Religion, crime and punishment

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Buddhist views on corporal punishment
Cruel punishments breach the principle of ahimsa and have no benefits at all for those involved. They create bitterness and resentment in the mind of the person being punished and encourage callousness on the part of the person administering it.
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Why do some Christians agree with the use of corporal punishment?
Some fundamentalist Christians might accept it on the basis of Old Testament teaching such as: ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. They might think corporal punishment has a deterrent value.
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Why do some Christians disagree with the use of corporal punishment?
harsh treatment of others is shows a lack of love. It does not encourage the offender to think in terms of being forgiven and having a second chance. Moreover, Jesus’ teaching that those who live by the sword die by the sword
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Why does Buddhism generally oppose capital punishment?
it shows neither loving kindness nor compassion towards the offender. They believe in giving the offender the opportunity for reformation. The Dhammadpada states: ‘All living things fear being put to death. Putting oneself in the place of the other,
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Why do some Buddhist nations use capital punishment?
It is a way of protecting their citizens. The negative kammic effects of the execution of one offender are seen as outweighed by the security given to many people who might otherwise have been his/her victims, showing loving-kindness
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Why do some Christians agree with capital punishment?
Some Christians think it is the only just penalty for some acts of murder. They interpret ‘an eye for an eye, a life for a life’ as sanctioning strict retribution. It means that the family of the victim will feel able to move on.
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Why do some Christians disagree with capital punishment?
Many denominations, eg the Anglican Church, oppose it as contrary to New Testament teaching to leave vengeance to God. Jesus rejected the ‘eye for an eye’ law with the words: If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the left also.
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Buddhist attitudes towards forgiveness
The willingness to forgive is central to Buddhism. The person who forgives practises loving-kindness and compassion, which builds up good kamma. Hatred is one of the Three Poisons and makes liberation from samsara impossible. Buddha taught: ‘Holding-
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Why do some Christians believe that we should always forgive?
In the Lord’s Prayer, Christians say ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us’. When Peter asked Jesus whether it was sufficient to forgive someone seven times, Jesus replied, ‘Not seven times but seventy times seven’
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Why do some Christians disagree with 'always forgiving'?
Some Christians think that forgiveness can only be offered to those who are sorry for what they have done. Without repentance, forgiveness is meaningless. Jesus said, ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him’.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Some fundamentalist Christians might accept it on the basis of Old Testament teaching such as: ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. They might think corporal punishment has a deterrent value.

Back

Why do some Christians agree with the use of corporal punishment?

Card 3

Front

harsh treatment of others is shows a lack of love. It does not encourage the offender to think in terms of being forgiven and having a second chance. Moreover, Jesus’ teaching that those who live by the sword die by the sword

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

it shows neither loving kindness nor compassion towards the offender. They believe in giving the offender the opportunity for reformation. The Dhammadpada states: ‘All living things fear being put to death. Putting oneself in the place of the other,

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

It is a way of protecting their citizens. The negative kammic effects of the execution of one offender are seen as outweighed by the security given to many people who might otherwise have been his/her victims, showing loving-kindness

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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