Religion, Crime and Punishment Flashcards
Religious views on good and evil actions and intentions
The teachings in the Bible warn against having any evil or wrong thoughts and intentions, “You shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment”.
no such thing as an evil person but original sin derived from the disobedience of Adam and Eve means that all humans have a tendency to do evil things.
For Muslims, evil can be linked with Satan who was cursed by God for refusing to bow to Adam. Evil actions are as a result of giving into temptation.
Reasons for crime
Poverty- M “Those who do not judge according to what God has revealed are doing grave wrong”
Upbringing
Mental Illness
Addiction-Muslims forbid the taking of illegal drugs and alcohol as they believe alcohol is a temptation which will lead people to do wrong and should be resisted.
Greed-C Ten commandments envy is one of the seven deadly sins
Hate
Attitudes to Law Breakers
Christians are against people breaking the laws of their country without just cause (some believe a punishment should be as severe as the crime committed and others believe they should be helped in order that they do not offend again- parable of sheep and goats treat prisoners with compassion
Muslims believe Shari’ah law has to be obeyed, “God commands justice and prohibits wrongdoing and injustice”
Attitudes to different types of crime
Muslims believe that God created all humans with equal value and no individuals or groups should be singled out as inferior to others as hate crimes make the idea of a society without prejudice or discrimination impossible to achieve.
Views on the aims of punishment
Retribution-criminals should receive the same injuries and damage they have caused to their victim, “If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth”
Deterrence- deterred from reoffending if they do not like the punishment they receive
Reformation-seeks to help offenders by working with them to help them to understand that their behaviour is harming society, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” this should be done at the same time as the punishment and is likely to happen in prison if that is where the offender is being held
Muslim’s attitudes to suffering
Muslims believe that God is aware of all types of suffering and allows suffering to happen. Muslims may consider suffering to be a test from God to see how the faithful person reacts or copes with it. It is not believed that God could allow suffering greater than a person can endure as, “you are sure to be tested through your possessions and persons”
Muslim’s attitudes to causing suffering to others
Muslims are very much opposed to causing others to suffer as being part of the Ummah teaches them to care and provide for brothers and sisters in need as Islam teaches Muslims not cause others to suffer, “Be compassionate towards the destitute”. Muslims believe God has said that he will forgive anyone who sincerely repents.
Christian attitudes to suffering and causing suffering to others
Christians believe that they should try to help others who are suffering as the Bible even talks about how good can come out of suffering as, “we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character” Christians feel they should follow the example of Jesus.
Christians are generally opposed to causing others to suffer as Jesus taught that humans should love each other and care for those in trouble
Attitudes to prison
Christians agree that prison should be used as a punishment for serious crimes as many support trying to support prisoners while in prison and are keen to see education and training facilities well used. Muslims agree with the use of prison but under Shari’ah law prisons have less of a role in reforming the criminal and only used while an offender is awaiting trial or punishment.
Attitudes to corporal punishment
love thy neighbour
“the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them”
Muslim’s attitudes- “Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are a man or woman as punishment for what they have done- a deterrent from God”
Attitudes to community service
The aims of community service are positive and offer the chance to reform (suitable punishment for fairly minor offences) Rarely used in Shar’iah law as they are not considered enough of a deterrent to protect society
Attitudes to forgiveness
Christians are expected to forgive others regardless of what they have done as Christians believe that in turn, God will forgive them ,”Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” no limit on the amount of love that God shows to them and they should show to others, so there can be no limit to forgiveness as even as he was being crucified, Jesus said to those crucifying him, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”
Muslims believe only God can truly forgive and will forgive those who are truly sorry and intend to follow the faith properly in the future and Muslims believe forgiveness from humans establishes goodness over evil as they are encouraged to, “Pardon each other’s faults and God will grant your honour”
Attitudes to the death penalty
sanctity of life-God gave life and only he has the right to take it away Shari’ah law allows for the death penalty to be carried out for a series of offences, “do not take life which God has made sacred, except by right” Christians believe that only God has the right to take life as he gifted life to humanity death penalty protects society
