Theme E

Question 1

What is Community Service order?

Answer 1

Community service order – criminal has to do a set number of hours’ work in the community

Question 2

What is Conscience?

Answer 2

Conscience – sense of right and wrong (voice in our head)

Question 3

What is Hate crimes?

Answer 3

Hate crime – a crime committed because of prejudice; it can mean the doubling of a sentence of found guilty

Question 4

What is parole?

Answer 4

Parole – release of a criminal from prison, but continuing to monitor their behaviour

Question 5

What is a Probation order?

Answer 5

Probation order – punishment; monitoring of behaviour with the threat of greater punishment for offending again.

Question 6

What is Protection?

Answer 6

Protection – aim of punishment; to keep people safe

Question 7

What is Reformation?

Answer 7

Reformation – aim of punishment; helping the person see how and why they should behave better

Question 8

What is Reparation?

Answer 8

Reparation - aim of punishment; making up for things done wrong

Question 9

What is Victim?

Answer 9

Victim – the one against whom a crime is committed

Question 10

What is Vindication?

Answer 10

Vindication – aim of punishment; the punishment exist because the law does

Question 11

What are Young offenders?

Answer 11

Young offenders – persons under the age of 18 who commit crime

Question 12

What is Evil and its two types?
What is Suffering?

Answer 12

Evil is something that is profoundly immoral and wicked.
Evil can be a cause of human suffering. There are two types of evil:
 moral evil - the acts of humans which are considered to be morally wrong
 natural evil - natural disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis

Suffering is the bearing or undergoing of pain or distress. Suffering is often a result of evil.

Question 13

Christian Beliefs about Evil

Answer 13

Christians believe that evil is the abuse of the free will God gave to humans. In order to be able to see and appreciate good, then evil has to exist. Most Christians believe in a figure called the devil or Satan. The Devil continually tries to tempt people and encourage them to behave badly.

“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
Psalms 37.9

Question 14

What do Muslims believe about evil?

Answer 14

Muslims believe that evil is a mix of a powerful evil being and the weakness of humans The Qur’an states that there is a devil who was once an angel. Allah had ordered the angels to bow to Adam but Iblis refused. Iblis continually tempts and pushes humans to be wicked. Humans fail to show self-discipline, and give in to Iblis’s temptations.

“The greatest jihad (struggle/striving) is to battle your own soul, to fight the evil within yourself.”
Hadith

Question 15

Non-religious belief about Evil

Answer 15

Some people believe that all people have the capacity to do evil, that it is part of a human’s make up. We do not all demonstrate evil, and those who do, do it to different degrees. Some people suggest that evil can depend on our upbringing, the influences in our lives and experiences we have. For some people evil is not a force within us, rather a psychological phenomena.

Most religious people believe that people who do wring are still redeemable and can be brought back to good ways. Religions often believe in evil actions as opposed to evil people.

Question 16

What are the causes of Crime?

Answer 16

A crime is ‘an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law’. A crime is a matter of law. As society changes, some actions which used to be criminal are no longer so. Likewise some actions which were legal can become illegal.
#

AGOPMU
Addiction
Greed
Opposing existing laws
Poverty
Mental illness
Upbringing

Question 17

How is addiction a cause of crime?

Answer 17

Addiction – a person who is addicted to drugs orgambling may be drawn into a life of crime to fund their habit. (e.g. a drug addict is unabel to hold down a job so resorts to crime to enable them to get the drugs).

Question 18

How is Greed a cause of Crime?

Answer 18

Greed – a person may want what others have and commit crimes to achieve their desires.

Question 19

How is opposing existing laws a cause of crime?

Answer 19

Opposing existing laws – some crimes are committed in protest to laws that are deemed to be unfair (e.g. Rosa Parkes committing the ‘crime’ of sitting on a seat on the bus).

