Paper 2 - Theme E Crime And Punishment Flashcards
What is the most severe sentence in the U.K.? Who is it for?
Life in prison for crimes like murder and rape
Give examples of actions that aren’t part of the law.
- giving to charity
- being compassionate and kind
- adultery being wrong yet isn’t part of the law
What may influence evil actions?
Evil intentions or a situation someone may be in
What is the Muslim and Christians belief on evil actions?
Muslims= believe humans aren’t perfect and make mistakes so evil actions may be blamed on resistance to temptation Christians = believe no one is evil but everyone makes mistakes so there is always a reason someone does wicked things
How is crime dealt with?
- in the U.K.intentions are taken into account before punishing the criminal
- under shariah law, severity of punishment depends on seriousness of the religious value breached
Give 7 reasons people commit crime
- poverty
- upbringing
- mental illness
- addiction
- greed
- hate
- opposition to unjust law
For poverty
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
- People can’t always buy food so may steal it
- Christians believe no one should have to steal so set up food banks and campaign for living wages and public services to improve
- Muslims have Zakah so no one is in poverty and the community is told to help the poor
For upbringing as a reason of crime
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
Some may have grown up where crime is a way of life
- Christians believe parents should teach their children the right way to behave
- Muslims believe the strong extended family should guide Muslims to respect the law
For mental illness
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
E.g, anger issues and depression may lead people into crime
- Christians believe causes of illness should be treated as it shows love
- muslims believe mental illness should be treated but punishment is still justified
For Addiction
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
Addiction to things like drugs may cause a person to commit worse sins
- Christians are against drugs but support rehabilitation to defeat the addiction
- in Islam addiction is no excuse for crime as drugs and alcohol are not allowed
For greed
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
Some want personal possessions that they don’t need but can’t afford and so drives them to steal
- Ten Commandments forbid it in “ you shall not covet… anything that belongs to your neighbor
- Muslims believe greed should be avoided in “ competing for more distracts you until you go in your grave”
For hate
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
It can lead to violence and aggression
- Jesus taught to love everyone including your enemies
- hatred is against Muslim morality
For opposition to unjust law,
Why may it drive people to crime?
Give a Christian view
Give a Muslim view
This could lead people to protest and break the laws
- Christians May agree but only of no violence is involved
- shariah law is believed to be gods law so can’t be unjust and so Muslims in a Muslim country can’t oppose the law
Give a Christian quote showing god put the system of government in place to rule every citizen
“Let everyone be subject to governing authorities for there is no authority except that which god has established”
What is the Christian attitude to lawbreakers
- offenders should be punished according to the seriousness of the crime
- offenders have basic human rights so shouldn’t be punished in a harmful way
- parable of the sheep and the goats “I was in prison and you came to visit me” shows it’s good to help prisoners
- some believe punishment should be as severe as the crime committed
What are the Muslim views of punishment?
- “god commands justice… and prohibits wrongdoing and injustice”
- believe it’s wrong to disobey the law
- British muslims support the U.K. legal system despite it not being shariah
- shariah punishments fit severity of the crime so doing something prohibited in the Quran is severely dealt with
- shariah punishments are intended so the offender doesn’t reoffend
What are the different types of crime?
Explain each of them
- hate crimes : Involve violence and are usually targeted at a person due to their race, religion, sexuality or gender
- theft : less serious but still results in a victim suffering loss
- murder : sometimes are classed as hate crimes and involve the victim being in great pain
Give a Christian and Muslim quote condemning murder
“You shall not murder” - Christian
“Do not take life which god has made sacred” - muslim
What are the three aims of punishment?
Retribution, to get your own back on someone
deterrence, to put people off committing a crime
Reformation, to change someone’s behaviour for the better
Give a Christian quote that supports retribution
“Life for life, eye for eye”
For retribution,
Give a Christian and Muslim attitude
- believe people should receive a punishment equal to the crime committed and Christians prefer more positive aims, “ do not take revenge… but leave room for God’s wrath for it written”
- believe people should receive punishment equal to the crime also and murderers should not always be killed as punishment and victims family can accept compensation for showing mercy to the murderer. Muslims favour retribution as actions against shariah law are against god
For deterrence,
Give a Christian and Muslim attitude
- Christians agree with this but don’t support punishments that cause physical or mental harm and oppose public punishments as they think offenders should be treated with respect
- some shariah punishments are carried out in public to deter others including amputation of the hand or execution of a murderer, “cut of hands of thieves… as punishment - a deterrent from god”
For reformation
Give a Christian and Muslim attitude
- Most Christians favour this as it has positive aims. It’s not a replacement for punishments but happens along side them
- agree with this as it’s more likely offenders seek forgiveness from god by being reformed e,g, education or financial advice. It’s not a replacement for punishment also but happens alongside it
What are 2 Christian belief’s of suffering? What quote suggests a Christian belief of suffering?
