Religion: Crime &

Punishment

Edexcel GCSE Religious

Studies
Unit 8.4 - Religion:

Key Words

Sin: An act against the will of God.

Crime: An act against the law.
Law: Rules made by Parliament and enforceable by
the police and the courts.
Justice: Due allocation of reward and punishment, the
maintenance of what is right.
Judgement: The act of evaluating people and their
actions.
Capital Punishment: The State sponsored death penalty.
Reform: The idea that punishments should try to
change criminals so that they will not commit crimes
again.
Deterrence: The idea that punishments will be of such
a nature that they will put people off (deter) committing
crimes.
Retribution: The idea that punishments should make
criminals pay for what they have done wrong.
Rehabilitation: Readapt to normal life and thinking in

Sin & Crime

Q 1. What is the difference between sin and crime?

A 1. Sin is an act against God, crime is an act against the law
The Bible states
And the reason is..?
that not one of us
People sin when
is free from sin.
they give in to the
Everyone sins
temptations of their
and falls short of
own evil desires.
Gods standards.
James 1 : 14
Q 2: Which
one(s)
of the following would you say
Rom
3 : 23
was a sin and why?
A rich man is asked for food by a beggar
but refuses.
A married woman sleeps with another
man - adultery.
A boy swears and shouts at his parents all
the time.
A business man pays immigrant workers less
because he knows they need the work.

A 2: All of them, because they go against the

will of God.

Does this not make sin and crime

a matter of perspective?

Breaking Gods
laws is a sin,
breaking societys
laws is a crime.
Often wrong
actions are both a
sin and a crime,
but many sins,
like adultery, are
not crimes, and
unjust laws are not

Society needs laws so

that:
People know what sort
of behaviour is expected.
People are protected
from violence and crime.
People can enjoy the
rewards of their efforts
without them being taken
from them.

Laws tell people

how to behave,
and justice makes
sure the good are
rewarded and the
evil are punished.
Society needs
laws for it to work
properly, and the
laws need to be
just

Crimes are In 1956 Rosa Parks was

arrested in the USA for
not
necessarily refusing to give up her seat
on a bus for white man. This
sins. Germans who gave jobs to
was a crime.
Jews during the Nazi period
broke German laws. This was a
crime.
So, should
Christians forget the law and just follow religion?
No! St Paul said Everyone must submit themselves to the
governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has
established. Romans
13 that
: 1 are not
Crimes
People should obey
sins usually come
the laws of the land.
about as a result of
However,
unjust laws. Unjust
St Thomas Aquinas
laws are not proper
laws.
If laws are argued;
If some laws are
If laws dont give
unjust people
unjust people
justice, people
will feel it is
may think all
may take the law

Law, Justice & Punishment

Humans live in
Justice is often represented
communities, and any
by the image of a blindfolded
community requires
woman holding a set of scales in
rules outlining
her left hand and a sword in her
right hand.
acceptable behaviour.
This represents that true justice
Laws, societys rules
does
made by Parliament,
not discriminate, is fair, and will
guide people
punish where appropriate.
as to how they should
For law and justice to work there
behave
in a civilised
must also be punishment for those
society.
who break
the law. Punishments are
given to make sure the law is
obeyed and that justice is done, and
seen to be done. Punishment
is the consequence of breaking the
law.

The form of the punishment given should always be in

proportion

Form
The type of
punishment a
person is given (e.g.
fine or prison) is
called the form of
punishment.

Aim
The purposes for which a
punishment is given (e.g.
protect society or deter others
doing the same) are known as
the aims of punishment.

Complete each section of this paragraph in your own words.

Laws are important because without laws...
...However, laws need to be fair laws otherwise
people will...
punishment is necessary because
It is important that punishment has an aim
because
You should now have fully answered the GCSE question;
Explain why society needs law and justice., to at least a B

Aims of Punishment
Deterrence: The idea
that punishments will be
of such a nature that
they will put people off
(deter) committing
crimes.

Reform: The idea that

punishments should try to
change criminals so that they
will not commit crimes again.

The idea of deterrence is

prevention. The
punishment a person is
given is severe enough
to act as a deterrent and
discourages a person from
committing the same

Many people see punishment

as an opportunity to reform
offenders. Helping the
individual realise the error of
their ways, change, and
become law abiding citizens
who will not commit crimes

 Retribution: The idea that

punishments should make
criminals pay for what
they have done wrong.

