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| Question | Answer |
| The difference between right and wrong | It is important for society that people are brought up to understand the concept of what is right and what is wrong. Citizens have a duty and responsibility to be law-abiding or otherwise there would be chaos, as people would do exactly what they wanted without considering others. Many religions teach that God has given each person an inner voice that informs them of the rightness or wrongness of an action before it is carried out. Non-believers argue that a conscience is a person’s inner sense of what is morally right or wrong. Without being taught moral standards, the voice of conscience may not bother a person if they commit a crime |
| What causes crime? | Lack of education and qualifications Abusive and violent parents/broken homes Drug, gambling or alcohol addiction Periods of high unemployment Gang rivalry Those from inadequate housing, overcrowding and a deprived background Mental illness/psychological problems Violence portrayed in films/TV Advertising? |
| Types of crime | • Crime against the person (crime is directed against an individual/group of people) e.g. murder • Crimes against the state (a country) e.g. selling military documents • Crimes against property (taking/damaging somebody else’s belongings) e.g. burglary |
| What are religious offences? | A religious offence is an offence against religion. They may or may not be classified as crime. Religions have their own sets of laws and rules and breaking them would be seen by members of that faith as a religious offence or sin (breaking of a religious or moral law) e.g. for Christians and Jews, the 10th Commandment says ‘You shall not covet (desire) your neighbour’s house/wife/servant/ox or donkey or anything else that belongs to your neighbour’. This is not a criminal offence, although believers would regard it as a sin. However, this breaks the 8th Commandment (‘You shall not steal’) and also the state law. Another religious offence is blasphemy (illegal in some countries e.g. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Ireland). Blasphemy includes insulting God or sacred things and the making of images of God. |
| What are the 6 aims of punishment? | Protection – The aim of protection is to keep the public from being harmed, threatened or injured by criminals Retribution – is seen as ‘getting even’ (‘an eye for an eye’ - Exodus) with the criminal. It is getting revenge and giving the criminal what they deserve. Deterrence - the aim of this is to put people off committing crimes (if they believe they will be dealt with seriously if caught) Reformation – the aim of this is to change a criminal’s behaviour for the better e.g. through a face to face meeting with the victim Vindication – the aim of this is to show offenders that the law is right and that they must be punished if they do not respect it Reparation – the aim of this is to ask the offender to make up for the crime they have committed e.g. vandal cleaning up an area |
| Religious responses to the aims of punishment | Most do not support idea of retribution but would support the other aims Christians believe the law needs to be upheld (vindication) Believe in crime prevention and the need to remove the causes of crime e.g. unemployment, poverty etc. Most believe that the most important aim is to reform criminals and help them become law abiding citizens. Most Christians believe that offenders should repent (being truly sorry and try to change) of their wrongdoings and receive both punishment and forgiveness, so they can have a 2nd chance (once penalty is paid) ‘If your brother sins, rebuke (disapprove/criticise) him and if he repents, forgive him’ (Luke) |
| Different forms of punishment | YOUNG OFFENDERS In Britain, anyone under 18 who has broken the law is classified as a young offender. How are young offenders treated? Minor offences These are dealt with without court involvement e.g. the police can use reprimands, final warnings, ASBOs or child safety orders. The aim is to prevent further offences and give support an early age. |
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