Religion, crime and punishment Flashcards

1
Q

what is a crime?

A

an offence punishable by law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is a punishment?

A

something done legally as a result of someone being found guilty of breaking the law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the UK legal system all about?

A
  • Govt must get approval from parliament ot make new laws
  • magistrates and crown courts (more serious) hear cases for someone charged with a crime
  • decide if someone is guilty or not guilty - if guilty impose a sentence as punishment
  • most severe punishment is life in prison - reserved for murder, rape and terrorist activity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the legal system like in Islamic countries?

A
  • many follow Shari’ah law
  • some Muslim countries (eg. Egypt, Saudi Arabia) - most severe sentence = death penalty
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is Shari’ah law?

A

Islamic law derived from the Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what can be interpreted as a good action?

A
  • something that doesn’t break the law
  • good things not specifically mentioned in the law - eg. generosity, love
  • good things with no law dictating they be down - eg. supporting charities
  • actions encouraged or required by genuine religious faiths
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what can be interpreted as an evil action?

A
  • things against the law
  • things that are legal but morally wrong - eg. adultery, abortion
  • things that cause suffering and, injury or death
  • may not be from evil intentions - just the influence of their situation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is evil?

A
  • the opposite of good
  • a force of negative power seen in many traditions as destructive and against God
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

how do different legal systems decide on punishment for offenders?

A
  • intention is taken into account when setting punishment
  • Shari’ah law - severity of punishment depends on seriousness of religious value breached
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what do Muslims believe about evil acts?

A
  • humans are immoral and wicked as a result of temptation (blame evil actions on not resisting temptation)
  • evil intention is just as wicked as an evil crime
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what do Christians believe about evil acts?

A
  • evil actions are immoral and wicked
  • crimes against people are as sinful as crimes against God
  • people aren’t evil - they are created in the image of God - there is a reason why they do evil things
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

why do people commit crimes (7 reasons + development)?

A
  1. Poverty
    - there are millions in the UK who can’t afford food so try to steal food for their family to survive
  2. Upbringing
    - some grow up in households where crime is a way of life/they are encouraged to do it
  3. Mental illness
    - can lead people to crime
    - eg. Anger management problems and depression may = violence + drug abuse
  4. Addiction
    - taking illegal drugs is a crime
    - may commit other crimes to keep getting drugs
    - legal drugs also cause issues eg. drink driving, rape, violence
  5. Greed
    - some people want things they don’t need/can-t afford - leads to them stealing
  6. Hate
    - opposite of love, leads to violence/aggression
  7. Opposition to an unjust law
    - break unjust laws to protest against them
    - could be laws based on inequality or deny basic human rights
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to poverty?

A

Christians:
- society should make sure no one has to steal for food - support foodbanks, campaign for living wage, improve public services

Muslims:
- Zakah = no one lives in poverty
- BUT it can’t help everyone so community should help too

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to upbringing?

A

Christians:
- parents should teach children right way to behave through their example

Muslims:
- strong extended family should make sure Muslims are guided to follow the law through example

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to mental illness?

A

Christians:
- treating the causes of illness is the most loving + compassionate thing to do

Muslims:
- illness should be treated, but punishment is still justifiable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to addiction?

A

Christians:
- against taking illegal drugs
- support rehabilitation to defeat addiction
- alcohol allowed but not in excess

Muslims:
- illegal drugs + alcohol forbidden
- addiction isn’t an excuse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to greed?

A

Christians:
- “You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighour” - Exodus 20:17
- envy forbidden in the Ten Commandments

Muslims:
- “Competing for more distracts you until you go into your grave” - Qur’an 102:1-2
- greed = temptation - AVOID

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to hate?

A

Christians:
- Jesus taught to love everyone, even enemies

Muslims:
- against Muslim morality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what do religious people think about people committing crimes due to opposition of an unjust law?

A

Christians:
- some may agree but only of there is no violence and no one is harmed

Muslims:
- Shari’ah law = God’s law - cannot be unjust so not a good reason

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Bible quote on obeying the law

A

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” - Romans 13:1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what is a hate crime?

A

a crime motivated by racial, sexual, gender or other prejudice, typically involving violence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what is murder?