Protection: The idea that

society should be protected
from the criminal and the
offences that a criminal
commits.

Many people believe that

a person should pay for
what they have done. This
gives society and the
victims of crime a feeling
of justice. Punishments
should also match the

Many people are frightened

by crime. One of the ideas
of punishment is to protect
society from the acts of
criminals, particularly
violent or persistent offenders,
by imprisoning them so

Judgement & Justice in the UK

In the UK, laws are
enforced by the
police and the courts.

Minor crimes, e.g. shoplifting,

are dealt with by magistrates courts,
while more serious crimes, e.g.
murder, are dealt with in crown courts.

In a magistrates court a
An individual can appeal a
judge or panel of judges
judgement to the High Court,
will decide guilt or
the Court of Appeal and then the
innocence and pass
House of Lords. Appeals can
judgement on what a
even be taken beyond that to
person has done. In a
the European Court of Justice or
crown court a jury will
European Court of Human Rights.
decide guilt or
innocence and
a judge
UK law
has a system called
will decide
the means incapable of wrong doing. One application
Doli
Incapax on
which
punishment.
of this is that
a child under 10 years old is considered too young to understand
what they are doing is a crime, and so cannot be convicted of a
criminal offence (unless it can be proven

Christian Attitudes to Justice

The concept of justice is extremely important to Christianity.
God is a God of
Justice: There is no
God but me, a just God
and a Saviour. Isaiah
45:21
People should be
treated fairly and not
cheated: So in
everything, do to
others what you would
have them do to you.
Matthew
People 7:12
should be
treated equally: There
is neither Jew nor
Greek, slave nor free,
male or female, for you
are all one in Christ.

Criminal justice is
important. However, so
is social justice, so the
weak and vulnerable
are not oppressed and
the strong and powerful
Thetake
rich advantage.
should share
dont
with the poor: The man
who has two coats
should share with him
who has none, and the
man who has food
For
Xians,
social
justice
should
do the
same.
is
a responsibility.
Luke
3:11
Anyone, then, who
knows the good he
ought to do but does
not do it, sins.

Christian Attitudes to Punishment

The Bible teaches that judgement and punishment ultimately belongs to
God.
Many Xians believe the primary aim of punishment should be reform
and not retribution.
The Bible says: Do not
Jesus encouraged
judge or you too will be
people to settle
judged. For in the same
difference out of court.
way as you judge others,
If your brother sins
you will be judged.
against you, go and tell
Matthew
7: 1-2the
him
fault,
between
Jesus taught
St his
Paul
encouraged
you
andtohim
alone.
disciples to pray:
people
settle
Matthew
Forgive us our sins, as
difference18:15-17
out of court.
we forgive those who
When one of you has a
sin against us. Luke
grievance against
11:4
Jesus example was
another, does he dare
one of forgiveness and
go to law before
Christ died
reform: Then neither
resolving
it? to forgive
people
not condemn
do I condemn you, now
1 Corinthians
6:1-7
them. Father, forgive
go and sin no more.
them. Luke 23:34
John 7:53-8:11

Christian Church on Crime & Justice

Christians
recognise that the
government has a
duty to protect
society from
crime. Those
found guilty of
breaches of law
may be punished.
However, the aim
of punishment is
not primarily
retribution, still
less revenge, but
the reform and

Even the most depraved

person is capable of reform. It
is societys role to offer that
possibility of reform through
systems of confinement and
imprisonment which the state
organises.
Experience
in prison
can
United
Reform
Church
badly damage people and
rarely stops crime. Quakers
would like to see a more
positive approach taken
towards everyone involved
with crime and punishment.

Islam, Sin & Crime

Muslims believe there should be
no difference between state law Muslims believe that God
will judge all people justly
and religious law. The Islamic
on the Last Day. They also
religious law is called Shari ah
believe that it is their duty
Law. In Islam committing a crime
as vice-regents
is a sin against God. Shariah
(stewards) of creation to
Law governs the lives of
ensure that people are
Muslims around
treated fairly and the
the world and is the most
world is governed
widely used
in a just way.
religious legal system there
Quran describes
is. ItThe
is traditionally
upheldGod
by as just.
Imams
Justicethe
is the
basis for the pillar of zakah.
and the Ummah.
The Shari ah is based on justice and equality for all.
God wants people to treat each other fairly and
establish justice.
There are many Hadith (sayings/teachings) of

Islamic Attitudes to Punishment

Islamic punishments, as laid out in the Quran, can
often seem very harsh. E.g. cutting off the hand of a
thief or 100 lashes with a whip for someone caught in
adultery. However, Muslim attitudes to punishment are
based on deterrence and reform. Imprisonment is
used in Muslim countries to protect society from antisocial criminals.

