Religion, Crime and Punishment

Question 1

Reasons for Crime (Christianity) - A quote suggesting greed is no excuse for theft

Answer 1

“You shall not covet… anything that belongs to your neighbour” - Exodus (Ten Commandments)

Question 2

Reasons for Crime (Islam) - A quote suggesting that greed is a temptation that leads to crime, so should be avoided

Answer 2

“Competing for more distracts you until you go to your grave” - Qur’an

Question 3

Reasons for Crime (Christianity) - A quote suggesting Christians believe God created the system of government to rule over every citizen to help society live in peace without fear of danger, so everyone must obey the law

Answer 3

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” - Romans

Question 4

Attitudes to Lawbreakers and Different Types of Crime (Christianity) - A quote suggesting Christians should show love to all offenders to earn their place in heaven

Answer 4

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats - “I was in prison and you came to visit me” - Matthew

Question 5

Attitudes to Lawbreakers and Different Types of Crime (Islam) - A quote suggesting law must be respected and that lawbreakers must receive repercussions for their actions

Answer 5

“God commands justice… and prohibits injustice” - Qur’an

Question 6

Attitudes to Lawbreakers and Different Types of Crime (Christianity) - A quote showing the taking of a life purposefully is wrong in Christianity

Answer 6

“You shall not murder” - Exodus

Question 7

Attitudes to Lawbreakers and Different Types of Crime (Islam) - A quote showing the taking of a life is wrong in Islam

Answer 7

“Do not take life which God has made sacred except by right” - Qur’an

Question 8

Three Aims of Punishment (Christianity) - A quote showing that it is not the place of society to give retribution - that should be left for God to decide

Answer 8

“Do not take revenge… but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’, says the Lord” - Romans

Question 9

Three Aims of Punishment (Islam) - A quote interpreted in Shari’ah law as meaning criminals should receive back the same injuries their criminal actions caused

Answer 9

“We prescribed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye” - Qur’an

Question 10

Three Aims of Punishment (Christianity) - A quote that some Christians may interpret as meaning criminals should receive back the same injuries their actions caused

Answer 10

“Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” - Exodus

Question 11

Three Aims of Punishment (Islam) - A quote suggesting the use of public punishments to deter people from committing crimes in Shari’ah law

Answer 11

“Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are man or woman, as punishment for what they have done - a deterrent from God” - Qur’an

Question 12

Religious Attitudes to Suffering and Causing Suffering to Others (Christianity) - A quote from Paul, who suffered at many points during his life, suggesting we can learn and grow from suffering

Answer 12

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” - Romans

Question 13

Religious Attitudes to Suffering and Causing Suffering to Others (Islam) - A quote suggesting that Ibis tempts people into suffering, which tests their faith in God, but to follow God is the best way to come out of it

Answer 13

“You are sure to be tested through your possessions and persons; you are sure to here much that is hurtful… If you are steadfast and mindful of God, that is the best course” - Qur’an

Question 14

Religious Attitudes to Forgiveness (Christianity) - A quote suggesting that, because Jesus forgave those who crucified him as he was dying, Christians should try as far as possible to forgive others. God expects Christians to show forgiveness to someone, no matter their crime

Answer 14

“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” - Luke

Question 15

Religious Attitudes to Forgiveness (Christianity) - A quote from the Lord’s Prayer suggesting God expects Christians to show forgiveness to others, no matter what they have done, in return for his forgiveness for any sins they commit

Answer 15

“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” - the Lord’s Prayer

Question 16

Religious Attitudes to Forgiveness (Christianity) - A quote suggesting Christians should have no upper limit as to how many times they forgive someone

Answer 16

“‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” - Matthew

Question 17

Religious Attitudes to Forgiveness (Islam) - A quote suggesting that only God can truly forgive, and he will do so only when the individual is truly sorry

Answer 17

“Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not wish that God should forgive you? God is most forgiving and merciful” - Qur’an

Question 18

Religious Attitudes to Forgiveness (Islam) - A quote from a hadith suggesting people should forgive each other in order to establish good over evil and that an offender should seek forgiveness before expecting God to forgive

Answer 18

“Pardon each other’s faults and [God] will grant you honour” - Hadith

Question 19

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (CHURCH OF ENGLAND CHRISTIANITY) - A quote from the Thirty Nine Articles of Faith suggesting that countries may put Christians to death for some crimes

Answer 19

“The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous offences” - Article 37 of the Thirty Nine Articles of Faith

Question 20

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY) - A quote from St. Thomas Aquinas reflecting the Roman Catholic view that the protection of society is more important than the individual criminal’s reformation

Answer 20

“The fact that the evil ones, as long as they live, can be corrected from their errors does not prohibit that they may be justly executed, for the danger which threatens from their way of life is greater and more certain than the good which may be expected from their improvement - St. Thomas Aquinas

Question 21

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY) - A quote from Pope John Paul II suggesting the Catholic Church today does not condone the death penalty as it is rarely absolutely necessary, and only God has the power to take life

Answer 21

“Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offence incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are rare if not practically non-existent” - Pope John Paul II

Question 22

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (Christianity) - A quote giving reason as to why some denominations (Quakers, Catholics) do not agree the the death penalty, as God wishes for wrongdoers to be reformed

Answer 22

“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!” - Ezekiel

Question 23

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (Islam) - A quote suggesting that the death penalty is acceptable in Islam under legal ruling

Answer 23

“Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right” - Qur’an

Question 24

Religious Attitudes to the Death Penalty (Islam) - A quote suggesting that accepting money from the offender is preferable to death

Answer 24

“But if the culprit is pardoned by his aggrieved brother, this shall be adhered to fairly, and that culprit shall pay what is due in a good way” - Qur’an