Question 20

How is Poverty cause of crime

Answer 20

Poverty – some people may have no alternative but to commit a crime in order to survive (e.g. stealing food to feed themselves or their family)

Question 21

How is mental illness a cause of crime?

Answer 21

Mental illness – a person may have serious psycholigical issues with no understanding of right or wrong. Or they might have learning difficulties and be easily led into a life of crime or they themselves may have been a victim of crime and this has disturbed them resulting in them committing crimes on others.

Question 22

How is upbringing a cause of crime?

Answer 22

Upbringing – a person may be brought up in an environment where certain crimes are normalised and seen as acceptable.

Question 23

What are Christian beliefs about breaking the law?

Answer 23

Christians belive the law has a responsibility to punish and take care of the criminal whilst trying to reform them. The law is also there to protect innocent people.

Christianity also teaches that:
 People should be treated fairly.
 God wants the world to be ruled fairly.

Many crimes treat innocent people unfairly. Punishments ensure that justice is done.
Christians do not believe in taking revenge when they have been wronged. They believe that they should forgive the sins of others, in the same way that they believe God forgives them for their sins.
Christians look to the example of Jesus, who taught the importance of forgiveness:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22

Question 24

How do Christian respond to crime?

Answer 24

Many Christians are concerned with the welfare of prisoners. They may campaign for prison reform, visit prisoners, or vote for a political party that reflects their views on justice equality.

Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25: 36) that people who help those in prison will go to Heaven. This is because Jesus identifies himself with the outcasts, including prisoners. Those who treat the outcasts well will have eternal life, which means they will go to Heaven.

An example of a Christian response to those who commit crime is the Paulist Prison Ministries. They work with prisoners and detainees, helping to rehabilitate them into society.

Question 25

What are Muslim beliefs about people who break the law?

Answer 25

The Qur’an emphasises the justice of Allah and the idea of accountability of one’s actions. It also talks of mercy and forgiveness. Victims can accept compensation from the criminal who
is then given a lesser sentence.

In the Qur’an there is clear expectation of how Muslims should live. Muslims are expected to live good lives. They are required to live in a just way, look after family, and not commit any acts of immorality or bad conduct, which includes committing no crime.

“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives and forbids immortality and bad conduct and oppression.”
Qur’an 16:90

Question 26

Islamic Law

Answer 26

Islamic law sets out how Muslims should behave in order to live the life that Allah intends them to live, in harmony with others and their environment. If a person breaks a law it is seen as going against the principles and rulings set by the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Some countries have legal systems based on Shariah Law, eg Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Most Muslims believe that if a person commits a crime they should be punished by law, but they will also have to answer to Allah on the Day of Judgement.

Question 27

Muslim beliefs about treatment of Criminals?

Answer 27

Muslims believe in justice and therefore believe that criminals should be treated fairly and be given the chance to reform. However, some very harsh punishments are given in the Qur’an and Hadith, and some Muslims believe that appropriate retaliation should be carried out against those whose guilt is proven.

Question 28

How do Muslims respond to crime in society?

Answer 28

Many Muslims are concerned about the welfare of prisoners. They may campaign for prison reform, visit prisoners, or vote for a political party that reflects their views on justice and equality.

Question 29

What are the four types of crime

Answer 29

Crimes Against Persons – offences causing direct harm to a person e.g., murder, rape, and assault.

Crimes Against Property – offences that damage or deprive people of their property e.g., robbery, bribery, and burglary.

Crimes Against Society – offences that demonstrate society’s prohibition against engaging in certain types of activity e.g., gambling, prostitution, and drug violations.

Crimes Against State – offences that potentially endanger everyone or the smooth running of society e.g., terrorism, selling state secrets, perjury (telling lies under oath).

Question 30

What is the worst type of crime?

Answer 30

It is very difficult to say which of these crimes is the ‘worst’.

The victim of an assault may say that crimes against the person are the worst types of crime because they have personal experience of them.

Where a country is put at risk by someone’s actions, such as terrorism, large numbers of people can be affected so maybe crime against the person are the worst.

