Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
SECTION 4: Crime and Punishment
There are four main topics to know for this unit
The last
section!




The Need for Law and Justice
Theories of Punishment
Capital Punishment
Alcohol and Drugs
A study
guide to
help every
pupil to
potentially
achieve an
A*!
GCSE Section 3 EXAMINATION SPECIFICATION
 Tick each section after thoroughly revising it and knowing it!
 If you are having trouble with a particular section put a star instead to
remind you to look at it again before the examination!!!
HINT
Just
keep
writing
!!!!!!
 Keywords – addiction, capital punishment, crime, deterrence,
judgement, justice, law, reform, rehabilitation, responsibility,
retribution and sin
 Explain the need for law and justice
 Outline the theories of punishment and the arguments for and
against them
 Explain why justice is important to Christians and Muslims
 Describe the nature of capital punishment and non-religious
arguments about it
 Outline drug and alcohol laws and social and health problems
arising from drugs and alcohol
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Keywords
Addiction:
A recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its
bad effects
Capital Punishment:
The death penalty for a crime or offence
Crime:
An act against the law
Deterrence:
The idea that punishments should put people off committing
crimes
Judgement:
The act of judging people and their actions
Justice:
The allocation of reward and punishment. Maintaining what is
right.
Law:
Rules made by Parliament and enforceable by the courts
Reform:
Punishments should try to change criminals so they do not try to
commit crimes again
Rehabilitation:
To restore to normal life
Responsibility:
Being responsible for one’s actions
Retribution:
Making criminals pay for what they have done wrong
Sin:
An act against the will of God
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
These notes have been written in bullet points to help you revise. However, you must answer in
full sentences and paragraphs in you examination.
Always develop each example, feature or opinion you describe or explain to maximise points to
achieve an A*!
Why do we need law and justice?
Laws and justice are important because:
* We need to protect the weak so they don’t get bullied
* Everyone is entitled to live in peace
* We need to be kept safe from criminals
* People need to know how to behave with each other
* We need to be protected against violence
Sins can be crimes
(e.g. murder) but
other sins aren’t
against the law
(e.g. adultery)
How are laws made?
Laws are made by Parliament through a very complex procedure...
1. The First Reading in the House of Commons – the proposed law (the
‘Bill’) is debated
2. The Second Reading – the Bill is debated again
3. Committee – checks the Bill again
4. The Third Reading – another debate
5. Houses of Lords – they debate it and vote on it
6. Royal Assent – the Bill is given to the Queen
7. The Bill becomes a Law!!!
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Retribution
Deterrence
* Victims of crime feel a sense of justice
and revenge
* It puts the person off doing that action
again
* People feel as though the offender ‘got
what they deserved’ and should suffer
for what they have done
* It can put others off doing something if
they see someone getting punished
- Victims often feel as though the
criminal has not been punished enough
- With serious crimes such as murder
retribution can never be achieved. The
family will still be grieving their loss, no
matter how harsh the punishment
- It doesn’t work in the UK. 50% of all
prisoners commit crime after they are
released
- Countries that have severe
punishments should have low levels of
crime which is not the case
Theories of Punishment
Reform
Protection
* Some would argue that all people
deserve a second chance – everybody
can make mistakes
* Keeping criminals locked up in prisons
means they can do no harm and ordinary
members of society are protected
* Reform helps criminals see what they
have done wrong and ensure they do not
do it again
- It only works whilst they are locked up
and most criminals are released back
into society at some point
* Criminals are provided with skills and
training to help them become law
abiding citizens
- Maybe reform goes against the idea of
punishing people? Teaching criminals is
not punishing them
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Christians and Justice
Christians believe they should behave justly, which means treating other people in a fair and
just way. They believe this because …
* God is just
* Jesus taught that everyone should be treated equally – e.g. the rich should help the
poor
* The Golden Rule
* The Parable of the Sheep and Goats – every time you help someone in need, it is as
though you are helping God
* On Judgement Day God will judge their behavior on Earth justly. If they have
behaved justly, they will be rewarded.
Christian Aid works in areas of poverty helping
those in need and campaigning against
injustice. It seeks to change the policies of
governments in rich countries by campaigning
for an end to unjust debts that they have put
on the poorer nations.
Muslims and Justice
Justice is important for Muslims because:
1. The Qur’an teaches that God wants people to act in justice and fairness to each
other. It says: “Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God”
2. Under Islamic Law everybody is equal
3. Justice is the basis of Zakah (one of the 5 pillars of Islam – Muslims give 2.5% of their
income to charity)
4. Prophet Muhammad acted with justice – Muslims follow his Sunnah
5. On the Day of Judgement Muslims will be judged by Allah on how they have acted on
Earth
Muslims believe
you should
follow the Law of
God – Shari’ah
Law
Muslims also
believe you
should obey the
laws of the
country they are
in
Shari’ah courts
exist in the UK
and settle minor
disputes
between
Muslims
Shari’ah Law also
includes rules to
help society
operate justly – e.g.
not making money
from money
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Non-Religious Arguments about
Capital Punishment
FOR
AGAINST