The greatest deterrent to a Muslim is that

God sees everything and He will judge
each person on the Last Day.

The Quran lays down

the punishment for
certain crimes. As for a
thief, male or female, cut
off their hand: a
punishment by way of

Strict punishments are

only given as a last resort.
Islamic courts will look into
family circumstances. A
person would not have a
hand amputated if they

The Quran and Justice

The Quran teaches that judgement and punishment ultimately belongs
to God.
However, God demands all people show justice and mercy to all other
people.
Justice is for all.
Justice is an central part
Everyone should put
of Gods character. My
justice first, even before
Lord hath commanded
their family. Stand up
justice. Surah 7:29
firmly for justice, as a
Muslims should act
witness to God, even as
against injustice.
against yourselves or
However, for a victim to
your parents or your kin,
forgive a persons
and whether it be
injustice, is far better.
Allah
is merciful
to those
against
rich or poor.
Act against those who
who
seek
His
Surah
4:135
oppress people and
forgiveness. If anyone
transgress (sin) against
does evil or wrongs his
justice. They will have an
own soul, but afterwards
agonizing punishment seeks Gods forgiveness,
though, if a person is
he will find Him most
patient and forgives, this

The Quran and Social Justice

Social justice is
very important
in Islam. Muslim Aid and
Islamic Relief are two aid
agencies working to
relieve poverty
and secure justice for the
poor and oppressed
around
theShari
world.
ah law bans the
charging or paying of
interest on loans as this
makes the less wealthy
pay the wealthy and is
unjust. As a result many
Muslims feel they cannot
take out traditional
mortgages in Britain. Some
UK banks now offer Muslim

One of the Five Pillars of

Islam,
is zakah, a compulsory
payment to the poor. It is
an annual payment made
up of around 2%
of any excess
wealth a person has
(i.e. cash, savings
and value of any
jewellery etc.). It
is not seen as
charity, which is
optional, or tax,
which is for the
state. It is based
on social welfare and the

Capital Punishment
Capital Punishment: The death
penalty for a crime or offence.
The process of judicial killing
is called execution or the
death penalty. A crime which
is punishable by death is
called a capital offence.
In the UK the death penalty
was formerly abolished with
the Murder (Abolition of
the Death Penalty) Act
1965. In 1999 Britain
signed the European
Convention on Human

The death penalty is still

legal in many countries
including the USA (37 the
50 States), Iran, Libya,
Rwanda and North Korea plus
65 other countries
worldwide. Modern
methods of capital
punishment include lethal
injection, electric chair,
firing squad, gas chamber
and beheading (only

Secular Arguments on Capital Punishment

For
The death penalty acts
as a deterrent.
Society can be free of
its most dangerous
people.
The value of human life
is made clear by
executing those who kill.
Execution is the
ultimate retribution and
compensation for killing
others.
Execution helps brings
satisfaction and closure to
victims families.

Against
Capital crimes do not
seem to drop in countries
with the death penalty.
There have been many
occasions of innocent
people wrongfully
executed.
People facing the death
penalty will be more likely
to kill to avoid capture.
Terrorists who are
executed could end up as
martyrs encouraging
others.
Human life is important
and should not be taken in

Christianity on Capital Punishment

For

Against

The Old Testament set capital

punishment as a penalty for
some crimes. Whoever sheds
the blood of man, by man shall
his blood be shed. Genesis 9:6
Neither the Roman Catholic
Church
or The Anglican Church (CofE) have
retracted their support for state
instigated capital punishment.
The Laws of the Realm may
punish men with death for
heinous and grievous offences.
(Article 37 of The 39 Articles
of the Church of England).
Important Christian leaders
such as St Thomas Aquinas
have supported capital
punishment to preserve the
peace of society.