Crime against property, such as burglary, have very long term negative impacts on the victims and can take a long time for the victim to recover

Question 31

What are the 6 aims of punishment?

Answer 31

There are six recognised aims of punishment:

Deterrence - punishment should deter (put people off) committing crime

Reformation - punishment should reform the criminal

Retribution - punishment should make the criminal pay for what they have done wrong

Protection - punishment should result in the rest of society being protected

Reparation - punishment should compensate the victim(s) of a crime

Vindication - the punishment makes sure that the law is respected.

Question 32

Deterrence

Answer 32

**Deterrence – this aim of punishment is important for all religions because if it works there is no need for any other aims.

Islamic law has tough consequences for the criminal in the hope it will deter people from committing crimes.

Christians also agree with deterrence but not through harsh punishments such as the death penalty.

Question 33

Reformation

Answer 33

**Reformation - all religions agree with this as an aim of punishment but in different ways. Under Islamic law harsh punishments like lashing and removal of limbs can reform the individual because the person sees the wrong they have done. Christians believe that many can be reformed through working with criminals, counselling and education.

Question 34

Retribution

Answer 34

Retribution – religion generally agrees that the punishment should fit the crime.

Islam supports the view of ‘life for a life’ for murderers.

Many Christians believe that a criminal should serve their time, but that the death penalty makes the law as bad as the criminal.

“Eye for an Eye”

Question 35

What is a community service order?

Answer 35

Community service orders are used to punish criminals whose crimes fall short of deserving a prison sentence. A judge can pass a community service order if a criminal is found guilty of a crime that does not meet the threshold for a custodial sentence. This can include: damaging property, petty theft, non-grievous assault, shoplifting, drink driving or small-scale benefit fraud. They can be told to carry out anywhere between 40 and 300 hours of unpaid work, depending on the seriousness of the crime.
The community work often involves making improvements to the local area.
Examples include removing graffiti from buildings, clearing rubbish from wasteland, and decorating public spaces and buildings like a community centre.

Question 36

What are Custodial Sentences?

Answer 36

Prisoners who are sentenced to two years or more will serve half their sentence in prison and serve the rest of the sentence in the community on licence. While on licence a prisoner will be subject to supervision and the licence will include conditions. If a prisoner breaches their conditions, they may be recalled to prison

Question 37

What is a life sentence?

Answer 37

When a court passes a ‘life sentence’ it means that the person with a conviction will be subject to that sentence for the rest of their life. A judge must specify the minimum term a prisoner must spend in prison before becoming eligible to apply for parole. The only exception to this is when a life sentence is passed with a ‘whole life order’ meaning that such a prisoner will spend the rest of their life in prison. A life sentence always lasts for life whatever the length of the minimum term.

Question 38

What is corporal punishment?

Answer 38

Corporal punishment is best defined as the use of physical pain, injury, discomfort or humiliation to penalise unruly or criminal behaviour. Corporal punishments include flogging, beating, branding, mutilation, blinding, and the use of the stock and pillory.

This type of punishment is not used in any European countries but remains in place in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America.

Question 39

What are Christian beliefs about corporal punishment?

What quote supports this?

Answer 39

Christian teachings do not agree with corporal punishment, believing it does not reform the criminal. Christians see corporal punishment as a method of taking revenge when Jesus taught his followers to forgive so it goes against the teachings of Jesus.

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing”
Luke 23:34

Question 40

What are Muslim beliefs about Corporal Punishment?

Answer 40

Islamic law allows corporal punishment. However, in many Muslim countries the ‘Law of Compensation’ can be used which swaps corporal punishment for paying compensation.

“A thief, male or female, cut off their hands by way of punishment.”
Qur’an 5:38

“‘If a woman or man is found guilty of adultery, flog each of them 100 lashes’”
Qur’an 24:2

Question 41

What is Capital Punishment?

