SHHS Unit 8 Crime and Punishment Cards

Question 1

4.1 Why do we need laws?

Answer 1

1. Laws are rules made about how members of society are expected to behave.
2. There would be chaos without laws
3. We need laws so people know what behaviour to expect from each other
4. We need laws to protect the weak from the strong

Question 2

4.1 Why do laws need to be just?

Answer 2

1. Thomas Aquinas said unjust law is not proper law because:

• • if a law is unjust, people will feel that it is right to break the law
• • if a law unjust people will not obey it/

1. Unjust laws disrupt rather than unite society.
2. To achieve justice, the UK has a legal aid system which allows people who cannot afford a lawyer to get one for free.

Question 3

4.2 What are the four main theories of punishment?

Answer 3

1. Retribution – the theory that criminals should pay for their crime.
2. Deterrence – the punishment should put other people off committing crime.
3. Reform – criminals should be taught not to commit crime again
4. Protection – this should protect society from criminals and their activities.

Question 4

4.3 Why is justice important for Christians?

Answer 4

1. The Bible says that God is just and will reward the righteous (the just).
2. Jesus said that the rich should share with the poor and there are many statements in the New Testament about how Christians should treat people fairly and equally.
3. The Christian churches have made many statements about the need to work for justice and fairness in the world.
4. The Bible says that people should be treated fairly

Question 5

4.4 Why is justice important for Muslims?

Answer 5

1. The Qur’an teaches that God is a just God who will reward the good and punish the bad on the LAST DAY.
2. Islamic teaching on the last day is concerned with the need for the good to be rewarded and evil punished which is the basis of justice.
3. Islam teaches that Muslims have to behave justly to other people and to ensure that the world is governed in a fair way.
4. Islam teaches that all people should have equal rights before the law and that Muslims should work for a fairer sharing of the Earth’s resources.

Question 6

4.5 What is Capital Punishment?

Answer 6

Capital punishment is punishment which takes away the criminals life.

The use of Capital Punishment in the UK has been illegal since 1969.

Question 7

4.5 What are non-religious arguments in favour of capital punishment?

Answer 7

1. It will act as a deterrent and there will be fewer murders.
2. The best way to protect society from them is to take away their lives so they cannot re-offend.
3. The value of human life can only be shown by giving those who take human life the worst possible punishment.
4. Retribution/compensation for taking a life is for the criminals to be taken.

Question 8

4.5 What are the non-religious arguments against capital punishment?

Answer 8

1. No court system can be sure that the correct verdict is always given.
2. Murderers who know they are going to be killed if caught are more likely to kill more people to avoid being caught.
3. Terrorists who are executed are hailed as martyrs and encourage more of their followers to become terrorists.
4. Murderers often regard life imprisonment as worse than death as they try to commit suicide (Ian Brady)

Question 9

4.6 Why do many Christians believe Capital punishment is wrong?

Answer 9

1. Christianity is based on the fact that Jesus came to reform sinners. It is impossible to reform a criminal who has been executed.
2. Christianity teaches that human life is sacred and that only God has the right to take life.
3. Jesus banned retribution when he said that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is wrong. (Old Testament).
4. Most of the Christian churches have condemned capital punishment.
5. Also agree with the non-religious arguments against capital punishment.

Question 10

4.6 Why do some people think capital punishment can be used?

Answer 10

1. The Bible sets down the death penalty as the punishment for a number of crimes.
2. The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England have not retracted their statements which allow the state to use capital punishment.
3. Christian thinkers such as St. Thomas Aquinas argued that punishment in Christianity should reform the sinner and secure peace for society. A peaceful society is more important than the reformation of a sinner though and so capital punishment can be used to preserve that peace.
4. The Christian church itself used capital punishment in the past for the crime of heresy.

Also agree with the non-religious arguments for capital punishment.

Question 11

4.7 What offences do Muslims allow capital punishment for?

Answer 11

murder, adultery and APOSTASY (a Muslim denying Islam and working against Islam).

Question 12

4.7 Why do Muslims agree with capital punishment?

Answer 12

It is a punishment set down by God in the Qur’an and Muslims believe the Qur’an is the word of God.

Muhammad made several statements agreeing with capital punishment for murder, adultery and apostasy.

Muhammad sentenced people to death for murder when he was ruler of Madinah.

The Shari’ah says that capital punishment is the punishment for murder, adultery and apostasy.

Question 13

4.7 Why do Muslims not agree with capital punishment?

Answer 13

1. They feel that capital punishment is recommended by the Qur’an but not necessary.
2. The Shari’ah says that the family of a murder victim can accept blood money from the murderer rather than requiring a death sentence.
3. They agree with the non-religious arguments against capital punishment.