It acts as a deterrent – people don’t commit the
crime because they know what the punishment
will be


Execution acts as retribution and can help the
victim’s family


Provides protection for society, ridding itself of
the most dangerous people

Value of human life is made clear by executing
those who kill others



It can make the criminal confess to their crime –
plea bargaining can reduce the sentence from
execution to life imprisonment


The number of murders does not drop in
countries which have the death penalty –
possibility of execution isn’t always a deterrent
for someone considering major crimes
Many people are later discovered to be
innocent
The death penalty is nothing more than
‘murder’ – how can the state forbid murder
when it kills its own citizens?
No matter what a person has done, human life
is important
Death penalty in USA costs more than life
imprisonment
Terrorists who are executed can end up as
heroes, which further encourages terrorism
Christian Attitudes to Capital Punishment
Old Testament says
‘whoever sheds the
blood of man, by
man shall his blood
be shed’
Only God has the
power to give and
take life. Life is
sacred
In the Middle Ages the
death penalty was used
by the Church against
heretics – people who
were challenging the
Church
FOR
AGAINST
St Paul teaches
that you should
accept and obey
the laws of the
country you are
living in
Jesus never
taught the death
penalty was
wrong
Jesus came to save
and reform people –
you can’t do this if
the person has been
executed!
Jesus taught revenge is
wrong – he taught to
‘turn the other cheek’
and to ‘love your
enemies’
Jesus taught the
importance of
forgiveness –
‘forgive seven times
seventy seven times’
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Muslims & Capital Punishment
FOR
AGAINST

Qur’an says death penalty can be used for
certain crimes – “Take not life except for just
cause”

Shari’ah Law says the death penalty can be
given for certain crimes – e.g. homosexuality
(4,000 executions in Iran)


Muhammad made statements showing he
agreed with the death penalty in cases of … “life
for a life, a married person committing adultery
and one who turns aside from his religion &
abandons the community”
When Muhammad ruled Medina he used the
death penalty for committing murder

Qur’an says death penalty is an option to be
considered – it does not have to be used (the
victim/victim’s family must agree to the
sentence)

Qur’an has very strict conditions which are
rarely met (e.g. fair trial and last resort) and so
the punishment should not be given

In some countries Shari’ah Law is not applied
properly – e.g. the trial not being fair – which
goes against the teachings of the Qur’an

