Theme E: Religion, Crime, And Punishment

Question 1

What is a crime

Answer 1

An action prohibited by law and an individuals failure to act as required by law

Question 2

What is it called when someone breaks a religious rule

Answer 2

Sin

Question 3

What is a Bible teaching that warns against having evil or wrong thoughts

Answer 3

“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall not commit adultery’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery”

Question 4

Why would some Christians claim that there is no such thing as an evil person

Answer 4

God created people to be good

Question 5

Why do humans do evil things, according to Christians

Answer 5

Original sin

Question 6

What does the principle of karma teach about intention

Answer 6

The intention behind an action is very important

Question 7

What are the 7 reasons for crime

Answer 7

Poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, hate, opposition to unjust laws

Question 8

What is the golden rule of Christianity

Answer 8

Love your neighbour as you love yourself

Question 9

What teaching tells Buddhists that crime is wrong

Answer 9

The 2nd moral precept- refrain from taking what is not freely given

Question 10

Why do Christians condemn hate crimes

Answer 10

They believe God created all humans equal and no one should be single out and given inferior treatment

Question 11

Why do Buddhists condemn hate crimes

Answer 11

Hatred is one of the three poisons and the direct opposite of the emotions that Buddhists aim to develop (metta and karuna)

Question 12

Why do Christians condemn theft

Answer 12

Theft goes against the 10 commandments

Question 13

Why do Buddhists condemn theft

Answer 13

It breaks the 2nd moral principle
It strengthens the habit of greed

Question 14

Why do Christians condemn murder

Answer 14

Only God has the right to take life
Goes against the 10 commandments

Question 15

Why do Buddhists condemn murder

Answer 15

Breaks the 1s moral principle
Inflicts suffering

Question 16

What are the three aims of punishment

Answer 16

Retribution, deterrence, reformation

Question 17

What is the Christian view of retribution

Answer 17

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”

“An eye for an eye”

Question 18

What is the Buddhist view on retribution

Answer 18

It is a form of violence and it therefore wrong
Karma will cause the person to suffer anyway so retribution is unnecessary
“We should not seek revenge”- Dalai Lama

Question 19

What is the Christian view on deterrence

Answer 19

No real problem with deterrence but do not support punishments that are overly harsh
Oppose humiliating punishments (public punishments)

Question 20

What is the Buddhist view on deterrence

Answer 20

May not work if people are in the grip of the three poisons

Question 21

What is the Christian view on reformation

Answer 21

Favoured over other forms of punishment
It is positive rather than negative
Should not replace punishment but should run alongside

Question 22

What is the Buddhist view on reformation

Answer 22

A criminal should be encouraged to recognise the suffering they have caused
Favours a justice system where criminals are encouraged to change

Question 23

What do Christians believe about those who are suffering

Answer 23

They have a duty to help them- following the example of Jesus

Question 24

What should Christians do when the cause someone to suffer

Answer 24

Apologise and try to repair the damage they have caused and attempt to repair the relationship

Question 25

What is a good outcome of suffering that Christians believe in

Answer 25

It may strengthen a persons character and faith “We also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4)

Question 26

Why does suffering exist according to Christians

Answer 26

Free will

Question 27

What does Buddhism teach about suffering

Answer 27

That it is inevitable

Question 28

How do Buddhists overcome suffering

Answer 28

First accepting it as an inevitable part of life, then following Buddhist teachings e.g N8FP

Question 29

What do most Buddhist teachings revolve around

Answer 29

Reducing the suffering of oneself and others

Question 30

Why do Boddhisatvas choose to remain in the cycle of samsara

Answer 30

Out of compassion for the suffering of others

Question 31

What does the Prison Reform Trust do

Answer 31

Works to create a just, humane, and effective prison system

Question 32

What is the main punishment of prison

Answer 32

The loss of liberty

Question 33

What do Christians believe about prisons

Answer 33

May be necessary to protect society but it should not be a form of retribution (torture) Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Question 34

What do Buddhists believe about prisons

Answer 34

Bad actions have bad karmic consequences The public must be protected Imprisonment should provide opportunities for the offender to reform

Question 35

What is corporal punishment

Answer 35

Punishment by physical pain

Question 36

Christian beliefs of corporal punishment

Answer 36

It doesn’t seek to reform the offender and does not show respect for the offender “An eye for an eye” (Exodus)

Question 37

Buddhist beliefs on corporal punishment

Answer 37

Expresses violence and encourages resentment rather than reformation Does not solve the underlying cause of crime (3 poisons)

Question 38

What is community service

Answer 38

Working in the community

Question 39

Christian beliefs on community service

Answer 39

It allows offenders to make up for what they have done wrong and realise the consequences of their actions No harm is done to the offender

Question 40

Buddhist beliefs on community service

Answer 40

Must directly address the crime and help the criminal see the impact of their actions Should also address the needs of the victim(s)

Question 41

What is a Christian teaching about the sins of every person

Answer 41

“Let him who is without sin among you be the fist to throw a stone at her” -everyone has sinned

Question 42

What are Buddhist views on forgiveness

Answer 42

No personal can judge or forgive another person but we should all treat others with mindfulness and respect

Question 43

General arguments in support of capital punishment

Answer 43

If the use of the death penalty is proven to protect society then i can be justified Influence of the criminal can spread even whilst they are behind bars Closure for victims

Question 44

General arguments against capital punishment

Answer 44

Chance of killing an innocent person Little evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent It is not right to take another persons life Society can be protected by imprisoning criminals

Question 45

Christian beliefs on capital punishment

Answer 45

Sanctity of life- all life is holy as it has been created by God “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed” (Genesis 9:6) “An eye for an eye” (Exodus)

Question 46

Buddhist beliefs on capital punishment

Answer 46

It breaks the first moral precept Does not allow for the possibility of reformation Makes revenge a part of the justice system Can’t relieve the suffering of the victim by making the offender suffer