Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment
Christianity and the Law
Christians believe that law breakers should be forgiven and given a second chance but they need to be punished as
well during which time they are helped to reform.
‘A man reaps what he sows’ (Galatians)
Christians believe they should work with people to discourage reoffending and although poverty cannot be used as
an excuse for breaking the law trying to reduce poverty and bad social conditions may prevent law breaking.
Christians believe that law breakers should be encouraged and helped to repent (say sorry) leading to forgiveness
Most Christians also believe that offenders should be helped to change their ways so that they do not reoffend once
the punishment is over. In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus gave various actions that are pleasing to God,
and these include treating prisoners well…
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of
the world. For . . . I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Some Christians believe a punishment should be as severe as the crime committed. Others believe they should be
helped in order that they do not offend again. They may hate the crime but not the person who committed it.
Christians believe that inhumane treatment of offenders is wrong.
Types of crime
There are three key types of crimes:
• Crimes against the person – offences causing direct harm to a person, for example, murder, rape, GBH and hate
crimes.
• Crimes against property – offences that damage or deprive people of their property, for example, arson, burglary,
trespassing.
• Crimes against the State – offences that potentially endanger everyone or affect the smooth running of society, for
example, terrorism, selling state secrets, perjury.
, Causes of Crime
Mental illness – The state of mind of a person may lead them into crime. They might have serious psychological
issues with no understanding of right or wrong; might feel no guilt or compassion for others; might enjoy hurting
others; might have educational learning issues and be easily led into crime; or are themselves victims of some event
which has disturbed their minds, for example, depression or an abusive upbringing.
Addiction – A person may have an addiction, for example, to alcohol, drugs, sex or money which leads them into
crime to feed their habit or their cravings. They may even be addicted to crime, for example, stealing.
Poverty – A person might commit a crime because they see no other alternative way to survive. They may have no
money, no job or cannot provide for themselves or their children.
Greed/hate - Emotions are often responsible for crime, our reaction to what goes on around us or what others have
or do to us. We always want more so inherently we are greedy. People do bad things to us so hate leads us to take
revenge and commit crimes.
Opposition to existing laws - Some crimes are committed in protest about laws that exist that are considered either
unfair or for the benefit of a select few in society. Sometimes laws have to be broken to get laws to be changed.
Religious people often feel a duty to oppose unjust laws.
Aims of Punishment
There are 4 main aims of punishment:
• Deterrence
• Reformation
• Retribution
• Protection
Society sets up rules and we have to obey them or face the consequences. However, what one person thinks is very
wrong, another person might consider less so. That is why we have a judicial system that sets tariffs for punishments
to guide judges in the sentences they hand down. A judge will also know other information before they give a
sentence. For example, if the person has offended before, information from psychologists and perhaps about their
home background. There are four main aims of punishment
Deterrence
A punishment is meant to be unpleasant and a deterrence, so that the offender is put off committing crimes in the
future. A burglar who gets sent to prison for five years will hopefully not want to experience that again and will find
some other legal means to obtain money and possessions. Also, we learn very quickly that when we do wrong we
may be punished, so if they know what the punishment is going to be, many people would be put off committing the
crime in the first place. For example, the penalty for drink driving in the UK is a minimum 12-month driving ban, a
fine and potentially a prison sentence which deters people from drink-driving
Protection
The whole point of having a legal system is to protect society. Some criminals are dangerous and society needs
protection and the criminal needs protection from society also. When a person shows no remorse for what they
have done and continues to be a threat they have to be locked up for the safety of others. We lock mass murderers
away to prevent them from killing any more people.
Retribution
This is taking revenge on the offender; simply put it means ‘getting your own back’. When people break the law
someone somewhere is almost always hurt, even if it means they are just upset or angry. Most people follow the law
so it is not fair that a few people want to just ignore the rules and do as they please.
Society uses punishment to make the offender pay for what they have done and show support for the victim. They
do this by demonstrating that the criminal has not got away with hurting them. In some cases retribution can be very
severe. In the UK, criminals can receive lengthy prison sentences; other countries use capital or corporal
punishment.