A

the unlawful killing of one human being by another - one of the worst crimes. Sometimes classified as a hate crime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is theft?

A

the action or crime of stealing and the victim suffering loss - less serious than other crimes but still bad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is a religious offence?

A

any action which offends religious sensibilities and arouses serious negative emotions in people with strong belief - usually associated with sin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What do Christians believe about lawbreakers?

A
  • law should be respected
  • must be punished by the law according to the seriousness of the crime
  • believe in restorative justice - enable criminals to make amends for their behaviours by meeting victims and apologising
  • they have basic rights - no inhuman/harmful punishment
  • punishment should help them become a useful member of society and prevent reoffending
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Bible quotes on attitudes to lawbreakers

A
  • “I was in prison and you came to visit me” - Matthew 25:34-36 - helping prisoners is helping Jesus
  • “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” - Matthew 5:38-39 - Forgiveness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What do Muslims think of lawbreakers?

A
  • law must be obeyed, esp Shari’ah law
  • most Muslims support UK legal system even though it’s not Shari’ah but might still disagree with some laws
  • Shari’ah law gives punishments based on seriousness of crime - severe for crimes prohibited in the Qur’an
  • most severe punishments not used in the UK
  • Shari’ah punishments are meant to be severe enough to deter reoffending
27
Q

Qur’an quotes on lawbreakers?

A
  • “God commands justice… And prohibits wrongdoing and injustice” - Qur’an 16:90
  • “The law of equality is prescribed in case of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave” - Surah 2:178
28
Q

What do religious people think of different types of crime?

A

Hate crimes:
- Christians + Muslims both against
- Jesus taught to love your neighbour - treat with compassion, care + respect
- he would condemn criminal actions - no crime shows love for the victim

Murder:
- worn for both Christians and Muslims
- only God has right and authority to take life

Theft:
- not justifiable for Christians or Muslims to steal to supply food for family
- theft not allowed in the Ten Commandments

29
Q

Bible + Qur’an quotes on murder

A
  • “You shall not murder” - Exodus 20:13
  • “Do not take life which God has made sacred, except by right” - Qur’an 17:33
30
Q

Why do we punish criminals?

A
  • if society has laws, there should be punishments for breaking them
  • deter them from reoffending
  • protect people and law and order
  • make the criminal a better person
  • reduce crime levels
  • provide compensation for victims
31
Q

Give 5 types of punishment

A
  • police warning
  • community service
  • prison
  • fine
  • death penalty
32
Q

What are the 3 aims of punishment?

A

Retribution
- to get your own back
- criminals should receive the same (not greater) injuries and harm that they inflicted
- murder: murderer should be killed

Deterrence
- put people off committing crimes - punishment received is an example and warning to others
- harsh punishment = less likely people will copy the crime + deter offender from reoffending

Reformation
- change someone’s behaviour for the better
- eg. counselling + community service to understand what was wrong
- hope that offenders will change their attitude and return to society as a responsible law abiding citizen

33
Q

what is the Christian attitude to retribution + quote?

A
  • eye for eye teaching shouldn’t be taken literally but punishment should be severe enough to match seriousness of crime
  • murderers shouldn’t necessarily be killed for murder
  • most prefer other aims that are less harmful and more positive
  • “Do not take revenge… but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written “It is mine to avenge I will repay,” says the Lord” - Romans 12:19
34
Q

What is the Muslim attitude to retribution + quote?

A
  • criminals should receive back same injuries that they caused
  • murderers shouldn’t always be killed - victim’s family can accept compensation for showing mercy to the murder and preventing execution
  • favoured aim - actions against Shari’ah law = actions against God
  • “We prescribed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye” - Qur’an 5:45
35
Q

What is the Christian attitude to deterrence?

A
  • agree with deterring people from crime but not punishments that cause mental/physical harm or infringe offender’s rights
  • against public punishments - offenders should be treated with respect despite their actions
36
Q

what is the Muslim attitude to deterrence + quote?

A
  • Shari’ah punishments done in public - deter onlookers from committing crime
  • punishments: amputation of hand of thief, execution of murderer
  • “Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are man or woman, as punishment for what they have done - a deterrent from God” - Qur’an 5:38
37
Q

what is the Christian attitude to reformation + quote?

