Crime and Punishment Keywords Crime: an act against the law Judgement: the act of judging people and their actions Justice: due allocation of reward and punishment/the maintenance of what is right Law: rules made by parliament and enforceable by the courts Capital Punishment: the death penalty for a crime or offence Deterrence: the idea that punishments should be of such a nature that they will put people off committing crimes Rehabilitation: restore to normal life Reform: the idea that punishments should try to change criminals so they will not commit crimes again Retribution: the idea that punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done wrong Sin: an act against the will of God Addiction: a recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its bad effects Responsibility: being responsible for one’s own actions

Why do we need laws? Groups need rules to organise the behaviour of individuals – people know what sort of behaviour to expect from each other People can work and be involved in business without someone else taking the rewards for their work Protects the weak from the strong Keeps everything organised in an advanced civilisation

Why Do Laws Need to be Just (Fair)? St Thomas Aquinas says: Otherwise people will feel it’s OK to break them and society may collapse If some are unjust, people may think all are – if they were they would not be fulfilling their purpose Otherwise people will not obey and will campaign causing trouble in society If laws don’t create a just society, people will think the legal system is not working and may start a civil war.

Christianity and Justice Christians believe justice is important because: Bible – teaches that God will reward the righteous and punish those who sin Bible – teaches that people should be treated fairly: ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’. Jesus – teaches the rich should share their wealth with the poor Christian Churches - campaign for justice and equality ‘…And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and saviour…’ ‘’Blessed are those who hunger and search for righteousness’ ‘Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God’ ‘Love thy neighbour”

Judaism and Justice Jews believe justice is important because: Jews believe that God is just and that people should try to be like God Torah – contains a system of Justice Torah – teaches that God is a God of justice. Tenakh - people should be treated fairly and not cheated. ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’. World Jewish Relief - a charity that seeks justice for the poor Jews are involved in the struggle for human rights: ‘Seek good not evil…then the Lord God Almighty will be with you’. ‘Love thy neighbour”

Theories of Punishment (why we punish people) Retribution Criminals should pay for their crime. They should suffer for what they have done Their punishment should match the crime Deterrence Punishment should put people off committing crimes If people know they will get a severe punishment they will be less likely to commit a crime Reform/Rehabilitation Criminals taught not to commit crime again Looks at reason why they committed crime and tries to resolve this Protection Protect society from criminals and their actions

Non-Religious Arguments For and Against the Death Penalty Good deterrent Protects society Retribution How can we be sure they are guilty? Statistics show it does not work as a deterrent If a murderer knows they will be killed if caught they are more likely to kill more people to avoid being caught Human life is too important Could argue life imprisonment is worse

Christian attitudes towards Capital Punishment DISAGREE AGREE -Jesus wanted to reform sinners and it is not possible to reform a person who has been killed -Jesus banned retribution – “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” - Sanctity of Life -Many Christian Priests, Ministers, Vicars and Bishops have condemned capital punishment. -“Love thy neighbour” - “Thou shall not kill” -‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. - The Bible sets out laws and the death penalty is a punishment for breaking some of those laws - The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England still officially support it. - St Thomas Aquinas believed that peace can be preserved by using capital punishment

Jewish attitudes towards Capital Punishment Most AGREE Some DISAGREE -‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. - The Torah sets out laws and the death penalty is a punishment for breaking some of those laws -Jewish theory of punishment - punishment should be for the protection of society -Talmud - capital punishment is allowed - Sanctity of Life -“Love thy neighbour” -Believe that the teachings of the Torah and the Talmud need updating - “Thou shall not kill”

Christian and Jewish Attitudes to Illegal Drugs All Christians against it: All Jewish people against it “Body is a temple” Against the law Christian Churches say people shouldn’t take illegal drugs Effects could make it difficult to worship God Lack of concentration which is needed to pray, Lack of concentration which is needed to fulfil Mitzvot (commandments) and learn Torah Duty to honour your parents The Torah says – “You shall be holy”

Christian Attitudes to Alcohol and Tobacco Most - OK in Moderation Some (Pentecostals, Salvation Army, many Methodists) – Total Abstinence Jesus turned water to wine St Paul – Christians can drink in moderation – “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine for your stomach” Jesus drank wine Alcoholic wine used during communion “Body is a temple of the holy spirit” Bible warns against drunkenness Concerned by social and health problems Many work with recovering addicts

Jewish Attitudes to Alcohol Most Jewish people – OK in Moderation Tenakh –wine “gladdens the human heart” Use of wine required in some rituals BUT only in moderation: Tenakh – condemns drunkenness – anyone under the influence may not perform religious, legal or political functions. Forbidden to pray until sober. Torah – “you shall be holy”– Jewish people must be moderate in use of alcohol