Philosophy: Issues of Good and Evil

Question 1

What is morality?

Answer 1

Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong

Question 2

What is conscience?

Answer 2

An inner voice which keeps a person on the right track and helps us make the right choice

Question 3

How do people make moral decisions?

Answer 3

Conscience
The law
Religious leaders of teachings
Login/Reason
Past experiences
Other beliefs and values

Question 4

What is Absolute morality and Relative morality?

Answer 4

Absolute morality: when a person has a principle such as ‘it is wrong to kill’ and never alters it
Relative morality: when a person holds moral principles but is prepared to alter it in certain situations

Question 5

What are the causes of crime?

Answer 5

Poor education
Poor parenting
Poverty
Mental health issues
Addiction
Peer pressure
Media
Unemployment

Question 6

What are Christian attitudes towards crime and punishment?

Answer 6

Christianity believe in forgiveness (retribution shouldn’t be an aim of punishment)
Forgiveness and punishment go hand in hand
They believe in support restorative justice programmes in prison
Jesus taught compassion
Some become prison chaplains to help prisoners reform

Question 7

What does the Bible say about justice?

Answer 7

'’But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream’’

Question 8

What are Muslim attitudes towards crime and punishment?

Answer 8

Shari’ah law outlines rules and punishments
Many Shari’ah law punishments are made in order to deter wrongdoers
Punishment is seen as essential in keeping people from straying
Punishment does not remove sin
Muslims hope that offenders will repent and seek forgiveness

Question 9

What does the Qur’an say about justice?

Answer 9

'’Indeed, God orders justice and good conduct and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression’’

Question 10

What is a prison chaplain and what is their role?

Answer 10

A minister, priest, etc
Attached to non-religious institutions such as prisons, hospitals, etc
Their job is to provide counselling for the inmate

Question 11

What did Kate Johnson (Quaker and Prison chaplain) say about prison chaplains?

Answer 11

'’You are there primarily for the inmates… we do offer them enough compassion’’

Question 12

What are Christian attitudes towards the death penalty?

Answer 12

Only God has the right to take a life
Execution goes against the sanctity of life
Jesus taught Christians to be compassionate and forgiving
Reform over execution
Turn the other cheek
Conservative Christians advocate the death penalty (an eye for an eye)

Question 13

What does the Bible say about the death penalty?

Answer 13

'’Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’’

‘‘Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed’’

Question 14

What are the Muslim attitudes towards the death penalty?

Answer 14

Islam accepts it
It should be issued for the most severe crimes
Forgiveness is important but so is the protection of the ummah (Muslim community)
Punishment is central to justice
The Qur’an forbids taking a life

Question 15

What does the Qur’an say about the death penalty?

Answer 15

'’Nor take life- which God has made sacred, except for just cause’’

Question 16

What are arguments for the death penalty?

Answer 16

It acts as a deterrent
It allows you to get revenge
‘‘I believe that people who go out prepared to take the lives of other people forfeit their own right to live’’ -Obama
Jonathan Vass murdered his ex girlfriend after raping her, he was jailed for 30 years

Question 17

What are arguments against the death penalty?

Answer 17

Life is sacred, shouldn’t be ended by humans
violates basic human rights
Evidence shows that it doesn’t deter crime
It discriminates against those who are oppressed
Can be used as a political tool
‘‘I do not think that God approves of the death penalty for any crime’’ -MLK

Question 18

What is a case study on forgiveness?

Answer 18

Julie Nicholson, 7/7 bombings in London
Her daughter died
She cannot forgive her daughter’s killers
‘‘It is very difficult for me to… lead people in words of… forgiveness when I feel very far from that myself’’

Question 19

What are Christian attitudes towards forgiveness?

Answer 19

Christianity is a religion of forgiveness and love and compassion
The Bible instructs Christians to forgive
Christians can only accept forgiveness from the Lord if they are forgiving
Catholics believe you can be forgiven through atonement and confession
Evangelical Christians believe forgiveness of sins is granted by God

Question 20

What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

Answer 20

'’Forgive their sins, as they forgive those who have sinned against them’’

Question 21

What are Muslim attitudes towards forgiveness?

Answer 21

Those who forgive others will be rewarded by God
Forgiveness is the path to peace
2 types of forgiveness: God’s and human’s
Humans need both types
There is no limit to God’s mercy
God will forgive those who truly repent
Prophet Muhammad was forgiving

Question 22

What does the Qur’an say about forgiveness?

Answer 22

'’If you pardon and overlook and forgive- then indeed God is Forgiving and Merciful’’

Question 23

What is good?

Answer 23

Something that is considered morally right and to our advantage

Question 24

What are Christian attitudes towards Good?

Answer 24

God created a world that is good
God also gave people free will
Free will can be used to stray from good
God has shown people how to live a good life

Question 25

What are Muslim attitudes towards Good?

Answer 25

Everyone is born with a natural instinct to distinguish good and bad
All humans have free will
Muslims are expected to follow in the example of Muhammad
God will judge those according to their faith and actions
Those who do good will reach heaven
‘‘Whoever does righteousness will enter paradise’’

Question 26

What are Christian attitudes towards Evil?

Answer 26

People are given free will and choose evil
Some Christians believe evil causes suffering so that we can develop a moral soul out of experiences
God doesn’t interfere with human affairs to prevent evil, that would mean interfering with free will
Original sin
Life is a test
The reason of evil will never be understood by humans
Evil comes from Satan

Question 27

What are Muslim attitudes towards Evil?

Answer 27

Part of God’s plan
Life is a test
Good and evil acts are noted by two angels
Muslims will answer for their deeds on Judgement day
Evil comes from Shaytan

Question 28

What does the Qur’an say about Evil?

Answer 28

'’Among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them’’

Question 29

What are the causes of suffering?

Answer 29

Disease
War and Conflict
Human greed
Ambition
Inequality
Poverty
Terrorism
Natural disasters

Question 30

What are Christian attitudes towards suffering?

Answer 30

Seen as a test
Punishment for sin and is a result of the original sin (Catholic)
A part of God’s plan
Allows us to appreciate the good in this world
Allows us to relate to Jesus
Suffering strengthens our faith in God

Question 31

What are Muslim attitudes towards suffering?

Answer 31

Everything that happens if part of the will of God
It’s a test
Allows Muslims to prove their faith by resisting temptation
Allows us to follow in the example of the Prophet
Good can come from suffering

Question 32

How can you ease suffering?

Answer 32

Training/Education
Prayer
Fund-raising
Counselling
Medical care
Building works
Disaster relief
Rehabilitation programmes

Question 33

What are Christian attitudes towards evil and suffering?

Answer 33

Catholics believe that due to the original sin, it’s easier to do wrong
Fate is not a Christian idea
Some believe in predestination
Free will given to humans by God

Question 34

What are Muslim attitudes towards evil and suffering?

Answer 34

Humans are puppets
Everyone has free will
Many believe in predestination

Question 35

What does the Qur’an say about evil and suffering?

Answer 35

'’God has power over all things’’

‘‘Whatever of good befalls you it is from God’’