- That people suffering should be helped like Jesus used to help those suffering
- believe that suffering can bring positive outcomes “we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance”
What are the Muslim beliefs surrounding suffering and include a quote
- That suffering happens for a reason
- suffering can be a test from god and that god will never allow a person to suffer more than they can handle - “ you are sure to be tested through your possessions…if you are steadfast and mindful of god, that is the best course.”
- believe they have a duty to help those who are suffering and recognise good can come from it
What are Christian beliefs about causing suffering to others?
- Jesus taught people shouldn’t use violence in self defence
- if Christians accidentally cause suffering they are taught to apologise and repair damages caused
What are the Muslim beliefs about causing suffering to others?
- That Muslims share identity with the whole community
- if they accidentally cause suffering, they have to be honest with themselves and god and try to repair damage caused to restore relations
- believe god forgives any Muslim that acts upon their wrong action and sincerely repents
What is prison a punishment for? What does it involve?
Serious crimes, they involve a person loosing their freedom as everything for them is controlled
What is the Christian belief for prison?
What is the Muslim belief for prison?
That prisoners should be treated well, conditions should be good and they should be supported by encouraging positive activity
Prison in Muslim countries is used for keeping people awaiting their trial or punishment and some argue its a greater punishment that corporal punishment
What is corporal punishment, give examples of it and say how it’s used in the U.K.
- Its where offenders are punished by inflicting physical pain
- e.g. for theft in Muslim countries this could involve cutting of the hand
- in the U.K. as it’s considered to breach human rights
For corporal punishment,
What are the Christian beliefs?
What are the Muslim beliefs?
Most Christians do not support this and it doesn’t seem to reform the offender and can give negative effects
This is used in some Muslim countries and is often carried out in public as it can act as a deterrent. It’s part of shariah law and can be used against adultery, drinking alcohol and gambling e.c.t
What is community service as a punishment?
Who is it for? why is it used?
- It’s where people do supervised work in the community
- it’s punishment for minor offences
- used as it allows people a chance to reform and can be used to treat mental conditions, addiction and provide counselling and education
For community service,
What are the Christian beliefs?
What are the Muslim beliefs?
Christians agree with this for those who will benefit as it allows reparation for offenders wrongs and deters them from committing future offences
Shariah law doesn’t see this as a sufficient deterrent to protect society from future criminal behaviour
What are ta’azir crimes
Community crimes like fraud or anti social behaviour
What is the Christian interpretation of forgiveness for those who commit crimes?
That they should be forgiven as far as possible but the offender should be punished to ensure justice is done
What is the Christian aim for punishment?
To reform as the punishment should benefit the offender
Give an example where Christians shown forgiveness
When Jesus forgave those who crucified him after being sentenced to death: “father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”
How does the Lord’s Prayer show Christians being told to seek forgiveness
“Forgive is our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”
What are the two types of forgiveness in Islam? Back them up with a quote for each of them
Forgiveness from god - only god can truly forgive as only he knows true intentions. This lines up with god’s compassionate and merciful nature “let them pardon and forgive…god is the most forgiving and merciful”
Forgiveness from humans - people should forgive each other to over power goodness over evil so offenders should seek forgiveness of the victim before expecting god’s. “Pardon each others faults and god will grant you honour”
Why is the death penalty illegal in the U.K. and expand on each point?
- innocent people may die, it’s hard to be sure there is no chance a person isn’t guilty and people died and later were proven innocent
- principle of utility, if the death penalty is used as retribution then its wrong
- sanctity of life, this suggests the death penalty is wrong but the ‘eye for an eye’ shows that justice over rides sanctity of life.
What are the main reasons the death penalty is illegal in many countries
- innocent people may die as since the 1950s 3 innocent people in the U.K. were executed
- if it’s used as retribution then it’s wrong despite it can be justified if it’s going to protect society
- human life is sacred so the death penalty is suggested to be wrong but some believe justice overrides this and the ‘eye for an eye’ teaching supports this
Give points that suggest Christians agree with the death penalty
- Genesis and exodus teach retribution
- retribution is justified for those who commit the worst possible crimes
- it can protect society by removing criminals who could cause lots of harm
- it deters people from committing horrific crimes
Give some points that suggest Christians disagree with the death penalty
- Ezekiel teaches wrong doers should be reformed
- they believe reformation us the best aim of punishment to give people 2nd chances
- there is little evidence the death penalty is a deterrent
- god gave life and only he has authority to take it
What do muslims believe about the death penalty? Include quotes
- It’s favoured and shariah law suggests it should be used for crimes like murder and rape evident in “do not take life, which god has made sacred except by right”
- “but if the culprit is pardoned by his aggrieved brother…the culprit shall pay what is due in a good way” showing the victim is encouraged to show mercy by accepting money from the offender to save their life
