1. Crime and Punishment

2. For your exam you need to know:
The need for law and justice.
Theories of punishment and the arguments for and against them.
Why justice is important for Christians and Muslims.
The nature of capital punishment and non-religious arguments about capital punishment.
Different attitudes to capital punishment among Christians and Muslims and the reasons for them.
Laws on drugs and alcohol and the reasons for them.
Social and health problems caused by drugs and alcohol.
Different attitudes to drugs and alcohol in Christianity and Muslims and the reasons for them.

3. Write down the meaning of these keywords
Sin
An act against the will of God
Crime
An action against the criminal law
Reform
Using punishment to help people not to offend again and so become law abiding citizens
Deterrence
Making punishments so severe that people will be put off committing crimes
Retribution
Using punishment to make criminals suffer and pay for the wrong they have done
Justice
due allocation of reward and punishment/the maintenance of what is right

4. Addiction
a recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its bad effects
Capital punishment
death penalty for a crime or offence
Judgement
the act of judging people and their actions
Law
rules made by Parliament and enforceable by the courts
Rehabilitation
restore to normal life
Responsibility
being responsible for one’s actions

5. So people know how to act towards each other
To protect the weak from the strong and to allow people to live in safety and order
Laws allow people to feel safe and secure
But are there times when laws need to be broken?
What about when it is an emergency?
What about when some laws are unfair?
Reasons why are
laws needed
To keep control of society and avoid chaos and accidents e.g speeding
With out laws people could murder and steal without fear

6. Why we need justice
Justice means that fairness happens to all. If someone does something wrong it means that they and the rest of society are treated fairly.
If the law was unfair to society then people may break it (this happened when Poll Tax was introduced in the 80’s/90’s).
If punishments are unfair by being too lenient then it can lead to vigilantism – people take the law in to their own hands which is unfair as it often goes too far.

7. Christian Attitudes to Justice
Remember, justice means being fair and treating people equally is of utmost importance to both Christians and Muslims
Jesus taught that people should act in a just way towards each other because God is just. If you want to be treated fairly, you must act that way too. People should “love thy neighbour”
The Bible teaches that God is just. He will reward the good and will punish those who are unjust.
In the Bible Jesus taught the parable of the sheep and goats which says that God expects everyone to be treated fairly, regardless of what they’ve done (prisoners should be visited and cared for).
The Bible teaches what is fair: The Old Testament says “an eye for an eye” which shows that punishment shouldn’t be more than the crime
Jesus worked for equality, and often was revolutionary. He said that “eye for an eye” was old school and instead people should fight injustice with love

8. One way which Christians work for justice in the world is through the organisation Christian Aid. They work in some of the poorest places in the world, with Christians AND non-Christians because they believe that they must work for equality for all. They do it because of the reasons given on the previous slide.
Some of the things they do are:
Support sustainable development so that all people have a basic standard of living e.g. drill wells for clean water, help irrigate crops
They work to ensure that people are treated fairly by their governments e.g. in Bolivia they support farmers whose land has been taken off them without compensation
They build factories which manufacture basic drugs in countries who can’t afford to import the most basic of medicines for their people.
They campaign for people to receive fair trials, regardless of what they are accused of

9. Why Muslims should work for Justice:
The fear of punishment in the afterlife
Allah is just and He will reward those who are good and punish those who are evil on the Day of Judgement to make it fair
5 Pillars
Justice is the basis of the 5 Pillars of Islam (especially zakah where richer Muslims give 2.5% of their income to poorer ones) . In fact if a Muslim has savings, the interest earned on them is given to the poor as they are taught that the rich should help the poor, not just make themselves even richer.
Shari’ah Law
According to Shari’ah law (Islamic law) punishment must be only handed out when in the right frame of mind e.g. not angry or distracted. It must be fair to the accused as well as the victim.
Qur’an
The Qur’an teaches that Allah and Muhammad acted with justice and so Muslims should follow their example.

10. Purposes of punishment
The Theory of punishment What some people think punishments should be about
Deterrence
If we punish harshly enough, it will put other people off doing the same crime
Retribution
It should be about making someone pay for what they have done, and be seen by others to be punished
Purposes of punishment
Reparation
Using punishment to allow a criminal to make right their wrong to their victim or to society. Community service is an example of this
Protection
Prison etc takes the dangerous people out of society and so keeps everyone else safe
Reform
Punishment should be about trying to make a person realised that what they did was wrong and make them never want to do it again

11. But what are the problems with these theories behind punishing?
Deterrence
Some crimes are in the heat of the moment, so the consequences are not thought about
Retribution
But does this work as well for someone who assists someone with voluntary euthanasia?
Purposes of punishment
Reparation
How can a murderer or drink driver make amends to their victim’s family?
Protection
Not all crimes are dangerous to the safety of others so this wouldn’t always work e.g a debtor
Reform
How can you tell if someone is reformed? Will society be happy in using tax payers money to pay for a criminal to be retrained as a plumber etc?

