RS Edexcel: Crime and Punishment

WHY SOCIETY NEED LAWS

• So people know what is expected
• So people are protected from violence and crime
• So people may enjoys rewards from their efforts.

WHY LAWS NEED TO BE JUST:

• If laws are unjust, people will feel it is right to break them
• If some laws are unjust, some people may think all laws are unjust
• If laws don't give justice, some people may take it upon themselves to inforce justice

DETERRENCE- punishment puts people off from commiting the crime again

For: puts people off, harsh punishment    Against: may not deter people

REFORM - punishments should try and change people

For: gives a second chance, teach others    Against: people can obuse the privaledge

RETRIBUTION - punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done

For: sense of justice     Against: contradicts Christian values and punishments are harsh

CHRISTIANS

• Christians should follow the example of Jesus who treated people in a fair way
• Jesus taught people to be treated fairly and not to be cheated "so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you"
• Bibles teaches everyone should be treated equally "all one in Christ"
• Christians believe in judgement day

MUSLIMS

• Qur'an states that there should be justice for all muslims and justice should come to families
• Muhammad showed justice to his enemyies "let hatred of a people incite you to act justly; be just"
• Muslims believe in a judgement day, they will act justly so that Allah acts justly to them
• Two of Allah's names are link with justice "Judge" and "Just"

CHRISTIANS

• 'Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged'
• Jesus said to forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
• Jesus' example of reform: "then neither do i condemn you, now go and sin no more"
• Jesus encouraged people to settle their differences out of court

MUSLIMS

• God sees everything and will judge on judgement day
• Qur'an lays down a punishment for certain crimes
• Strict punishments are only given as a last resort and family circumstances are taken into account

NON RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS

For-

• act as a deterrent 
• ultimate retribution
• helps bring closure
• cheaper than prison

Against-

• innocent people wrongly accused
• people who face death penalty may kill to escape
• terrorist executed, may encourage maytrs
• executions = easier sentence

CHRISTIAN ARGUMENTS

For -

• bible uses capital punishment
• such a serious crime that death penalty is legal
• christian church used it so it isn't unchristians
• christians must obey capital punishment if it is the law

Against -

• jesus band retribution "an eye for an eye"
• jesus came to save sinners
• only god has the right to take a life
• may execute people who are mentally ill and jesus came to save them

MUSLIMS ARGUMENTS

For  -

• shari'ah law allows capital punishment for some crimes
• prophet muhammad agreed with capital punishement
• "you shalt not kill" - therefore those who do receive the death penalty

Against -

• Shari'ah law only suggests it, it isnt compulsory
• muslims can't accept blood money
• judgement day (should they agree with it?)

ALCOHOL:

• Surah 2:19 'alcohol is a great sin'
• Muhammad said 'alcohol is an intoxicant and all Khamr is Haram'
• All muslims believe their bodies were created by Allah and should be looked after till judgement day
• Hadith says 'Allah has cursed wine'

DRUGS:

• Islam is opposed to drugs unless medically prescribed
• Drugs enable people to escape from life and not serve Allah
• Work of Satan
• Stop people from praying (5 times a day)

ALCOHOL:

For -

• wedding at cana - Jesus turned water into wine and they drank wine at the last supper
• St. Paul said wine helps with digestions

AGAINST -

• impares judgement
• "your body is the temple if the holy spirit" - dont abuse it

DRUGS:

• biblical teachings say to follow the laws of the land
• illegal drugs are damaging for the body
• illegal drugs can break down relationships
• can lead to crime to get money for drugs
• acting in a non christian way