Question 14

4.8 What are the UK laws on tobacco?

Answer 14

• it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18.
• all tobacco packs must have large, hard-hitting health warnings. They must also carry shocking picture warnings on the effects of smoking.
• All adverts for tobacco products are banned.

Question 15

4.8 What are the UK laws on alcohol?

Answer 15

• it is illegal to give alcohol to a child under 5.
• children under 16 can go anywhere in a pub if supervised by an adult.
• young people aged 16/17 can have wine or cider with a meal if bought by and accompanied by an adult.
• it is against the law for anyone under 18

Question 16

4.8 What are the UK laws on drugs?

Answer 16

Class A, B and C drugs are termed as controlled substances
under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which states that it is an offence:

• To possess a controlled substance unlawfully
• To possess a controlled substance with intent
• To supply or offer to supply a controlled drug
• To allow premises you occupy or manage to be used for the purpose
• of drug taking

Question 17

4.9 What are the health problems caused by tobacco?

Answer 17

1. increases the risk of medical conditions including dementia and digestive problems.
2. Conditions that can be caused by smoking are; various cancers, heart disease and breathing difficulties.
3. If women smoke during pregnancy their baby is likely to have a lower birth weight, be weaker and not develop normally.
4. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the chances of complications during pregnancy and labour including the risk of premature birth and stillbirth.

Question 18

4.9 What are the health problems caused by drugs?

Answer 18

• The physical health of users can be damaged by the toxic effects of a drug, dependence or the way it is used (such as infection with a dirty needle).
• Many deaths of drug users are caused by bacterial or viral infections, Liver or cardiovascular diseases or intentional self-harm.
• Heavy users often have mental illness.
• Bad Skin

Question 19

4.9 What are the health problems caused by alcohol?

Answer 19

Increased risk of developing:

• • Serious liver problems -some stomach disorders
• -mental health problems -heart disease
• -alcohol addiction -some cancers
• -obesity (alcohol is high in calories
• -sexual difficulties such as impotence.
• Drinking alcohol is associated with increased risk of accidents. 1in7 road deaths are caused by alcohol.

Question 20

4.9 What are the social problems caused by tobacco?

Answer 20

the social problems caused by tobacco relate to the families of smokers who are emotionally damaged by watching their loved ones die slowly from diseases caused by smoking.

Question 21

4.9 What are the social problems caused by drugs?

Answer 21

1. The main social problems caused by drug abuse are connected with the fact that drugs are illegal and so all drug dealers are criminals.
2. The cost of maintaining a drug habit forces users into a life of crime.
3. Although no drug consistently produces violence, some users become violent under the influence of drugs.

Question 22

4.9 What are the social problems caused by alcohol?

Answer 22

• Binge drinkers often make town centers no-go areas for anyone else on a weekend.
• Alcohol is responsible for numerous crimes and fatalities. 41% of all deaths from falls, 30% drowning deaths, 25% boating deaths, 45-55% of fire deaths.
• 55-75% of murder victims and 40% of rape offenders had been drinking at the time of the incident.
• 50% of those how commit sex abuse crimes also abuse alcohol.

Question 23

4.10 Why are ALL Christians against illegal drug use?

Answer 23

1. It is against the law for good reasons and Christians should obey the law as long as it is just.
2. St Paul taught that a Christian’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which should not be abused and taking drugs is abusing God’s temple.
3. Taking drugs has mental effects which make it difficult to worship God properly or follow the Christian way of life.
4. All Christian Churches teach that the use of illegal drugs is wrong.

Question 24

4.10 Why do some Christians think they should not drink or smoke?

Answer 24

1. These Christians believe that smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol is abusing God’s temple just as much as taking drugs.
2. They are also concerned with the social and health problems connected with the use of tobacco and alcohol.
3. Many of these Christians are involved with working with alcoholics and know how much it helps in social situations if they are supported by others who refuse to have alcohol.
4. The Bible teaches that consumption of alcohol impairs judgment, inflames passions and invites violence.

Question 25

4.10 Why do most Christians agree that alcohol and tobacco can be used in moderation?

Answer 25

• Jesus turned water into wine so he must have approved of drinking alcohol.
• Jesus drank wine during his life and even at his death and Christians see Jesus as the ultimate role-model.
• Most Churches use alcoholic wine in their communion service, so Christians must be able to drink wine in moderation.
• Jesus used bread and wine at his Last Supper and told his disciples to continue the tradition.

Question 26

4.11 Why do Muslims not allow drugs and alcohol?

Answer 26

• Muhammad said on several occasions that not only must Muslims not drink alcohol; they must have nothing to do with the production or sale of alcohol.
• The Qur’an says that intoxicants are a means by which Satan tries to keep God from saying their prayers.
• Muhammad (pbuh) said that every intoxicant is khamr and every khamr is forbidden to Muslims.
• Muslims lawyers take Muhammad’s statement ‘Do not harm yourselves or others’.