Scholars of Shari’ah Law do not agree on when
or how the death penalty should be applied
Problems Caused by Drugs & Alcohol
50% of homeless people
are alcoholics
UNEMPLOYMENT
Young white, unskilled males
are likely to drink the most
heavily of all people
VIOLENCE
FAMILY &
RELATIONSHIP
PROBLEMS
PROSTITUTION
DEBT
40% of A&E admissions are
alcohol related
SMOKING
* ¼ of 15 year olds are
regular smokers
* Biggest increase amongst
teenage girls
* Cancer, lung disease, poor
dental hygiene
CRIMETO
FUNDADDICTION
ILLNESSES &
DISEASE
Over a million children
in the UK are affected
by parental alcoholic
problems
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Christians and Drugs & Alcohol
All Christians believe taking illegal drugs is wrong because:1) St Paul said you must obey the laws of the country you are living in
2) God created our bodies and we should not damage them – life is sacred & made in
the image of God
3) Illegal drugs can make people act in ways that Christians
should not
4) Many illegal drug users turn to crime to get money to buy
drugs & feed the addiction – this will have a negative effect
on society
5) Drug use can break down marriages & family relationships
6) Illegal drugs have been made illegal because they are the most damaging to our
bodies and Christians should not harm their bodies
Alcohol
IN MODERATION IS ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE …
AGAINST(e.g. The Salvation Army) …

Jesus drunk wine and turned water into wine
during a miracle at a wedding

Drinking can reduce the ability to act in a
Christian way

During the Last Supper, Jesus gave wine to his
disciples

In Biblical times wine was drunk because there
was little else to drink, but now we have lots of
other choices

St Paul told Timothy to drink wine to help with
digestion

Many Churches use wine during Holy
Communion (like the Roman Catholic Church)
so do not forbid the drinking of it
In Biblical times people only drank wine or ale,
but now the alcohol is a lot stronger and so
more dangerous

American Baptists believe alcohol is an evil and
should be banned from society completely.
They want alcohol to be made illegal.


Must not get drink, however, because getting
“drunk on wine leads to bad behavior”
(Esphesians, Bible)
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Muslims and Drugs & Alcohol
Muhammad said alcohol
was the mother of all
sins. He told a story of
how a pious man who
drank alcohol committed
adultery and killed a
newly born child.
All Muslims should obey
the laws of the land
they are living in. If
drugs have been made
illegal, they should not
be taken.
Allah created
everyone and
so we must
look after our
bodies until
Judgement
Day
Qur’an says
intoxicants
are haram
(forbidden)
Alcohol and illegal drugs are wrong because
……
Alcohol and drugs can
interfere with Islamic
duties (i.e. following the
5 pillars of Islam)
Muslims believe their
bodies will be needed for
resurrection. This
includes all their internal
organs, so they need to
be looked after.
Should Muslims sell alcohol to nonMuslims?
* Many Muslims will not sell alcohol as part
of their business or work for a company that
does sell alcohol
* Others believe it is okay as non-Muslims
will be buying the alcohol
Muslims and Smoking
YES – It is a personal choice &
not forbidden in the Qur’an
NO – Smoking can damage the
body
* Some argue it is an overenthusiastic
application of Islamic principles
* In 2007 it was reported that some
Sainsbury’s were excusing Muslim checkout
staff from handling alcohol bought by
customers, especially during Ramadan
* Sainsbury’s said they were keen to
accommodate all religious beliefs
* Some people said it made Muslims look
like difficult employees
Section 4: Crime and Punishment Revision Guide
Past Exam Questions
10. (a) What meant by responsibility?
(2)
(b) Do you think the voting age in the UK should be change?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
* (c)
Explain why drugs and alcohol are a problem for society
(4)
(8)
(d) "Capital punishment should be reintroduced into the United Kingdom"
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i)
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii)
Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(3)
(Total for Question 10= 20 marks)
11. (a) What is a sin?
(b)
(2)
Do you think alcohol should be made illegal?
Give two reasons for your point of view
(4)
* (c) Choose onereligion other than Christianity and explain the different
attitudes followers of that religion have towards capital punishment
(8)
(d)
"The purpose of punishment should be retribution”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i)
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii)
Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(3)
(Total for Question 11 = 20 marks)
12. (a) What is rehabilitation?
(2)
(b) Do you think the death penalty is ever right?
Give two reasons for your point of view
* (c)
(d)
Explain why justice is important for Christians.
(4)
(8)
"If people were more religious, there would be less crime”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i)
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii)
Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(3)
(Total for Question 12 = 20 marks)