1. Religion and Authority
In this unit we will look at:
Why do people keep laws?
Why we should obey the law?
How do we treat someone who breaks the law?
How should we deal with offenders?
What if the law is wrong?

2. Starter Write out your own definitions for the following words: Law
Community
Duty
Conscience
Human rights
Justice

3. Law – a set of rules that we keep to protect the community
Law – a set of rules that we keep to protect the community. If you break the law you can be arrested.
Community – A group of people that share aims, a group that decides what happens in their area.
Duty – a role or action that you fulfil to benefit of others.
Conscience – awareness of right and wrong, an innate sense of guidance.
Human rights – a set of conditions that every human being is entitled to.
Justice – a sense of fairness. Correct and proper actions when someone is wronged or offended against.

4. Why should we obey the law?
Give three reasons of why we should obey the law?

5. The Law Duties and expectations of people and communities
Written statements that define acceptable behaviour
Rules and agreed limits to behaviour and action

6. What do you think? What rules does the school have?
Why so we have school rules?
Should we punish people who break school rules?
Are there any school rules which you think are pointless?
Are there any rules that you think the school should add to it’s list?

7. Rules and laws in society
Society has it’s rules.
Rules for the local community are called BY-LAWS (decided by the council). Rules for the whole country are called LAWS (decided for by Parliament).

8. Crime and Punishment Exercise
Look at the list of crimes
For each crime, give a punishment for each of them (Left hand column).
Justify each of your choices
E.g. For the crime of raping two women I believe the man should receive life imprisonment because ……..

9. Lets discuss your answers
Are there any great differences?
How do we justify each punishment?
Does the punishment fit the crime?

10. The handout
Read the handout and answer the questions 1-5