Christianity and the Law
Christians believe that law breakers should be forgiven and given a second chance but they need to be punished as
well during which time they are helped to reform.
‘A man reaps what he sows’ (Galatians)
Christians believe they should work with people to discourage reoffending and although poverty cannot be used as
an excuse for breaking the law trying to reduce poverty and bad social conditions may prevent law breaking.
Christians believe that law breakers should be encouraged and helped to repent (say sorry) leading to forgiveness
Most Christians also believe that offenders should be helped to change their ways so that they do not reoffend once
the punishment is over. In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus gave various actions that are pleasing to God,
and these include treating prisoners well…
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of
the world. For . . . I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Some Christians believe a punishment should be as severe as the crime committed. Others believe they should be
helped in order that they do not offend again. They may hate the crime but not the person who committed it.
Christians believe that inhumane treatment of offenders is wrong.
Types of crime
There are three key types of crimes:
• Crimes against the person – offences causing direct harm to a person, for example, murder, rape, GBH and hate
crimes.
• Crimes against property – offences that damage or deprive people of their property, for example, arson, burglary,
trespassing.
• Crimes against the State – offences that potentially endanger everyone or affect the smooth running of society, for
example, terrorism, selling state secrets, perjury.
, Causes of Crime
Mental illness – The state of mind of a person may lead them into crime. They might have serious psychological
issues with no understanding of right or wrong; might feel no guilt or compassion for others; might enjoy hurting
others; might have educational learning issues and be easily led into crime; or are themselves victims of some event
which has disturbed their minds, for example, depression or an abusive upbringing.
Addiction – A person may have an addiction, for example, to alcohol, drugs, sex or money which leads them into
crime to feed their habit or their cravings. They may even be addicted to crime, for example, stealing.
Poverty – A person might commit a crime because they see no other alternative way to survive. They may have no
money, no job or cannot provide for themselves or their children.
Greed/hate - Emotions are often responsible for crime, our reaction to what goes on around us or what others have
or do to us. We always want more so inherently we are greedy. People do bad things to us so hate leads us to take
revenge and commit crimes.
Opposition to existing laws - Some crimes are committed in protest about laws that exist that are considered either
unfair or for the benefit of a select few in society. Sometimes laws have to be broken to get laws to be changed.
Religious people often feel a duty to oppose unjust laws.
Aims of Punishment
There are 4 main aims of punishment:
• Deterrence
• Reformation
• Retribution
• Protection
Society sets up rules and we have to obey them or face the consequences. However, what one person thinks is very
wrong, another person might consider less so. That is why we have a judicial system that sets tariffs for punishments
to guide judges in the sentences they hand down. A judge will also know other information before they give a
sentence. For example, if the person has offended before, information from psychologists and perhaps about their
home background. There are four main aims of punishment
Deterrence
A punishment is meant to be unpleasant and a deterrence, so that the offender is put off committing crimes in the
future. A burglar who gets sent to prison for five years will hopefully not want to experience that again and will find
some other legal means to obtain money and possessions. Also, we learn very quickly that when we do wrong we
may be punished, so if they know what the punishment is going to be, many people would be put off committing the
crime in the first place. For example, the penalty for drink driving in the UK is a minimum 12-month driving ban, a
fine and potentially a prison sentence which deters people from drink-driving
Protection
The whole point of having a legal system is to protect society. Some criminals are dangerous and society needs
protection and the criminal needs protection from society also. When a person shows no remorse for what they
have done and continues to be a threat they have to be locked up for the safety of others. We lock mass murderers
away to prevent them from killing any more people.
Retribution
This is taking revenge on the offender; simply put it means ‘getting your own back’. When people break the law
someone somewhere is almost always hurt, even if it means they are just upset or angry. Most people follow the law
so it is not fair that a few people want to just ignore the rules and do as they please.
Society uses punishment to make the offender pay for what they have done and show support for the victim. They
do this by demonstrating that the criminal has not got away with hurting them. In some cases retribution can be very
severe. In the UK, criminals can receive lengthy prison sentences; other countries use capital or corporal
punishment.