A
  • preferred aim of punishment - positive + works with individuals to improve their life chances
  • not a replacement for punishment but happens alongside it even for the worst offenders
  • “if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… overcome evil with good” - Romans 12:20-21
38
Q

what is the Muslim attitude to reformation?

A
  • offenders need to seek forgiveness from God and become purified
  • more likely if the offender is reformed - from educational and financial assistance
  • not a replacement for punishment but happens alongside punishment even for the worst offenders
39
Q

what is suffering?

A
  • it is an unfortunate part of life that no one can avoid
  • caused by natural events or human behaviour
40
Q

what do Christians believe about suffering?

A
  • they have a duty to help those who are suffering and recognise the good that can come from suffering
  • they try to follow Jesus’s example - he helped many who were suffering and told his followers to do the same
  • “We also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” - Romans 5:3-4
41
Q

what do Muslims believe about suffering?

A
  • God allows suffering for reasons unknown to people
  • it may be a test from God but he doesn’t make people suffer more than they can endure
  • Iblis causes temptation and suffering
  • they have a duty to help those suffering and recognise the good that comes out of it
  • “You are sure to be tested through your possessions and persons; you are sure to hear much that is hurtful… if you are steadfast and mindful of God, that is the best course” - Qur’an 3:186
42
Q

why does a loving God allow suffering?

A
  • wrong to blame God for suffering caused by human actions - he could control them and stop them
  • God gave humans freewill and gave guidance to use it responsibly
  • humans can’t do whatever they want whenever because this would probably increase suffering
  • law - guidance about the best way to use freewill + punishments for those who cause suffering
43
Q

what do Christians believe about causing suffering to others?

A
  • Jesus - love + respect others + don’t use violence for self defence - may increase suffering
  • doesn’t always work - may accidentally increase suffering
  • if this happens - apologise + repair damage caused to restore relationship
  • eg. when Jesus was arrested Peter cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear - Jesus rebuked him + fixed the ear
  • try to heal the wrong done and suffering caused
44
Q

what do Muslims believe about causing suffering to others?

A
  • share identity with the whole Ummah (community) - care + provide for those in need
  • no human is perfect - may accidentally cause suffering
  • if this happens - be honest with themselves + God + repair damage they have caused to repair relationships
  • God will forgive any Muslim who tries to correct their wrong and is sincerely sorry
  • eg. Allah forgave Adam and Hawwa when they were tempted by Iblis
45
Q

what are the 3 forms of punishment?

A

Prison:
- punishment for serious crimes
- loss of liberty - no choice on how they spend their time - everything is controlled
- locked in cells, fed and allowed exercise and interaction in other prisoners at set times
- work in prison for little money or join training or education programs

Corporal punishment:
- punish offenders by inflicting physical pain
- illegal in the UK + many countries
- allowed in some Muslims countries eg. Iran and Saudi Arabia - caning or amputation for theft
- often in public
- considered a breach of human rights

Community service:
- punishment for minor offences
- gives a chance for reform
- community payback - do supervised community work like cleaning graffiti off buildings
- treatment for addiction, counselling, education opportunities
- sometimes victim-offender meeting - victim tells their point of view, offender apologises

46
Q

what do Christians believe about prison as punishment?

A
  • prisoners should be treated well in prison
  • support them to make their time in prison useful by encouraging positive activities
  • prison conditions should be human and civilised
47
Q

what do Muslims believe about prison as punishment?

A
  • used less as a punishment, more as a place to keep people awaiting trial or punishment
  • prison may be a greater penalty than inflicting pain through corporal punishment
48
Q

what do Christians believe about corporal punishment?

A
  • most don’t support it
  • doesn’t try to reform the offender + physically harms the person
  • negative and harmful punishment
49
Q

What do Muslims believe about corporal punishment?

A
  • used in some Muslim countries
  • often in public - acts as a deterrent (?)
  • laid down in Shari’ah law- used for offences like gambling, adultery and drinking alcohol (80 lashes)
50
Q

what do Christians believe about community service as punishment?

