RS Notes
Crime and Punishment
● Crime - An offence that is punishable by law
● Punishment - Something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty
of breaking the law
● Evil - Opposite of good; the personification of a negative power that is seen in many
traditions as destructive or against God.
● Intention - The plan that someone has before they act
● Sharia Law - Islamic Law based on the Quran, Hadith and the Sunnah
● Criminal Law - the law of crimes and their punishment
● Civil Law - The law of evil or private rights
● Christian views:
● There is no such thing as an evil person
● Humans are not perfect and make mistakes
● Original sin means that all humans have a tendency to do things that are evil
● Muslim Views:
Evil is linked with Satan who was originally created by God
● He was cursed by God for not bowing down to Adam
● Satan is now intent on tempting humans to choose to do wrong rather than right
Reasons for crime:
● Poverty - Being without money, food or other basic needs of life
● Mental Illness - A medical conditions that affects a person’s feelings, emotions or
moods, and perhaps their ability to relate to others
● Addiction - Physical or mental dependence on a substance or activity which is very
difficult to overcome
● Greed - Wanting to possess wealth, good or items of value which are not needed
● Hate Crime - Crime, often including violence that is usually targeted at a person
because of their race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender
● Christians believe that there is rarely an acceptable reason for committing crimes,
especially as they believe that God put law making authorities in place
● Muslims believe that there is little acceptance for committing crimes especially in
countries that follow the Shariah Law. They believe this creates peace and order in
society.
Attitudes to Law Breakers:
● Christians are against those who break the laws without just cause
● They must challenge laws that they feel are morally wrong
● All offenders are presumed innocent until found guilty
● Some people believe that punishment should be as severe as the crime committed
● Christians believe lawbreakers have rights
Crime and Punishment
● Crime - An offence that is punishable by law
● Punishment - Something legally done to somebody as a result of being found guilty
of breaking the law
● Evil - Opposite of good; the personification of a negative power that is seen in many
traditions as destructive or against God.
● Intention - The plan that someone has before they act
● Sharia Law - Islamic Law based on the Quran, Hadith and the Sunnah
● Criminal Law - the law of crimes and their punishment
● Civil Law - The law of evil or private rights
● Christian views:
● There is no such thing as an evil person
● Humans are not perfect and make mistakes
● Original sin means that all humans have a tendency to do things that are evil
● Muslim Views:
Evil is linked with Satan who was originally created by God
● He was cursed by God for not bowing down to Adam
● Satan is now intent on tempting humans to choose to do wrong rather than right
Reasons for crime:
● Poverty - Being without money, food or other basic needs of life
● Mental Illness - A medical conditions that affects a person’s feelings, emotions or
moods, and perhaps their ability to relate to others
● Addiction - Physical or mental dependence on a substance or activity which is very
difficult to overcome
● Greed - Wanting to possess wealth, good or items of value which are not needed
● Hate Crime - Crime, often including violence that is usually targeted at a person
because of their race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender
● Christians believe that there is rarely an acceptable reason for committing crimes,
especially as they believe that God put law making authorities in place
● Muslims believe that there is little acceptance for committing crimes especially in
countries that follow the Shariah Law. They believe this creates peace and order in
society.
Attitudes to Law Breakers:
● Christians are against those who break the laws without just cause
● They must challenge laws that they feel are morally wrong
● All offenders are presumed innocent until found guilty
● Some people believe that punishment should be as severe as the crime committed
● Christians believe lawbreakers have rights
