religion crime and punishment Flashcards
different types of punishment
non-custodial sentence, life sentence, whole life order
reasons for crime
poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, hate, opposition to an unjust law
three types of crime
crime against the person, crime against the property, crime against the state
aims of punishment
retribution, deterrence, reformation
retribution
least positive aim, similar to revenge, when society on behalf of the victim gets its own back. some christians agree - “an eye for an eye”, others disagree and focus on other aims - “do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”
deterrence
a punishment that can be used as an example and a warning to others against committing this crime. in some countries, punishments are carried out in public to deter. christians see this as humiliating and degrading, and they believe everyone should be respected. Most christians support deterrence but not excessively harsh punishment. principle of utility
reformation
gives offenders a chance to realise their behaviours are harmful and helps them give up crime, can be done in therapy, community service, educational programmes, meeting victims. shows compassion - christians agree
suffering
suffering is a part of life, can be caused by natural events or by the actions of other people. “we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character and hope.”
causing suffering to others
christians are generally opposed and try to avoid causing suffering. Jesus taught people should love and care for people who are suffering, he even went as far as saying violence in self defence causes more violence in retaliation
treatment of criminals
prison - if you commit a serious crime. loss of liberty. christians agree
corporal punishment - illegal in the UK, causing physical pain, most christians disagree - “He who spares the rod hates their children, but he who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”
community service - unpaid work seen as giving back to the community, reformation
the death penalty
abolished in the UK
literalist christians agree - “whoever sheds human blood by humans shall their blood be shed”
others disagree - only god has the right to take away life, sanctity of life, jesus taught forgiveness, created in the image of god, humans belong to god as he breathed into them “the breath of life”
forgiveness
jesus preached - “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us”
jesus forgive the people who crucified him - “forgive them father for they know not what they have done”
“blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”
anthony walkers family forgave his killers
“seventy times seven”