Jesus teaches forgiveness not

retribution.
If any of you is without sin, let him
cast the
St Paul teaches
against retribution.
first stone. Matthew 8:7
Do not repay evil for evil do not
take revenge. For it is written
vengeance is mine says the Lord.
Romans 12:17-19
Most Christian denominations are
against capital punishment. We do
not have the right, even in the case
of dreadful crimes, to take a life as
punishment. The United Reform
Christian believe
life in the Sanctity
Church.
of Life and only God has the right to
take life. Jesus came to save (reform)
people, you cannot reform an
executed man. Jesus overturned an
eye for

Islam on Capital Punishment

Some Muslims are
Shari ah, allows for capital punishment for three offences:
against capital
punishment, they
Murder - the unlawful taking of
say that Shariah
anothers life.
Law in the Quran
Adultery - a married person sleeping
only suggests capital
with someone
punishment and
they are not married to.
does not
makepoint
it
Apostasy - where a Muslim denies IslamThese Muslims
would
compulsory.
and
works
to scriptures suggesting
Muslim
arguments for
forgiveness and mercy rather than
against
(this amounts to treason
capital it
punishment
death. Let harm be repaid by an
within
Islam).
include.
equal harm, though anyone who
It is a punishment laid
forgives and puts things right will
down in Shariah Law within
have his reward from God Himself
the Quran.
- He does not like those who do
An alternative
to the death
wrong.
Surah 42:40
The Prophet Mohammad
penalty is that a victims family
agreed with capital
can accept compensation called
punishment.
blood money, from the murderer
Mohammad sentenced
rather than requiring a death

Laws on Tobacco &

Alcohol

It is illegal to give alcohol to a

child under 5 except in a
medical emergency and under
supervision.
Children under 16 can enter a
pub so long as they are
supervised by an adult.
Young people aged 16 & 17
may drink beer, cider or wine so
long as it bought by an adult to
be consumed with a meal. They
are not allowed spirits.
It is against the law for anyone
under 18 to buy alcohol in a
pub, supermarket, off-licence or
other premises.
It is illegal to buy alcohol for
someone who is under 18 to be
consumed in a
pub without a
meal
or in a
public
place.

It is illegal to sell tobacco

products (cigarettes, tobacco
etc) to anyone under 18.
It is against the law to smoke
in any indoor public places, work
spaces, any enclosed public
spaces (e.g. A football ground)
and any railway/tram station
including the platform area.
You can be prosecuted for
smoking whilst driving a vehicle
as this is classed as failing to
have proper control or driving
without due care and attention.
Any form of advertising of
tobacco products or sponsorship
of events is banned.
Packaging must
carry large overt
health warnings
& graphic images
of smoking

Laws on Classified Drugs

In the UK drugs which are illegal to possess or deal without
prescription are classified into three categories (A, B and C). Each
category carries different penalties for possession and/or dealing.
Class

Example

Penalty for
Possession

Penalty for
Dealing

Ecstasy, LSD, Heroin,

Cocaine, Methadone
(Morphine),
Amphetamines prepared
for injection, Magic
Mushrooms.

Up to 7 years in
prison, an
unlimited fine or
both.

Up to life in prison

Cannabis, Amphetamines
not prepared for injection,
Ritalin,
Speed.

Up to 5 years in
prison, an
unlimited fine or
both.

Up to 14 years in
prison

Up to 2 years in
Tranquilisers, some
prison,
an the Misuse
Up to 14
yearsAct
in
Laws
controlled
substances are
under
of Drugs
C governing
Painkillers,
Anabolic
finePolice
or
prison
1971 whichSteroids,
is updated
amendedunlimited
regularly.
can stop
and
GHB,and
Ketamine
both.

search a person if they have reason to believe they are in possession

of drugs. It is illegal to unlawfully possess controlled substances,
possess it with the intent to supply it to others, supply or offer to

Health: Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

Tobacco: Smoking can various forms of cause cancer, it can
lead to coronary heart disease, strokes, chronic bronchitis
and emphysema. It can also cause digestive problems,
dependency (addiction) and impotence. It affects both the
smoker and others who inhale their smoke and it can
cause severe abnormalities and illnesses in unborn
children.
Alcohol: Excessive drinking of alcohol can cause serious
liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver), stomach disorders,
mental health problems such as depression, psychosis and
hallucinations, infertility or impotence, anaemia (blood
disease), heart disease, some cancers, obesity and
dependency (addiction). Alcohol is also linked with many
accidents.
Drugs: Taking drugs can lead to many physical and mental
health issues including toxicity, dependency (addiction),
liver disease, cardiovascular illnesses, bacterial and viral
infections such as HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis B. It is
associated with paranoia, mood swings and aggression.
Taken in wrong amounts or mixed can lead to an overdose
and even death.

