Transcript Document

 starter activity
The sanctuary knocker at Durham Cathedral,
which dates from the Middle Ages. Why did
Christian churches give sanctuary to
criminals?
The Church has always looked
on itself as a way to bring new
life to criminals.
 starter activity
Wanted poster for the
International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda
Make notes on the Rwanda
Genocide of 1994
 starter activity
What do you
think prison
should do to
prisoners?
Tread Wheel, Pentonville Prison 1895
Christianity And Punishment
By Mr Yelland
Downloaded from Kings School
Aims
To understand why Punishment is important
to Christians.
To understand the reasons why Christians
believe in punishment.
To be able to explain why Christians believe
in repentance and reform of the criminal.
Jesus views on crime
Jesus was more concerned with a person's inward honesty and morality
rather than outward shows of being good. This is shown by the parable of
the Pharisee and the Tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). Jesus taught that
although keeping the law was important it was what the people were like
inside that was more important. Jesus said that criminal thoughts were as
wrong as the deeds themselves. He was also very critical of those who
were quick to judge others' crimes while ignoring their own.
"Pass no judgments and you will not be judged"
Matthew 7:1
"Do not look at the speck in your brother's eye
and ignore the log in your own"
Matthew 7:3
Jesus views on crime
Jesus was often criticised for mixing with those who were
thought of as sinners - tax collectors, prostitutes and
cheats. He took the view that it was important to God that
people changed their ways and he had come to help them
do this. Read the parable of the woman caught in adultery
(John 8:1-11). Jesus told many stories about how sinners
would be welcomed by God after they had confessed their
sins. Read the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7).
Jesus also showed his teachings by example for when he
was dying on the cross he asked God to forgive his
murderers.
"Forgive them Father! They don't know what they are
doing.
Luke 23:34
A Christian response to crime
Most Christians believe that punishment and forgiveness can go
together. They also put great stress on working to stop the causes of
crime (see above). Over the last 150 years many Christians have
worked towards the idea of reforming criminals as they see the idea of
reform as being the most important reason for punishment. Many
Christians are involved in prison visiting. Most churches and
Christians agree that we need to look at the causes of crime as well as
how to deal with existing crime. Many crimes come about because of
poverty, unfair distribution of wealth, poor housing and bad social
conditions. If we could spend money on reducing these things then
maybe there would not be so much crime. We also need to examine
the lifestyle that we are encouraged to lead. It is considered normal to
have a house, car, stereos, TVs, videos, computers, designer clothing
and shoes, microwaves, holidays etc. Yet despite promoting this as
the norm society prevents some people from achieving this by
creating economic structures which keep millions of people in
unemployment or low paid jobs.
 starter activity
The Salvation Army recognizes the need of
society to be protected from wrongdoers,
especially those willing to use violence.
Title – Christianity and Punishment
Tasks To Do pg 86-87:
1. Explain what Jesus seemed to believe about punishment.
2. What do Christian’s believe about the purpose of punishment?
3. Explain the 6 reasons why Christians believe criminals should be given
the opportunity to repent and reform
4. Many Christians also believe that punishment should be used to protect
society and deter people from committing crimes: explain the 4 reasons
for this belief.
5. Copy and explain Matthew 7:1-2
6. Copy the SUMMARY from pg 87
7. “All criminals should go to prison.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing you have
considered another point of view. In your answer, you should refer to
at least one religion.
Christianity and punishment
Some Christians believe that the only purpose of
punishment is to reform the criminal. Everyone can be saved
and criminals should be given the chance to repent and
change their lives.
They believe this because:
 Jesus said Christians should not judge others.
 Christianity is about the power of God to save people and
change their lives.
 The Church has always seen itself as a way to bring new
life to criminals.
 The Churches have made many statements about the
need for punishment to be used to reform criminals so
that they can live in society.
Some Christians believe that punishment should be used to
deter criminals and protect society as well as reform
criminals.
They believe this because:
 St. Paul said that the authorities have the right to use
magistrates to uphold the law.
 Without a police force and punishment for criminals,
society would collapse.
 The Churches have made many statements that
punishment can be used to deter and protect.
 Jesus punished the money changers when he threw
them out of the Temple.
Christianity and the Death Penalty
Although some interpret that John 8:7 of the Bible condemns the death penalty, Christian
positions, as on many social issues, vary. The promulgator of Christianity, Jesus of
Nazareth, was executed by crucifixion, and that method of execution became a symbol for
Christianity. Furthermore, numerous Catholic saints have been martyred by usage of the
death penalty.
The Roman Catholic Church traditionally accepted capital punishment as per the theology
of Thomas Aquinas (who accepted the death penalty as a necessary deterrent and
prevention method, but not as the means of vengeance). Under the pontificate of Pope
John Paul II, this position was refined. His encyclical Evangelium Vitae denounced
abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia as murder. The Roman Catholic Church
holds that the death penalty is no longer necessary if it can be replaced by incarceration.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says "If bloodless means are sufficient to defend
human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons,
public authority must limit itself to such means, because they better correspond to the
concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the
human person".
The Lambeth Conference of Anglican and Episcopalian bishops condemned the death
penalty in 1988. In Protestantism, both Martin Luther and John Calvin followed the
traditional reasoning in favor of capital punishment, and the Augsburg Confession
explicitly defends it; the Mennonites and Friends, among other, smaller groups, opposed
it. Some Protestant groups have cited Genesis 9:5-6, Romans 13:3-4, and Leviticus 20:127 as the basis for permitting the death penalty. Both proponents and opponents derive
their own stance from the Bible itself. Until recently, however, the retentionist position was
held by all but a relatively few groups.
The United Methodist Church, along with other Methodist churches, also condemns
capital punishment, saying that it cannot accept retribution or social vengeance as a
reason for taking human life.The Church also holds that the death penalty falls unfairly
and unequally upon marginalized persons including the poor, the uneducated, ethnic and
religious minorities, and persons with mental and emotional illnesses.The General
Conference of the United Methodist Church calls for its bishops to uphold opposition to
capital punishment and for governments to enact an immediate moratorium on carrying
out the death penalty sentence.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (colloquially known as Mormons) hold a
neutral position on the death penalty.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship and many other Christian esoteric schools condemns the
capital punishment in all circumstances.
10 Minute Test – RE Christianity And Punishment pg
86-87
Q1. How did Jesus view ‘punishment’?
Q2. What do many Christians believe that the ONLY purpose (reason)
for punishment should be?
Q3.What do Christians mean by ‘ no one is irredeemable’ ?
Q4. Give 4 REASONS why many Christians believe that every criminal
should be given the opportunity to repent and reform their lives.
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Q5. What 2 ideas do many Christians also believe about punishment
(top pg 87)?
i)
ii)
Q6. What did St Paul say?
Q7. What does the story of Jesus throwing money changers out of the
Temple show?