Theme E Flashcards
1
Q
Committing crime is wrong
A
- Jesus said to follow the law
- the law is there to protect us
- sinning against others = sinning against God
- in all ordinary circumstances, the law must be followed
2
Q
Criminals should be punished but also forgiven
A
- punishment ensures there is justice/fairness
- but punishment should also offer chance for rehabilitation
- Jesus said to always forgive others (story of adulterous woman)
- it is God’s role to judge people, not ours, as we all sin
3
Q
Why is forgiveness important
A
- Jesus encouraged forgiveness + Christian’s want to emulate him
- prevents cycle of revenge
- keeps society peaceful - letting go of anger which leads to a better quality of life
- maintains strong relationships
- embodies Christian values of kindness and love etc
4
Q
3 aims of restorative justice programme
A
- Helps criminals to see and truly understand the harm they caused
- Gives criminals a chance to apologise or put things right in some way if they can
- Gives victims a chance to ask questions or suggest ways to make amends
5
Q
Strengths of restorative justice programme
A
- helps begin on the journey of forgiveness
- gives closure so they can move on
- criminals can forgive themselves so they’re less likely to reoffend
6
Q
Weaknesses of restorative justice programmes
A
- if criminals are forgiven they might just reoffend
- opposite of closure, victim might not be able to cope
- not universal - doesn’t work for all crimes (rape)
7
Q
Facts about corporal punishment
A
- inflicting pain as a form of punishment - now illegal in UK
- some Muslim countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, allow caning as punishment for offences such as gambling and sexual promiscuity
- made illegal in UK state schools in 1987 and authors in 1999
- Christians don’t disagree with discipline but believe it needs positivity
- some misbehaviour in schools used to deserve corporal punishment
8
Q
Arguments for corporal punishment
A
- good deterrent and reduces reoffending
- justice - you get what you deserve
9
Q
Arguments against corporal punishment
A
- doesn’t match our current laws or moral values
- creates a climate of fear in society
- inflicting pain on someone purposefully doesn’t respect God’s creation or sanctity of life
10
Q
Why people commit crimes
A
- poverty
- opposition to an unjust law
- hate
- greed
- addiction
- mental illness
- upbringing
11
Q
Martin Luther king + Rosa parks
A
- Alabama, USA
- 1950-1960’s
- they broke the segregation law that said black peoples had to give up their bus seat for whet people. They then led a bus boycott
- they were trying t acheived equality for white and black people
12
Q
The suffragettes
A
- London, uk
- after ww1
- chained themselves to railings - immovable
- smashed windows of parliament
- aiming for women’s political equality and right to vote
13
Q
Reasons why it’s justifiable to break the law
A
- in self-defence or defence of others - Christianity encourages us to defend others/save others. Sanctity of life
- for survival: stealing to feed your family = sanctity of life
- if a law is morally unjust it is right to break it: civil disobedience like MLK which is RIGHTEOUS ANGER
- to prevent something worse from happening: ambulance drivers speed to prevent someone dying - utilitarian argument
14
Q
Reasons why it’s NOT justifiable to break a law
A
- some crimes like murder are never justifiable - breaking sanctity of life which is more important than anything else
- laws are thee for a reason - they keep us safe, so we must follow them
- laws ensure society is controlled, well managed, peaceful, safe - laws do benefit us all and ensure equality
15
Q
Poverty
A
- last resort
- need to survive
- prison has better conditions
16
Q
A
17
Q
Opposition to unjust law
A
- Rosa parks/ MLK
- civil disobedience
18
Q
Hate crime
A
- George Floyd
- crime against someone else based on prejudice or stereotype
19
Q
Greed
A
- commit crime because we want things or feel we’re owed things
20
Q
Addiction
A
- not thinking clearly and can lead you to make irrational choices like stealing to fund addiction
21
Q
Mental illness
A
May think less rationally so it leads you to commit crime and makes your more vulnerable so more prone to crime
22
Q
Upbringing
A
Childhood trauma can cause you to be unstable + vulnerable or you could be brought up in a crime family
23
Q
Facts about community service
A
- usually for minor crimes
- offers offenders a chance to makeup for what they have done and receive help in reforming their behaviour
- between 40-300 hours + have to wear orange hi-vis so everyone knows they’ve been convicted of an offence
- might include rehab or counselling sessions
- less harsh punishment if under 18
- if offenders don’t complete their community service, they may be required to return to court for an alternative punishment
24
Q
Arguments for community service
A
- helps/improves society
- does respect criminals dignity + sanctity of life
- provides time for elf reflection and to improve mental health
25
Q
Arguments against community service
A
- too soft, not enough of a deterrent and reoffending might still be high
- not enough justice is being served
- not providing protection protection for society - criminal on the loose
26
Q
Quaker attitudes towards prison
A
- alternative violence project
- God exists within everyone even those who have committed crimes therefore treat them with respect and dignity
- quakers want to abolish current prison system and replace it with secure education facilities
27
Q
Catholic attitudes towards prison
A
- don’t believe in revenge
- criminals should be treated with dignity - sanctity of life
- paulist prison ministry
- people should support prisoners because they are outcasts, just like Jesus was
- focus is always on forgiving criminals + reformation - only God can judge
28
Q
Arguments against death penalty
A
- sanctity of life: all human life is valuable and therefore we shouldn’t kill as a punishment but forgive instead
- story of adulterous woman: Jesus saved woman from death penalty and forgave her so we should do the same
- Catholic Church and pope are very against death penalty
- Christian focus on redemption: criminals should be given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and be offered forgiveness
- Ezekiel 33:11
29
Q
Arguments for death penalty
A
- principle of utility: killing serial killer wold prevent more deaths and bring closure and justice to the victim and the victims family
- protection of society: killing people who have committed awful crimes to society makes society a better place as the criminals can cause no more damage
- Old Testament “eye for an eye”: you get what you give
- Christian belief in justice: to bring justice, that would mean using the death penalty to bring justice to the victim/victims family
30
Q
Strength of retribution
A
- only form of punishment that ensures justice and readjusting of fairness
- ensures closure for the victims family so they can move on
31
Q
Weakness of retribution
A
- the criminals might become angry and bitter so they’re more likely to commit further crime
- less likely to be able to reintegrate back into society (criminal record)
- not very Christian - no forgiveness
32
Q
Strengths of deterrence
A
- society will be safe, happy and a good environment to live in for all people
- if deterrence is the focus, it could change peoples mindset to not commit crime to begin with and prevents crime happening in the first place
33
Q
Weakness of deterrence
A
- might lead to a society full of fear, anxiety etc and unhappy people
- only works if everyone aware of all punishments
- punishments end up being too severe and don’t fit the punishment
34
Q
Strengths of reformation
A
- theoretically a focus on reformation would decrease the reoffending rate therefore no more crime
- its coherent with Christian beliefs about sanctity of life + people deserving a second chance
35
Q
Weakness of reformation
A
- we have evidence that this isn’t working in the uk: 25% of people reoffending after prison
- high cost - tax payers money
- victims family may feel there is no justice
- only works if everyone if criminals willing to change
