Unit 1 Rights and Responsibilities Unit 2 Environmental and medical issues Unit 3 Peace and Conflict Unit 4 Crime and Punishment

Unit 4 Crime and Punishment

The Aims of Punishment What is the point of Punishment? Make a list of punishments. What are they trying to achieve.

The Aims of Punishment What is the point of Punishment? Make a list of punishments. What are they trying to achieve.

The Aims of Punishment Be able to list the aims of punishment. Be able to explain each aim. Be able to explain how some Christians might respond to punishment.

Protection

Retribution

Deterrence

Reform

Millhouse stole sweets from a shop it is the first time he has done it.  

Jimbo and Kearnie Followed Bart home from school, beat him and took his money ($30). This is their 30th time In court for similar offences  

Snake shot a woman while he was carrying out a robbery. He has a long history of violence and he has been in jail many times, He was beaten Badly as a child by his dad..  

Sideshow Bob is an evil psychopath who kills people for his own entertainment. He has been in jail many times and always asks to be executed.  

By the end of this lesson you’ll know… The difference between a sin and a crime. Some examples What is Law What is justice Why do we need law and justice

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Saying ‘Jesus’ when you slam your foot in the door.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Driving at 140 miles an hour in a 40 zone.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Robbing a bank with a big gun.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Slapping your children when they are bad.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Having an affair when you are married.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Not giving money to the poor. Ever.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Cursing your mum or dad.

Sin or Crime? A –Sin B – Crime C - Both Running around Meadowhall naked.

When thinking about religions and punishment it is important to understand the difference between a crime and a sin. A crime is disobeying the law of society, a sin is disobeying the law of God. Sometimes these overlap, and sometimes these contradict each other. Religious people believe that God’s law is more important than man’s law. Christian views on Punishment

Christians tend to follow Jesus’ advice to love your neighbour. They believe society should be protected from criminals they also will try to reform a criminal because they need to be loved too. Some Christians use parts of the Old Testament to justify extreme punishments.   Christian views on Punishment

In the case of capital punishment the church itself has sentenced people to death in the past. Christians now try to return to the central teaching of Jesus which are mainly about love for your neighbour and forgiveness for your enemies.     Christian views on Punishment

The Old Testament.   In the first part of the bible, the Old Testament, God is seen as being in favour of Capital punishment. For example in Exodus 21, God demands the death penalty for deliberate murder, kidnapping and cursing one’s mother or father. Yet earlier on in Exodus 20 God also says “Thou shalt not kill!”   The attitude of the Old Testament is summed up in Exodus 21:24 “...an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for a hand...” Retribution. The punishment should fit the crime, therefore capital punishment is justified under certain conditions.       Christian views on Punishment

The New Testament and Jesus.   Many Christians believe that Jesus changed the laws of the Old Testament, replacing punishment with forgiveness, compassion and mercy. Jesus himself forgave wrong-doers including the thief who was crucified on the cross next to him. Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say to you, if someone hits you on one cheek turn him the other.”           Christian views on Punishment “Blessed are the merciful.”  “If you forgive men their sins, then God will forgive you.”  “Do not judge others or you yourself will be judged.”

A sin is against God like adultery and a crime is against society like driving too fast. Gods law may say don’t commit adultery but it’s not against the country’s law. Jesus said ‘love your neighbour’ and it’s more loving to reform a person. Capital punishment causes retribution because it is a life for a life. It protects society because the criminal can never harm anyone again. It may deter other criminals because they won’t want the same thing to happen to them. Life in prison may reform a criminal and also protect society. It can also deter although some will say it is not fair retribution. Punishment is very harsh in the Old Testament there are examples of the death penalty for things like swearing at your mum and dad. Jesus replaced the Old Testament laws with his rules like ‘love your neighbour’. Jesus said ‘he who is without sin cast the first stone’ so he can be said to be against capital punishment. Christian views on Punishment

Your work…

Capital Punishment Objective Be able to explain what capital Punishment is. Be able to explain arguments for and against capital Punishment. Be able to give your own, balanced opinion.

The Derek Bentley Case   Derek Bentley was executed in 1953 for the murder of a policeman.   They were on a roof after going to do a robbery. The police had been called and confronted them on the roof.   The shooting was actually done by Christopher Craig who was 16 at the time and so could not receive the death penalty.   According to police Bentley shouted ‘Let him have it Chris!’ The argument is whether he meant, ‘give him the gun.’ or ‘Shoot him.’  

Bentley had the mental age of an 8 year old even though he was 19.   He was under arrest at the time of the murder.   At the time there were thousands of letters asking for Bentley not to be hung. The case made a big difference to the campaign to abolish the death penalty.   The death penalty was abolished in 1969.   Bentley was “pardoned” in 1998.  

The contract killing A man agrees to carry out a killing for a contract worth £5000.

The Argument An argument between two men develops into a fight in which one man punches the other. The other man pulls out a knife and stabs his attacker.

The Mercy Killing a man who has nursed him terminally ill wife for years finally gives in to her requests to, ‘end her suffering’. He smothers her with a pillow.

For or Against? CP can act as a deterrent so people will not commit a murder because they are scared of what will happen.

For or Against? CP cannot be undone so innocent people cannot be released if the courts made a mistake.

For or Against? Countries with CP have a higher murder rate than those without.

For or Against? Terrorists and murderers cannot commit their crimes if they are dead. We are protected from them.

For or Against? Many murderers do not think about the crime before they do it and even if they do they don’t think they will get caught.

For or Against? Human life is the most valuable thing there is and the only way to show it is valuable is to take the life of anyone who kills.

For or Against? A murderer who knows he will be executed is likely to go on killing as there is no further punishment he can get.

For or Against? Terrorists who are executed are called martyrs by their followers and encourage more terrorists as a result.

For or Against? Human life is the most important thing there is so no-one has the right to take it. Killing killers just shows that life is not sacred.

For or Against? Retribution is an important part of punishment and the only way to make someone pay for murder is to murder them.

For or Against? Life in prison is actually a worse punishment for a killer.

Task What is Capital Punishment? Explain 4 arguments in favour of capital punishment. Draw a picture to represent each one. Explain 7 arguments against Capital Punishment. Explain each one.

Capital Punishment

Learning Outcomes You will… Be able to explain arguments for and against Capital Punishment in detail. Be able to explain 4 Christian arguments for and against capital punishment. Recall the 4 aims of punishment.

Not all Some … because 4 things Others… because 4 things What do Christians believe about capital punishment? (8 marks)

What do Christians believe about capital punishment? (8 marks) Not all Some … because 4 things Others… because 4 things

If any of you is without sin let him cast the first stone.

Take the plank of wood out of your own eye before you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye.

Learning Outcomes You will… Be able to explain Muslim arguments for capital punishment Be able to complete a part d question about punishment.

As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.

The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. (Surah 42:40)

Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). (Surah 17:33)  

The shedding of the blood of a Muslim is not lawful except for one of three reasons; a life for a life, a married person who commits adultery and one who turns aside from his religion and abandons the community. (Hadith) 1 2 3

Law and Justice. What is Law? What is Justice?

Law and Justice. Which are Muslim? Which are Christian?

Law and Justice. ?

Learning Objective Understand the whole of the Crime and Punishment unit Take steps to organise for revision of this unit

Unit 4 Crime and Punishment Keyword activity Click here

What does the exam look like?

Crime and Punishment