1. Learning Objective:
Learn what capital punishment is and identify some different attitudes for and against it.

2. All students will be able to explain what capital punishment is and identify some basic attitudes towards it.
(level 4)
Most students should be able to explain what capital punishment is and identify a number of different religious attitudes towards it.
(Level 5)
Some students might be able to explain in detail what capital punishment is and identify in detail a number of different religious and non religious attitudes towards it.
(Level 6)

3. What is capital punishment?
Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the killing of a person as a punishment for an illegal offense.
Some examples of how death can be caused are lethal injection, the electric chair, firing squad, gas chamber, hanging.
Let’s look at a
definition.

4. Which crimes do you think are punished by the death penalty?
(Discuss in pairs and feedback to the rest of the class before we look at some answers)
Murder
Terrorism
Treason
Rape
Kidnapping
Arson
Drug dealing
Homosexuality
Prostitution
Adultery
Witchcraft
Fraud

5. Capital punishment is a very controversial topic with different people from different groups all having their own opinion on the subject.
There are nearly 100 countries who still have capital punishment in pace today.

6. Christian
Against
For
Capital
Punishment
Buddhist
Islam

7. With the person next to you can you think of any reasons why people might support capital punishment?

8. Arguments for Capital Punishment
Capital punishment is often justified with the argument that by executing convicted murderers, we will deter would-be murderers from killing people.
It provides closure for the victims family.
It stops people from committing the same crime twice.
If someone has taken another persons life then the punishment should reflect that crime. E.g. a life for a life.

9. Let’s summarise the arguments for capital punishment.
1) It will help to stop others from committing similar crimes
2) It provides closure for the victims family
3) The criminal cant commit the same crime again once they’ve been killed.
4) Sometimes it can be a fair trade e.g. a life in exchange for a life.

10. With the person next to you can you think of any reasons why people might be against capital punishment?

11. Arguments Against Capital Punishment
Life is valuable and even the worst criminals shouldn’t have that taken away from them.
What if the evidence was wrong or someone was framed? An innocent person may end up being sentenced to death.
Evidence suggests that the death penalty doesn't seem to deter people from committing serious violent crimes. The thing that deters is the likelihood of being caught and punished.
We shouldn’t teach that killing is wrong
by killing.

12. Arguments Against Capital Punishment

13. Arguments Against Capital Punishment

14. Let’s summarise the arguments against capital punishment.
1) Life is so valuable we shouldn’t have the right to take it away from someone.
2) If the evidence is wrong an innocent person could die.
3) The death penalty doesn’t actually stop people from committing crimes.
4) We can’t teach society that killing is wrong by having someone killed.

15. Christian Attitudes
Christians do not agree on for or against capital punishment. There are those who think the Bible tells us that capital punishment is correct and those who think the Bible tells us it is wrong.

16. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.”
For
Against
Christians who support the death penalty often do so on the ground that they believe the Old Testament tells us that capital punishment is what God wants.
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.”
Genesis 9:6
Christians who are against the death penalty believe that life is sacred as it is a gift from God, and therefore only God can decide when life ends.
They also argue that one of the 10 commandments is;
“Thou shalt not kill.”
Exodus 21:13

17. Let’s summarise some of the Christian attitudes on capital punishment.
1) Not all Christians believe the same thing.
2) Some believe capital punishment is ok because the bible says “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” (Genesis 9:6)
3) God should choose when we die as life is given to us from God.
4) One of the 10 Commandments says “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 21:13)

18. Buddhist Attitudes
Most Buddhists believe that capital punishment and the death penalty is wrong.
Buddhists place great emphasis on non-violence and compassion for all life.
Whilst The Buddha did not speak about capital punishment, the main beliefs of Buddhism requires individuals to abstain from injuring or killing any living creature.
“An action, even if it brings benefit to oneself, cannot be considered a good action if it causes physical and mental pain to another being.”
The Buddha

19. Let’s summarise some of the Buddhist attitudes on capital punishment.
1) Buddhists believe in non violence against all living things.
2) Buddhists disagree with killing any living creature.
3) Buddha said “An action cannot be considered a good action if it causes physical and pain to another being.”

20. Islam Attitudes
Those who follow Islam are called Muslims.
On the whole Muslims accept capital punishment.
“...Take not life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law.”
Qur'an 6:151
But even though the death penalty is allowed, forgiveness is preferable. Forgiveness, together with peace, is a predominant theme in the Qur’an.

21. Let’s summarise some of the Muslim attitudes on capital punishment.
1) On the whole Muslims agree with capital punishment.
2) Most Muslims believe that a life can be taken if it is for justice.
3) Muslims would prefer forgiveness and peace and capital punishment is only used as a last resort.

22. What are your own personal views on capital punishment?
‘A life for a life. Capital punishment should be reintroduced to the United Kingdom.’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view.

23. All students will be able to explain what capital punishment is and identify some basic attitudes towards it.
(level 4)
Most students should be able to explain what capital punishment is and identify a number of different religious attitudes towards it.
(Level 5)
Some students might be able to explain in detail what capital punishment is and identify in detail a number of different religious and non religious attitudes towards it.
(Level 6)