Crime And Punishment: Need For Law And Justice

Question 1

Why are laws needed

Answer 1

All groups need rules that it’s members must follow

Laws in business make sure we are paid and treated fairly

Protect the weak from the strong

Keeps things organised in advanced societies such as the UK

Question 2

Must be a connection between law and justice

Answer 2

St aquinas said an unjust law is not a proper war because:

If a law is unjust people will feel that it is right to break the law

If some are unjust people may think all law are unjust

If laws don’t give justice people will take the law into their own hands

If people think the legal system is not working it may lead to a civil war

Question 3

Theories of punishment

Answer 3

Retribution: punished in proportion to crime e.g. Kill those that kill- believe criminals should suffer for what they have done wrong

Deterrence: if you cut someone’s hand off for stealing then they will not steal again and will put other people off stealing

Reform: include educating criminals so they gain qualifications and don’t have to turn to crime

Protection: keep criminals in prison for so long that when they are released they are no longer a danger

Question 4

Christian attitudes to justice

Answer 4

Justice is important to christians
God is just and rewards the good whilst punishing the bad

Believe in justice because:
Bible says god is a god of justice

Jesus said the rich should share with the poor

New Testament has lots of statements about how christians should treat people fairly

Question 5

Islam and justice:

Answer 5

Quran says god is just

Last day is concerned with justice

As khalifahs they must share the earths resources equally

Islam teaches all people should have equal rights (zakah)

Question 6

Capital punishment:

Non religious arguments in favour

Answer 6

Will deter crimes like
murder and terrorism

Murders are a threat to society and the if capital punishment ensures they won’t reoffend

The only retribution/compensation for murder is death

Question 7

Capital punishment:

No religious arguments against

Answer 7

Could be wrongly convicted

Countries without death penalty have lower murder rates so it doesn’t work

They don’t suffer they just have their life taken away

Question 8

Christin attitudes to capital punishment: against

Answer 8

Against:

Jesus came to save (reform) sinners. Can’t reform the death

Jesus banned the Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye”

Human life is sacred and only god can take it away

Jesus said turn to the other cheek

Question 9

Christian Attitudes to capital punishment: for

Answer 9

Some see it as a good way to keep order in society because…

Bible mentions it as a punishment for certain crimes and the bible comes from god

Catholic and C of E churches have not condemned the use of capital punishment

Church used it for crimes like heresy

Aquinas said peace in society was more important than reforming sinners

Question 10

Islamic attitudes to capital punishment: agree

Answer 10

Allowed for 3 crimes: murder, adultery and apostasy (someone working against Islam) must be clearly proven

Allow it because:

It is a punishment set down by god in the Quran. Do what god wants

Muhammad himself sentenced people to death

Shariah law lays down the crimes to be prescribed death and all Muslims try to follow this

Question 11

Islamic attitudes to capital punishment: against

Answer 11

Some Muslims are against it because they believe the Quran recommends capital

Sharia law allows victims family to be paid blood money for murder in place of death penalty

Question 12

U.K. Laws on tocbacco

Answer 12

Can’t sell to under 18s

Adverts for tobacco

products are banned

Question 13

U.K. Law on Alcohol

Answer 13

Supervised under 16s can go anywhere in a pub

Over 16s can have an alcoholic drink with a meal if accompanied by an adult

Question 14

Health problems: tobacco

Answer 14

Increased risk of getting over 50 medical conditions

Can cause impotence in men

Question 15

Health problems: drugs

Answer 15

Death through overdose

Major cause of mental illness

Question 16

Health problems: alcohol

Answer 16

Causes liver and stomach problems

Mental health problems

Question 17

Social problems: tobacco

Answer 17

Watching loved ones die

Unpleasant smell

Question 18

Social problems: drugs

Answer 18

Dealers are criminals

Major cause of gang crime

Question 19

Social problems: alcohol

Answer 19

Causes 41% of all deaths through falls

65% of murder victims have been drinking

Question 20

Christian attitudes to drugs and and alcohol

Answer 20

All against illegal drugs because:

St. Paul taught a christians body is a temple and should not be abused

Drugs have mental effects which make it hard to worship God correctly

Question 21

Christians attitudes towards tobacco and alcohol: allow it

Answer 21

They have 2 different attitudes: okay if used in moderation because

Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine

St. Paul said christians could drink in moderation

Jesus drank wine at the last supper

Question 22

Christian attitudes to drugs and alcohol: against

Answer 22

Bible warns against drunkenness e.g Noah’s drunkenness brought shame on the family

Bible notes alcohol “impairs judgment, inflamed passion and invites violence”

Question 23

Muslim attitudes to drugs and alcohol

Answer 23

Both prohibited as forbidden because:

Quran says Satan uses them to keep people from god

Muhammad calls them “Khamr” (forbidden)

Seen as suicide by Muslim lawyers which is banned

Muhammad says a number of times that Muslims should have nothing to do with alcohol

Tobacco is not mentioned in the Quran so declared as “makruh” which means extremely disliked but not “haram”