A
  • support it for offenders who might benefit from it
  • they can make up for what they’ve done wrong (repatriation), deters them from reoffending and reforms them - they realise the consequences of their actions
  • no harm done - positive
51
Q

what do Muslims believe about community service as punishment?

A
  • not used much in Shari’ah law - not seen as enough of a deterrent
  • nothing in Shari’ah law about punishments for community crimes like fraud and antisocial behaviour - can include rehabilitation
52
Q

what is forgiveness?

A

showing mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

53
Q

what do Christians believe about forgiveness?

A
  • people who commit crimes should be forgiven if possible but also punished for justice to be done
  • punishment should benefit the offender in order for reformation
  • God expects Christians to forgive others no matter what they have done and in return will forgive them for what they’ve done
  • there is no upper limit to forgiveness
54
Q

Bible quotes on forgiveness?

A
  • “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” - Luke 23:34
  • “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” - Our Father prayer
  • “‘Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother if he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times’” - Matthey 18:21-22
55
Q

what do Muslims believe about forgiveness?

A

There are 2 types of forgiveness:
1. Forgiveness from God
- only God can truly forgive
- he only forgives those who are truly sorry and intend to follow the faith properly
- links to compassionate + merciful God
2. Forgiveness from humans
- people should forgive each other - establish good over evil
- offender should seek victim’s forgiveness before God’s forgiveness
- if they repeat the act unknowingly it should be forgiven again

56
Q

Qur’an + Hadith quotes on forgiveness?

A
  • “Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not wish that God should forgive you? God is most forgiving and merciful” - Qur’an 24:22
  • “Pardon each others faults and God will grant you honour” - Hadith
57
Q

What is capital punishment?

A

it is the death penalty - a prisoner is put to death for their crimes

58
Q

what is the principle of utility?
does it support the death penalty?

A
  • the idea that an action is right if it promotes maximum happiness for the maximum number of people
  • sometimes its right
  • but if the death penalty is used as retribution it is wrong
  • if it is proven to protect society then it is justified since it has been proven that many people will benefit
59
Q

what is the sanctity of life?
does it support the death penalty?

A
  • the idea that all life is holy as it is created and loved by God - it shouldn’t be misused or abused
  • no - death penalty is wrong since it is taking away human life
  • but sometimes justice can override this - eg. “eye for an eye”
60
Q

what is the legal perspective on the death penalty?

A
  • abolished in the UK in 1969 - no criminal has been executed since then
  • illegal in the European Community
  • legal in some US states, China, and some Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia
61
Q

are people who receive the death penalty always guilty?

A
  • no - 3 people executed in the 50s in the UK were pardoned because new evidence came that cast doubt over their guilt
  • several people who have faced the death penalty have later been freed from prison because they were innocent
62
Q

Why would a Christian agree with the death penalty?

A
  • Genesis 9:6 and Exodus 21:23-24 teach retribution - justified for those who commit the worst crimes
  • deters people from committing horrific crimes because they could lose their life for it
  • protects society by removing the worst criminals from reoffending - 39.3% of inmates reoffend with 12 months of release
63
Q

why would a Christian disagree with the death penalty?

A
  • Ezekiel 33:11 teahces that wrongdoers should be reformed - that can’t happen if the criminal is dead
  • not much evidence the death penalty is a deterrent - US murder rate is 3.9 per 100000 people whereas UK rate is 0.9 per 100000 people
  • many murders are done in the spur of the moment - the death penalty doesn’t cross the murderer’s mind
  • God gave life and only God has the authority to take it away
64
Q

What do Muslims believe about the death penalty?

A
  • teachings favour the death penalty and Shari’ah law says it should be used for crimes like murder and rape - deterrent + fair retribution
  • but victim is also encouraged to show mercy by accepting compensation from the murderer
  • not all Muslims support the death penalty - some see it as a misinterpretation of the Qur’an’s teachings
65
Q

Qur’an quotes about the death penalty?

A
  • “Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right” - Qur’an 6:151 - murder is wrong
  • “But if the culprit is pardoned by his aggrieved brother, this shall be adhered to fairly, and the culprit shall pay what is due in a good way” - Qur’an 2:178