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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT - Coggle Diagram
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Aims of punishment
The 3 main aims of punishment are: retribution, deterrence and reformation
Retribution is taking revenge on a criminal for what they have done. Pros:
- the Old Testament teaches to take retribution
- being punished for doing wrong is fair
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Reformation is trying to change criminals so they don't commit crimes in the future, often through rehabilitation. Pros:
- the Bible teaches that people deserve a second chance
- can reduce crimes in society
Protection: keeping the public away from criminals and the criminals away from the angry public, to keep everyone safe
Reparation: making up for the wrong that has been done (similar to retribution), so the victim can be benefitted
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The New Testament teaches love and forgiveness, not revenge. Also, retribution does not solve crimes or convince people to reform
Some people feel that criminals do not get a second chance. Some people believe that many criminals will not reform so it is a wasted effort
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Treatment of criminals
Community service: criminals can make reparations by helping in the community
often preferable to prison
some people think it is not harsh enough
given when it is thought the offender can reform
Prison: acts as retribution, can deter people, protects and upholds the law
makes no reparation for the crime
some feel it is not enough of a deterrant
some feel it doesn't do enough to reform
prison is expensive to run
Corporal punishment: physical punishment, focuses on retribution and deterrance
no longer used in the UK but used elsewhere
some feel it goes against human rights and is humane
other treatments: fines, probation, electronic tagging, parole, early release etc
Christian views FOR/AGAINST CORPORAL PUNISHMENT:
- the Old Testament allows corporal punishment
- also works as a deterrant
- however, it is not loving and does not focus on reforming people
The Death Penalty
The death penality is legal in 55 countries, and used to be used in the UK. It is highly controversial
Pros: protects innocent people, punishes guilty people, acts as a deterrance, saves money on prisons
Cons: does not always deter criminals, risk of executing innocent people, people stay on death row for many years costing lots of money, some people believe it is inhumane
Christian views for the death penalty:
- The Old Testament allows the death penalty and is sometimes compulsary
- acts as a deterrant, protects innocent population
Christian views against the death penalty:
- Jesus taught forgiveness, not retribution
- Jesus stopped a woman from being put to death for adultery in John B
- There is no chance for reformation and it is inhumane
Reasons for crime
Mental illness/addiction, eg:
- stealing to pay for drug addictions
- some people wilth mental illnesses may struggle to get a job so will steal
- buying some drugs are illegal
- people on drugs may act irrationally due to the side effects
Poverty/upbringing, eg:
- poor people may need to break the law to live
- people may not be brought up to respect the law
- being brought up around crime means people may not understand it is wrong
Greed/hate, eg:
- stealing to exploit people to make a profit
- committing a crime against a person they hate in revenge
Opposition to an unjust law, eg:
- some people break the law just by living, such as being homosexual where it is banned
- some people break laws to protect others such as committing terrorist acts to oppose racist laws
Views about lawbreakers
Poverty and upbringing:
- some people believe that it is not always someone's fault that they have turned to crime, if they needed to break the law due to poverty or were led to due to upbringing
- people may want to help to rehabilitate such criminals
- some people feel that it is one's own fault if they are poor and don't have any sympathy
- poor people are still capable of choosing from right and wrong
Mental illness and addiction:
- some people may be sympathetic to those with mental illnesses and addictions and want to help them, not punish them
- some people may think these people are still at fault if they have refused help or use illegal substances
Oppositions to an unjust law:
- some Christians believe they have a duty to God to obey the government so criminals should not break the law for any reason
- some Christians support people breaking the law to oppose injustice because it is more important to do what is right and obey God than follow the law (eg being a Christian where it is illegal)
- Humanists may oppose people breaking the law because it could make society unstable
Greed and hate:
- most people agree it is wrong to commit crimes due to greed and hate
- nonreligious people will mostly see it as disrespectful
- religious people will see it as being disobedient to God
Forgiveness
Forgiveness involves letting go of bad feelings towards someone who has caused them pain or harm. Some believe in forgiveness, some don't
Christian views for forgiveness:
- Jesus taught to forgive, and if Christians did not forgive then God would not forgive them
- Jesus died for the forgiveness of humanities sins
Christian views against forgiveness:
- Jesus taught that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the one unforgiveable sin
- Some Christians believe that ceasing to be Christian is an unforgiveable sin