Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment Flashcards
Types of crime
Crimes against
-a person
-property
-the state
Causes of crime
-Upbringing
-Mental illness
-Poverty
-Addiction (a person needs money to fund an addiction)
-Greed/hate
-Opposition to existing laws
Buddhist ideas to the origins of evil
-Evil actions are those strongly motivated by greed, hatred and delusion (three poisons) - an act itself is not of evil it is the intentions or outcome
-Evil arises from delusion/ignorance and is overcome with wisdom/awareness. Evil does not come from original sin. Instead each person is responsible for the evil they cause, because it comes from their intentions or ignorance
-No one is ever entirely evil because all have the capacity to change and learn to do good, purify the mind and become enlightened.
Christian ideas to the origins of evil
-Evil is the abuse of the free will God gave humans, allowing them to choose right from wrong.
-Many Christians believe in a figure called the devil or Satan, though less powerful than God. The devil tried to tempt and encourage humans to behave badly
-So, evil is a combination of internal and external factors.
Aims of punishment
Deterrence
Retribution
Reformation (rehabilitation)
Deterrence
Puts people off from doing the crime again (or in the first place) because the punishment is harsh.
Retribution
Idea that the punishment ‘fits the crime’
Reformation
Change the behaviour of the criminal so they are fit to re-enter society, having seen the error(s) of their ways.
Principle of utility
doing what brings the ‘greatest good for the greatest number’
Buddhist attitudes to crime and punishment
-Buddhists recognise the need for a justice system to punish offenders and protect society. The best system would encourage an offender to recognise the harm they have caused, so that they change their ways for the better.
-Buddhism emphasises compassion, which is the opposite of cruel punishments including corporal punishment or the death penalty
Christian attitudes to crime and punishment
-The law has responsibility to punish and care for the criminal while trying to reform them. While prison removes freedoms/rights and separates offenders with families, it is also concerned they will be reformed and can re-join society as ‘good citizens’.
-However, some Christians want more of an emphasis on ‘justice’ based on the ‘an eye for an eye’ teaching from the Bible, for example a proportionate response when punishing for crime.
-Most believe in people being treated humanely and fairly, giving them the chance to face up to their crime, serve a fair punishment and have a second chance to turn their lives around
Aims prison fulfils
-Protection (keeps society safe from the criminal and the criminal safe from society)
-Deterrence
-Retribution
-Reformation
-Reparation (restorative justice)
-Vindication (sentences are lengthy for serious criminals so that the law is respected)
Buddhist teachings about corporal punishment (CP)
Crimes come from intention - this is what needs to be dealt with, but CP does not target this
CP is not a loving action, breaking the first moral precept
Christian teachings about corporal punishment (CP)
An eye for an eye (Bible)
You hear it said, an eye for an eye…I say if someone hits you offer the other cheek (Jesus).
Buddhist beliefs about capital punishment (death penalty)
-Buddhists do not agree with punishments that are unduly severe
-The death penalty goes against loving kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna)
-First precept is about not taking life
-The death penalty is a form of revenge, so comes from bad intentions (3 poisons)
Christian beliefs about capital punishment (death penalty)
-‘An eye for an eye’ (Old testament)
-‘Do not murder’ (10 commandments)
-‘God gives life and takes life away’ (Job)
-Capital punishment would deny the sanctity of life - ‘all life is sacred’