Answer 41

Capital punishment is the practice of executing someone as punishment for a specific crime after a proper legal trial.

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is not legal in the UK (it was abolished in 1967). It is still legal in one third of countries, though not all still carry it out. It is usually only used as a punishment for particularly serious types of murder, but in some countries treason, types of fraud, adultery and rape are capital crimes.

Question 42

Christian Arguments Pro-death penalty

Answer 42

Some Christians argue that the death penalty helps to maintain order and protection in society. They would say this because:
 The Bible sets down the death penalty for some crimes, so it must be acceptable to God. This is often seen as retribution.

 St Thomas Aquinas argued that peace in society was more important than reforming the sinner. He reflects the Catholic Church’s teaching that the protection of the whole of society is more important than the individual.

Some Christians agree with the death penalty because:
 the Old Testament teaches “an eye for an eye”, which suggests that if someone takes a life then they should have their life taken from them

 it shows the seriousness of the commandment “thou shalt not kill” and that murderers who have taken a life themselves should be put to death as punishment

Question 43

Christian Arguments against the death penalty

Answer 43

Some Christians would argue that the death penalty can never be justified. They would say this because:

 They believe Jesus Christ came to Earth to reform sinners, as he did with the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11.
 Jesus amended the Old Testament teaching on retribution in Matthew 5:38-39 when he said: You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

 Christians believe in the sanctity of life, that life is holy and belongs to God and therefore only God has the power to take life. Christians believe that only God should end life.

 One of the Ten Commandments is “thou shalt not kill”.

 There are many examples of forgiveness in the Bible and Jesus taught it is important to forgive.

 Many Christians favour reform over execution as it gives the chance to change.

Question 44

Islamic views in favour of Capital Punishment?

Answer 44

Muslims accept that the death penalty is a punishment established by God in the Qur’an:
This verse teaches that although murder is considered a sin, it is acceptable to use capital punishment when required by law if it has been sanctioned by a government.#

“…Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you, so that you may learn wisdom.”
Qur’an 6:151

Other reasons Muslims may accept the death penalty include:
 The Prophet Muhammad sentenced people to death for murder.

 Shariah law states that the punishment for murder, adultery and denying Islam is the death penalty.

Question 45

Islamic views against Capital Punishment?

Answer 45

Some Muslims may argue against the death penalty for the following reasons:
 Although capital punishment is allowed in the Qur’an they do not think it is compulsory.
 Shariah law states that the family of a murder victim can accept money as reparation rather than enforce the death penalty.
 They believe that only Allah has the right to take life, and therefore carrying out the death penalty is ‘playing God’ and committing the sin of shirk.

In the Qur’an there is reference to the idea that only Allah has the right to take life:
“….whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely”

Question 46

What is Forgiveness

Answer 46

Forgiveness is the willingness to not blame a person any more for the wrongs they have done. It is the process that victims go through where they let go of the offence and negative ideas of revenge, to move on and let the criminal move on too.

Forgiveness does not mean the victim accepts, excuses or forgets the crime. Whereas society deals with criminals through punishment, victims are able to deal with it through forgiveness.

To forgive is very hard to do and some never can. Some find it within themselves to do so.

Question 47

What are Christian beliefs about Forgiveness?

Answer 47

In the Bible, Jesus told his followers to forgive:

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”
Matthew 5:39

Question 48

What are Muslim beliefs about Forgiveness?

Answer 48

Most religions believe that forgiveness is a quality of God, to be copied by the believer. However, it is not an easy virtue t put into action as many people have suffered terrible crimes and will never be able to forgive, but at the same time the hatred can ruin their lives.

Religion would always urge people to forgive, but never demand it as it is a personal decision. Those who are able to forgive need to be commended and those who cannot forgive need to be helped.

Muslims believe that Allah is forgiving merciful and compassionate and that they should try to be too.
“Although the just penalty for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by God. He does not love the unjust.”
Qur’an 42:40