)
Use scriptures to highlight that killing one to save the greater good holds enough importance to allow the death penalty sometimes
Christian teachings about forgiveness
Believe god forgives them their sins if they confess them
In the Lord’s Prayer “forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us”
Jesus stated “if you do not forgive men their sins, you father will not forgive your sins
Jesus told his disciples they should forgive people “not seven times, but seventy times seven”
On the cross Jesus was to say to those crucifying him “father forgive them for they know not what they do”
Forgiveness for catholics
Forgiveness comes through confession and religious acts of atonement
Forgiveness for evangelical Christians
Forgiveness of sins comes through faith in Christ and his atonement on the cross
Buddhist teachings about forgiveness
Forgiveness is a critical step in achieving the peaceful state of mind and way of life that is important in Buddhism
The importance of metta (loving kindness) the first of the four sublime states of Buddhism
Buddha taught the importance of forgiving others and also forgiving oneself
Failure to forgive leads to suffering
One of the Buddhist principles is showing compassion towards others, including those who do wrong
Christian teaching son the origin of evil
Some believe humans were born with original sin, which results in a built-in urge to do things which are bad
Some believe god allows evil to exist to develop moral souls (soul making)
Iraneus believed that god does not prevent evil as this would interfere with free will
Hick and Iraneus believe god created humans with the potential for spiritual growth
Buddhist teachings on the origin of evil
All originates from ignorance and delusion
Greed a cravings can create negative karma
Lying and killing seen as bad
Christian teachings about suffering
Some Christians believe that suffering through evil helps develop a moral soul
For many, suffering is believed to be part of life with the purpose often not known. Story of Job teaches that it is wrong to question god about suffering, as humans would be unable to understand the ways of god
Through suffering some believe they understand the suffering of Jesus
Buddhist teachings about suffering
Dukkha can be overcome by stopping craving
Four noble truths teaches that overcoming dukkha causes a release from the cycle of birth and rebirth
Many kinds of suffering- being born, old ages sickness
Everyone experiences suffering.
Religious teachings about free will
God has given everyone freedom to live their lives
Different emphasis regarding relationships between predestination ad free will depending upon denominations
Roman Catholics- don’t view free will as existing apart from or in contradiction to grace
Buddhist teachings about free will
It’s conditioned and not free to begin with
Karma is the cause and effect in this life and in previous, countless lives
Sources of moral guidance
Conscience (voice of god in Christianity)
Bible- shows how god wants us to live
Example of Jesus
Virtues
Devil
Seen as author of evil
Fallen Angel
Debate to whether he’s an actual being or metaphor
Some believe he can psychically possess people
Has an army of demons
Wants to get between man and god
A tempter
Theodicies (there’s still god with evil)
Soul making- evil is needed so we can become spiritually perfect Original sin Suffering helps to understand Jesus Life is a test Free will Evil is beyond our understanding
Christianity and evil- logical problem
Evil challenges key qualities of god so he can’t have these qualities
Christianity and evil- evidential problem
So much evil in the world, how can god exist?
Chaplains
Traditionally a minister, priest, rabbi etc
They’re attached to institutions like prisons or schools
They’re job is to provide pastoral care
The church has been involved in supporting prisoners since prisons began
1950 act states that a prison needs a chaplain
Chaplains provide counselling to inmates, supporting them through their rehabilitation and seeing to their needs
Elizabeth fry
Quaker Christian
Believed everyone was equal and special
Shocked by how bad prisons were
Took steps to improve conditions and raised awareness of the need to educate and reform prisoners for the good of themselves and society
John Howard
Protestant Christian
Inspected prisons in the late 18th century
Found them to be diseased, dirty and corrupt
Gave evidence to parliament with recommendations that conditions and practices be improved
