To use Biblical quotes, a
sorting exercise and the
skill of interpretation to
understand Christian
attitudes to capital
punishment.
Grade C
All will be able to outline
Christian arguments FOR and
AGAINST capital
punishment.
Grade B
Most will be able to explain
the meaning of Christian
quotes relating to Capital
Punishment.
Grade A/A*
Some will be able to evaluate
Christian arguments on
Capital Punishment and
express an opinion on these.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c6Cb8EHq
hU
This person is Reverend Paul Hill.
He was executed in 2003 for the
murder of Dr John Britton and
his assistant James Barrett (he
also seriously injured Dr
Britton's wife).
He killed them for carrying out
abortions at a clinic in Florida.
Hill knew that he would receive
the death penalty for their
murder but felt no fear. He
showed no remorse for his action
and expected to receive a
heavenly reward.
This picture was
taken moments
before he was
executed for
murder.
Does
Do you
thinkanything
he should have
been
executedyou?
for his
surprise
crime?
The death penalty was not a
deterrent
for
him,
does
What
do
you
think
this make the death
penalty
meaningless?
this tells
you?
CX
There are two main attitudes
to capital punishment among
Christians.
SOME Christians think
capital punishment should be
used in SERIOUS cases where
the guilt of the person is
beyond doubt.
OTHER Christians think that
capital punishment is wrong as
there are no situations when
taking a life is acceptable.
Using your common sense what arguments do you think a
Christian would use here?
If you are struggling use the picture clues to help you…
Add anything you are missing in
GREEN PEN…
Using your common sense what arguments do you think a
Christian would use here?
If you are struggling use the picture clues to help you…
Add anything you are missing in
GREEN PEN…
Grade C
All will be able
to outline
Christian
arguments FOR
and AGAINST
capital
punishment.
Look at the Christian quotes and teachings carefully. Organise
them into arguments FOR and AGAINST Capital Punishment.
 “...an eye for an eye, a tooth
for a tooth” (exodus 21:24)
“Whoever sheds the blood
of man, by man shall his blood
be shed” (Genesis 9:6)
“Everyone must submit
himself to the governing
authorities, for there is no
authority except that which
God has established” (Romans
13:1)
 “ Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13)
“ You have heard it said . ‘Eye for eye,
tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not
resist an evil person. If someone
strikes you on the right cheek, turn to
him the other also”. (Matthew 5:38)
‘ The sanctity of life’
 “Love your neighbour as yourself”
(Matthew 22:39)
 “Let ye without sin cast the first
stone.” (John 8:7))
 ‘Do not judge, or you too will be
judged’. (Matthew 7:1)
Choose FOUR
quotes and
EXPLAIN
what the
meaning of
each in
relation to
Capital
Punishment.
This Old
Testament
quote teaches
that the
punishment
should be
fitting of the
crime so in
cases of
murder the
death penalty
is a fitting
punishment.
The Old Testament
teaches capital
punishment should be
used for those that
take a life.
In the New Testament, St Paul
teaches that Christians should
accept and obey the laws and
punishments of the government of
the country they are living in,
which would mean accepting the
death penalty.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has
established” (Romans 13:1)
Jesus
taught that
revenge is
wrong –
Capital
Punishment
promotes
the idea of
revenge.
Only God has the
right to give life
and take life away –
Capital Punishment
is playing God.
Capital Punishment is
not compatible with
the overall message
of Christianity which
is one of LOVE and
FORGIVENESS.
Only God has
the right to
judge and
condemn
those that
sin.
Jesus came
to save and
reform people
– those
executed
cannot be
reformed.
I never taught
that the death
penalty was
wrong!
Most Christian
Churches have
spoken out
against capital
punishment.
Exam
practice
time…
Complete
page 94
Grade B
Most will be
able to explain
the meaning of
Christian
quotes relating
to Capital
Punishment.
Supportive
The crucifixion
because…
of
Jesusaccepted
was a Roman
Jesus
his
method
of capital
punishment.
punishment
His
death wasusually
part
used
the
most
of for
God’s
plan.
dangerous
Jesus did
not oppose
criminals.
capital punishment.
So Jesus was a
Against
because…
capitalitoffender…
Jesus died painfully.
Jesus
was
innocent.
Should
this
make
Jesus
could
have
them
more
gone on to of
teach
supportive
the
deathmore.
penalty or
less?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDM2e9a_E0E
Would most
Christians
view him as
a martyr or
murderer?
Would any
Christians
support his
execution?
Grade A/A*
Some will be able
to evaluate
Christian
arguments on
Capital
Punishment and
express an
opinion on these.
Draw a pyramid in the back of
your books and spit it into 3...
Think of a question you
would like answering.
What have you been
reminded of today?
What have you learnt
today?