Religion, Crime and Punishment Flashcards
What are examples of state laws that coincide with religious laws?
The Ten Commandments state ‘Do not steal’ and ‘Do not kill’, while the Buddhist Five Moral precepts say ‘I abstain from taking life’ and ‘I abstain from taking what is not freely given’.
What are examples of religious laws not featured in state law?
The Bible prohibits homosexuality, but it is no longer a crime in the UK. Additionally, keeping the Sabbath holy is not enforced, and worshiping only one God is not legally required.
What does Saint Paul say about submitting to governing authorities?
Saint Paul states that we should ‘submit to governing authorities’ and that ‘there is no authority except from God’.
What does the Bible say about injustice?
In Isaiah, the Bible says Christians should ‘loose the chains of injustice’, indicating that sometimes laws can be unfair.
Who are some famous Christians who broke the law for justice?
Martin Luther King organized marches against the law, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer helped Jews escape and plotted to assassinate Hitler.
How did Jesus break the law?
Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, which was against the law at that time.
What do Buddhists believe about breaking unfair laws?
Buddhists believe in karuna (compassion) and may break unfair laws to protest, as seen when Thich Nhat Hanh helped Vietnamese boat people escape.
Do some Christians believe criminals deserve to suffer?
Yes, some argue that ‘an eye for an eye’ justifies corporal punishment and the death penalty, as stated in Genesis.
What does Saint Paul say about overcoming evil?
Saint Paul advises, ‘Do not overcome evil with evil, but instead overcome evil with good’.
What lesson does Jesus teach regarding punishment?
Jesus tells those about to punish an adulteress, ‘the one without sin cast the first stone’, suggesting he believes in reformation rather than retribution.
When might causing suffering be justified?
It may be necessary to cause suffering to prevent greater harm, as illustrated by Bonhoeffer’s analogy of stopping a madman from harming innocents.
What is the main aim of Buddhism?
The main aim of Buddhism is to bring about an end to suffering.
What is Metta in Buddhism?
Metta is loving-kindness for all creatures, practiced through loving-kindness meditation.
What is the Parable of the Saw?
In this parable, a man facing torture responds with equanimity and wishes good for his torturers.
How did Buddha show kindness to Angulimala?
Buddha invited Angulimala, a bandit, to stay with his followers, leading to Angulimala’s reformation through Buddha’s calmness and loving-kindness.
What are ‘Skilful actions’ in Buddhism?
‘Skilful actions’ are rooted in generosity, compassion, and understanding, leading to happiness.
What are the different types of crimes?
Crimes against the person (murder, rape, GBH, hate crimes), crimes against property (arson, burglary, trespass), and crimes against the state (terrorism, selling state secrets).
