Theme E - Crime And Punishment

Question 1

What would Christians say about crime?

Answer 1

-10 Commandments “do not commit adultery”
- Drunkenness is not permitted
- thou shall not kill (murder)
- Thou shall not steal (theft)
- “ love thy neighbour” (hate crime)

Question 2

What would Buddhists say about crime?

Answer 2

-committing crime causes suffering
- abstain from sexual misconduct (sexual abuse)
- Abstain from taking what it’s not really given (theft)
- Abstain from taking intoxicants the cloud mind (crimes committed while drunk)

Question 3

Give example examples of reasons for crime

Answer 3

• upbringing
• Opposition to existing laws
• Greed or hate
• Addiction
• Poverty
• Mental illness

Question 4

Explain two similar religious beliefs about murder

Answer 4

Some christians believe that murder is wrong as only God should be able to give or take life. One of the 10 Commandments is “thou shall not kill“ and life is considered sacred.

Some Buddhists also believe that murder is wrong as said in the five mole precepts “abstain from taking life”. These are the words of the Buddha and therefore should be obeyed to gain good karma.

Question 5

Christian quote for reasons for committing crime

Answer 5

• “ let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established”

Question 6

What are the three aims of punishment?

Answer 6

• deterrence
• Reformation
• Retribution

Question 7

What is deterrence?

Answer 7

• To put people off committing crimes e.g. public execution

Question 8

What is reformation?

Answer 8

• To change someone’s behaviour for the better e.g. community service

Question 9

What is retribution?

Answer 9

• To get your own back e.g. the death penalty

Question 10

What would Christian say about deterrence?

Answer 10

They do not support punishments that are excessively harsh. They oppose public humiliation.

Question 11

What would the Buddhist say about deterrence

Answer 11

It may not work if people are in grip of the three poisons. Motive for punishment is the protection of society.

Question 12

What would Christians say about reformation?

Answer 12

Christian’s favourite reformation over the other aims of punishment. It works to improve the individuals life chances.

Question 13

What would Buddhists say about reformation?

Answer 13

Criminals should be encouraged to recognise the suffering they’ve caused and apologise.

Question 14

What would Christians say about retribution?

Answer 14

• “ thou shall not kill “
• “ an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”

Question 15

What would Buddhists say about retribution?

Answer 15

• “ abstain from taking life”
• Buddhists may say it causes more suffering than is necessary and maybe a result of bad karma

Question 16

Christian quotes for forgiveness

Answer 16

• “ forgive them for they know not what they do”
• “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sends against me? Up to 7 times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times but 77 times”

Question 17

Explain two religious beliefs about prison

Answer 17

Christians believe that prisoners should be used for serious crimes, many Christians strongly support trying to support prisoners in prison in order to have a better life when they are released.

Buddhists believe that prison is a place to put criminals in order to protect society as it is irresponsible to let criminals walk around freely where they may cause suffering.

Question 18

Christian views on prison

Answer 18

• loss of freedom
• Should be used for serious crimes

Question 19

Buddhist views on prison

Answer 19

• Present is used to protect society from criminals as it is irresponsible to let criminals walk around freely

Question 20

Christian views on community service

Answer 20

• christians generally agree that this is a suitable punishment for fairly minor offences

Question 21

Buddhist views on community service

Answer 21

• They approve of community service as it helps rehabilitate the criminal

Question 22

Christian views on Corporal punishment (causing an offender physical pain)

Answer 22

• Completely unacceptable to impose pain on others no matter what they’ve done

Question 23

Buddhist views on corporal punishment

Answer 23

• it is likely to encourage resentment rather than reformation
• Don’t cause harm to others or cause suffering

Question 24

Arguments for the death penalty

Answer 24

• “ an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”
• “ whoever kills a man should be put to death”
• Some crimes are unforgivable and offenders can’t be reformed
• The death penalty helps the victim, their families and future victims

Question 25

Arguments against the death penalty

Answer 25

- “ an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but now I tell you, if someone slaps you on the right cheek, show them to the left cheek also” - “ thou shall not kill” - there is no chance for forgiveness or reformation. Christianity teaches that people should be forgiven “ 77 times” - Buddhists would say that you’re causing more suffering (family of criminal)