Theme E Crime and Punishment

Question 1

Types of crime

Answer 1

Crime against people
Crime against property
Crime against public order

Question 2

Causes of crime

Answer 2

poor upbringing
mental illness
poverty
money
addiction

Question 3

Evil

Answer 3

a wicked or immoral act

Question 4

Religious ideas about the origins of evil

Answer 4

Buddhism:
evil actions are strongly motivated by the three root poisons
No one is truly evil as they have the capacity to change

Christianity:
Evil is the abuse of free will God gave humans
Satan tempts humans

Question 5

punishment

Answer 5

Deterrence:
Stop people committing a crime by giving a harsh penalty
Death penalty

Retribution:
Getting your own back
The punishment should fit the crime
death penalty or life sentence for a murderer

Reformation:
Changing the behaviour of a criminal so they reform
Community service
prison

Question 6

Utilitarianism

Answer 6

Bringing the greater good for the greatest number of people

Question 7

Religious attitudes to crime and punishment

Answer 7

Buddhism:
recognises the need for a justice system
emphasises compassion so they oppose cruel punishments
prefer reformation to make that person better

Christianity:
“An eye for an eye” - retribution

Question 8

Forgiveness of a criminal

Answer 8

Religions believe it is important to forgive the criminal
“forgive not 7 times but 77 times”

Question 9

Corporal punishment

Answer 9

Physical harm as a punishment
Illegal in the UK

First moral precept “Do not harm another living being”
“An eye for an eye” - agree as it supports retribution
“Forgive not 7 times but 77 times”

Capital Punishment - death penalty

Question 10

Religious Arguments for and against corporal punishment

Answer 10

For:
“an eye for an eye”
Deterrence
Justice for victims
Life sentences do not mean life
Waste of resources

Against:
Killing them does not end suffering
Killing a terrorist would make them martyrs
Ahimsa
Sanctity of life