Unit 8 Section 4 Crime and Punishment Flashcards
What would life be like without laws?
- no education
- lots of murder
- lots of theft
- bad health - drugs
Give 4 reasons why we need laws:
1) To protect the weak from the strong
2) So people know how to behave
3) So people can work and have business
4) To keep everything organised
Why do laws need to be just?
If a law is unjust…
1) people will break it
2) it’s not fulfilling its purpose
3) people will campaign against it
4) people may start a civil war
What are 4 examples of punishments used in the UK:
- prison
- community service
- fines
- curfew / tags
What are the 4 theories of punishment?
- retribution
- reform
- protection
- deterrence
What is the theory of retribution and why is it effective?
Criminals should PAY for what they’ve done
- Can be made proportional to the crime
- Makes criminals suffer
- Actually punishes the criminal
What is the theory of reform and why is it effective?
Criminals are TAUGHT NOT TO commit crime again
- turns criminals into law-abiding citizens
- most criminals have had a bad upbringing
- allows them to find a proper job
What is the theory of protection and why is it effective?
Punishment should protect society from criminals
- If they’re dead they can’t kill anyone else
- Long prison sentences keep them away from people
- Community service keeps them off the streets
What is the theory of deterrence and why is it effective?
Punishment should put people off crime
- If people know the severity of punishment, they won’t do it
Give 4 non-religious reasons AGAINST capital punishment:
- No court can be sure someone’s guilty
- It’s proven to not deter crime
- Nobody has the right to take life
- Imprisonment is worse than death
Give 4 non-religious reasons FOR capital punishment:
- It may deter people
- They can’t re-offend if they’re dead
- Human life is precious - taking it away is the worst possible punishment
- Only retribution for a murderer is death
Give 4 reasons why justice is important to Christians:
1) God is just and will reward those who are
2) The Bible says people should be treated fairly
3) Jesus said the rich should share with the poor
4) Churches make statements about the need for justice and fairness
Give 4 reasons why justice is important to Muslims:
1) Qur’an says there’ll be a Last Day
2) Islamic teaching is that the good are rewarded and the evil punished
3) Islam teaches it’s unjust to charge interest - takes money from poor for rich
4) Islam teaches everyone should be equal
Give 4 reasons why Christians are AGAINST capital punishment:
1) Jesus can’t reform sinners if they’ve been executed
2) Only God can take or give life
3) Jesus said an eye for an eye is wrong
4) Most churches have condemned it
Give 4 reasons why Christians are FOR capital punishment:
1) Church used it in the past
2) The Bible sets it down as a punishment
3) The churches haven’t taken back statements allowing it
4) Christian thinkers argued it will reform sinners
Give 4 reasons why most Muslims AGREE with capital punishment:
1) It’s set down in the Qur’an as a punishment
2) Muhammad made statements agreeing with it
3) Muhammad sentenced people to death
4) The Shari’ah says it’s a punishment for some crimes
Give 3 reasons why some Muslims DISAGREE with capital punishment:
1) The Qur’an doesn’t say it’s compulsory
2) The Shari’ah says the victim’s family can accept blood money instead
3) They agree with other non-religious arguments
What are the UK laws on tobacco?
- Illegal to sell products to under 18s
- Packaging must have health warnings
- Adverts and sponsorships are banned
- Illegal to smoke in public places
What are the UK laws on alcohol?
- Illegal to give alcohol to an under 5
- 16-17 year olds can drink beer/wine/cider with a meal and an adult
- Under 18s can’t purchase alcohol
- Some by-laws ban drinking in public
Give 4 health effects of drugs and alcohol:
1) Smoking during pregnancy leads to low birth weight / stillbirth
2) Smoking causes cancers and breathing difficulties
3) Drug users catch infections easily
4) Heavy drug use causes mental health issues
Give 4 social effects of drugs and alcohol:
1) Friends and family get worried
2) Binge drinkers make certain places no-go areas
3) Alcohol causes crime and violence
4) Drug users are criminals
Give 4 reasons why Christians are against illegal drug use:
1) Christians should obey just laws
2) St Paul said the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
3) Mental effects make it difficult to worship God
4) Churches teach that it is wrong
Give 4 reasons why Christians are FOR drinking and smoking in moderation:
1) Jesus turned water into wine
2) St Paul said Christians could drink in moderation
3) Jesus had wine and bread at the Last Supper
4) Most churches use alcohol at communion
Give 4 reasons why Christians are AGAINST drinking and smoking:
1) It’s abusing God’s temple
2) Passages in the Bible warn about drunkenness
3) The Bible says alcohol causes bad judgement, passion and violence
4) Concerns about health and social problems
