Sin And Forgiveness Flashcards
What was St Augustine’s stance on the death penalty?
St Augustine was AGAINST the death penalty.
Why did St Augustine oppose the death penalty?
He believed that a person cannot change once they are dead and needs every chance to change while alive.
What evidence did St Augustine provide to support his view on capital punishment?
“There is no space to reform character except in this life”.
What was Pope John Paul’s suggestion regarding capital punishment?
Pope John Paul suggested that capital punishment should be avoided unless it is the only way to protect people from the criminal.
What evidence did Pope John Paul provide regarding the necessity of capital punishment?
“Punishment…ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity”.
How have the Catholic Church’s teachings on the death penalty evolved according to Pope Francis?
Pope Francis stated that he is against the death penalty, saying it is no longer justifiable.
What is a key reason Pope Francis gives for opposing the death penalty?
There is a chance that the wrong person could be killed.
What do the Ten Commandments state regarding killing?
“Do not kill”.
What is the sanctity of life argument against capital punishment?
Life is special, holy, and belongs to God; only God can decide when life ends.
What evidence supports the sanctity of life argument?
“In the beginning, God created” - Genesis.
Why should life be cherished from conception to natural death according to Catholic teachings?
Any deliberate killing of an innocent person is always wrong because everyone is made in the image of God.
What evidence supports the idea that life should be cherished?
- “God made mankind in his image” - Genesis.
- “God breathed life into Adam’s nostrils” - Genesis.
What did Jesus teach regarding reform and capital punishment?
Jesus came to save (reform) sinners but you cannot reform a dead person.
What did Jesus say about revenge?
He taught that taking revenge is wrong and said, “to turn the other cheek”.
What is the Catholic Christian response to the death penalty?
They will attend peaceful marches against the death penalty being made legal.
What is capital punishment?
Capital punishment is the death penalty.
How do some Christians view the death penalty in relation to the commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’?
They argue that it upholds the commandment by showing the seriousness of murder as a crime.
What is the deterrence argument for capital punishment?
It is thought to deter people from murdering others.
What does the Old Testament teach regarding capital punishment?
It teaches that the death penalty should be used for some crimes.
What evidence from the Bible supports the Old Testament teaching on capital punishment?
“An eye for an eye”.
How might some Christians advocate for capital punishment in the UK?
They may write letters to their MP or start social media campaigns.
What is a key argument from humanists against capital punishment?
No court system can be sure to give the correct decision regarding guilt.
What is a consequence of wrongful conviction in capital punishment according to humanists?
Innocent people cannot be compensated if they are executed.
Why do humanists argue that capital punishment does not deter murder?
Many murderers do not expect to be caught and do not think about the punishment.