Any town or city centre on a weekend evening will

give evidence of the social problems caused by
excessive consumption of alcohol. 1/3 of all
ambulance call-outs are alcohol related and
between midnight and 5am 70% of all hospital
emergencies are due to alcohol.
In 2009 government figures show the number of
people claiming benefit due to alcoholism rose by
79%. Alcohol leads to violent assaults, rapes,
drink driving and deaths.
Tobacco causes pain and suffering to both those
who are ill and their families. Illnesses directly
Alcoholby
and
drug misuse
is responsible
90%
caused
smoking
takes up
5.5% of thefor
NHS
thefts, budget.
annual
burglaries
violent
crimes.
The and
issues
caused
by
drugs, alcohol and
smoking bring fear to
innocent people and
affects society, families
and places of work; they

Substanc
e

Deaths
20002004

Amphetamin
e (speed
whizz)

384

Cocaine

575

Solvents
(glue/aerosol
s)

246

Ecstasy

227

Opiates
(heroin etc)

4,976

Alcohol*

25,000200,000

Tobacco*

500,000

ths caused directly or indirectly (e.g. accidents or secondary illnesses)

Social Issues

Xianity: Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

Most Christians are against illegal drugs as it is against the law.
There are many arguments used by Christians for and against the use
There are
of alcohol and tobacco.
Jesus first miracle
many
St Paul said Your
was turning water
examples in
body is the temple of
into wine at a
the Bible
the Holy Spirit. and
wedding (2:1-11)
where
as such it should not
alcohol has
be abused.
St Paul said
caused
(1 Corinthians 6:19Christians can drink
people to
20)
in moderation
sin. Noah
(1Timothy 5:23)
Churches such as the
brought
Salvation Army,
Jesus gave his
shame on
Methodists and
disciples wine at
his family
Pentecostals, point to
the last supper
(Genesis 9);
the social issues
(Mark 14:23)
Lot slept
caused.
The Catholic church
with both his
says drinking in
daughters
Many churches will use nonmoderation is
(Genesis 19)
alcoholic wine so as not to
acceptable
tempt anyone who may be a
(Catechism 2290)
recovering alcoholic.

Islam: Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

Islam forbids the use of alcohol and drugs because they are banned
in the Quran and in the Hadith of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
Tobacco is disapproved of but not banned as it is not explicitly
O ye who
in sacred books.
The Arabic word formentioned
alcohol
believe,
Shari'ah law
is khamr and means to
intoxicants,
bans alcohol
shroud the mind. If alcohol
gambling, idol
as it is
does that a Muslim would
worship and
haraam
feel it is wrong as the mind
divination, are an
(forbidden) in
should be used to consider
abomination and
the Quran.
God.
Satans
Because of these
handiwork. From
things alcohol and
The Hadith (sayings and
these you must
drugs (intoxicants)
deeds of the Prophet)
abstain.
are haraam
states Allah has
(Surah 5:93-94)
(completely
cursed wine and
Tobacco is
forbidden).
whoever drinks it, buys
considered makruh
In alcohol is great sin,
it, pours it, sells it,
(not forbidden but
and some profit for
makes it for
extremely disliked)
men; but the sin is
themselves or others,
as the Quran or
greater than the
transports it, or
Hadith do not
profit. (Surah 2.19)
benefits from its sale.
directly mentioned

Revision Checklist
The difference between sin and crime.
The need for laws and justice in society.
The forms and aims (theories) of punishment.
The importance of justice in Christianity.
Christian attitudes to punishment.
The importance of justice in Islam.
Islamic attitudes to punishment.
Capital punishment and secular arguments surrounding it.
Christian arguments surrounding Capital punishment.
Islamic arguments surrounding Capital punishment.
UK laws on tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Health and social issues caused by tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Christian attitudes to tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Islamic attitudes to tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

Notes, Quotes & Other Key Terms

 Phillip Allen