12. Punishment – Christians believe:
the purpose of punishment is reform
and prisoners should be helped do this
Those punished should be treated properly. Elizabeth Fry campaigned in the 1800’s for better conditions for prisoners e.g. medical attention and education
All punishment should be fair and people should be treated well in order to be rewarded by God, as told in the parable of the sheep and the goats

13. Test yourself Give 3 theories of punishment
Give an advantage and disadvantage of reform
Give 2 reasons why laws are needed
Give 2 reasons why justice is important to Christians
Give 2 reasons why justice is important to Muslims

14. Non-Religious Arguments about Capital Punishment:
For:
The death penalty is a deterrent for those thinking about committing a serious crime
It means society can rid itself of dangerous people so they can’t be a treat again
It is cheaper than keeping someone in prison for life
It is a fair punishment for those who commit the most horrendous crimes
Against:
There have been many cases of the innocent executed (over 130 people on death row in the USA since 1976 have been found innocent
Countries with execution still seem to have high crime rates! The USA has one of the highest murder rates in ratio to the number of people living there
It may force some criminals to kill rather than be caught
It makes us as bad as the criminals

15. Christian views on Capital Punishment:
Most Christians are against the death penalty as:
1. St Paul said “Do not repay anyone evil with evil” (Romans 12);
2. They also believe in the Sanctity of life – all life is holy and belongs to God so it is not up to people to take anyone’s life
3. It also goes against the idea of reform
4. The Decalogue says “Do not kill”
However, other Christians believe it is a way of preventing serious crime as:
1. The Old Testament allows capital punishment
2. St Thomas Aquinas argued that peace and order in society is more important than reforming a wrongdoer.
3. It has been used in the past by Christians
4. Jesus said “Whoever curses his father or his mother is to be put to death” Matthew 15!

16. There are 2 Muslim views
The Qur’an says that it may be allowed in just causes – murder, adultery and working against Islam
“Take not life – which God has made sacred – except for a just cause” (Hadith).
Also, Muhammad also sentenced murderers to death and so Muslims may follow his example
Shari’ah law allows the death penalty for deliberate murder
However,
The Qur’an does not allow it for all crimes, and does allow the criminal to pay a victim or their family ‘blood money’ instead (reparation)
The prophet Muhammad didn’t enforce the death penalty showing that it is not compulsory
Muslims would use the non-religious arguments too

17. Amnesty International A non-religious organisation who disagree with capital punishment
Amnesty work for justice and to ensure that everyone has Human Rights. They believe that no matter what someone has done, the death penalty goes against Human Rights.

18. Laws on alcohol
It is illegal to give a child under 5 an alcoholic drink except under medical supervision in an emergency
Young people aged 16 or 17 can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. It is illegal for a 16 and 17 year old to drink spirits in a pub or with a meal.
This is because too much alcohol for our bodies can be a poison. Children need protecting.
Spirits are more concentrated and in comparison to others alcoholic drinks, less is needed for the effects to be felt. Food lines the stomach and helps to counteract the effects.

19. The effects Crime occurs
Drinkers and drug users are more likely to be the victims of crime or the cause of violence. 50% of street crime is related to drink
Accidents happen
Statistics show that someone drunk or on drugs is more likely to harm themselves or others, especially if they are driving.
Leads to addiction
Alcohol is as much a drug as heroin is and people become addicted. Without medical help and treatment for rehabilitation, people are trapped by their habit.
Relationships fail
Partners and families frequently find that they are no longer able to deal with an addict who lies to them and treats them badly
Causes health problems
Liver damage is one of the well known effects of heavy drinking and it is irreversible. Equally, heart rate and blood pressure rises leading to long-term heart damage. Drugs steadily destroy people’s vital organs, as well as causing permanent damage to the brain.

20. Laws on drugs
Many drugs are controlled and put in to categories A,B or C. Class A include things like heroin, class C includes doctor prescribed drugs. It is illegal to supply these unless
The police have powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying illegal drugs, or suspected to be driving under the influence of illegal drugs

21. Christian views on drugs and alcohol
There are 2 attitudes towards the use of alcohol. These reasons are on the next slide.
All Christians are against the use of illegal drugs, and the misuse of drugs. This is because the body is special and should not be misused with these things
Most churches have issued statements saying that drug abuse is wrong and pointing out the social problems they cause
Groups such as the Salvation Army offer drink and drugs programmes to help support people come off them and rebuild their lives

22. Opinion 1: Alcohol in moderation is fine because:
The Bible says that Jesus’ first miracle was at the Wedding at Cana where he turned water in to wine.
Jesus would also have drunk wine as a traditional way of welcoming in the Sabbath day.
At the last supper Jesus shared wine with his followers and instructed them to this in the future to remember him. Today Christians do this when they celebrate with Holy Communion.
Note! Being drunk is NOT ok though as it can lead to suffering

23. Opinion 2: Some Christians (Salvation Army/Methodists) do not allow any alcohol to be drunk
The Bible also teaches that people are special and made in the image of God so should not abuse their bodies
The Bible says “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?”
(1 Corinthian 6:19)
They see the devastation that alcohol can cause. They work in some of the most deprived areas and see that a lot of social problems are caused by drink

24. They are haram – forbidden by the Qur’an
All Muslims are against the use of alcohol and drug abuse. They do allow healing drugs and alcohol to be used in medical situations.
The Qur’an has many teachings on the dangers of drinking and gambling.
Also the prophet Muhammad taught that they are wrong and so Muslims follow his example:
“Intoxicants are the mother of all evils. Alcohol is not a medicine but a disease.”
They are haram – forbidden by the Qur’an
They destroy the body and no one has the right to do this because they believe that Allah owns are bodies
Islam aims to create a peaceful and just society and so this makes drugs and alcohol evil.

25. Test yourself What is capital punishment?
Give 2 non-religious arguments for and against capital punishment
Give the 2 different Christian views on capital punishment
What do Muslims think about the death penalty?
When do Muslims believe that it is acceptable to use the death penalty?
Why do Muslims and Christians hate drug abuse?
Give a reason for each of the Christian opinions on the use of alcohol
Why are Muslims against drinking alcohol?

26. End of unit test What is meant by retribution? (2)
Do you agree that justice is more important to religious people than anyone else? Give 2 reasons for your point of view (4)
Explain Christian attitudes to capital punishment (8)
“Punishment should only be to reform the wrongdoer.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion showing that you have considered other points of view. At least one view must be religious (6)