Then Retribution, many criminals deserve to suffer for what they have done wrong, this is what many people believe. One of the aims for this type of punishment is to enable the victim to feel like justice has been done. Sometimes this is referred to as getting revenge. As Christians would say,
“ An eye for an Eye ”
Followed by deterrence, this is to discourage the offender and other potential offenders from committing similar crimes. This is to deter people from committing a crime. Many argue that if the death penalty was still in use. It would deter people from wanting to kill someone, as they would also lose their life.
The other aim of punishment would be reformation. This kind of punishment is to show offenders what they have been doing is wrong. This is to help criminals to change their ways. Instead of continuing with a life of crime, and to persuade them to become responsible citizens this idea may involve lawbreakers attending group therapy where their crimes will be discussed and analysed. This helps the victims of crime and community service orders where offenders carry out works to help members of the local community.
Finally, there is vindication. This aim of punishment is necessary to us as members of society to respect the law. Without law and order we could all do what ever we wanted. The result would be total chaos. So this is to make it clear that the law is there to be taken serious and not to be ignored. Failure to keep the law results in punishment.
B) Capital punishment (the death penalty) is stilled used in many countries. Explain how the beliefs and teachings of the religions (Islam and Christianity) might affect the attitudes of believers towards capital punishment.
In Islam politics and religion cannot be separated. The quran states that all Muslims will be punished for disobeying Allah’s rules, this in some cases can lead to capital punishment, and this can be for adultery, and other offences. The most serious sin is shirk, this is putting something above Allah. Most Muslims don’t bother committing crimes, as they believe Allah is omnipotent and omnipresent.
Muslim punishments are seen as a deterrence and retribution. This is to put of offenders from committing the same crime. It deters the society and also is revenge to the offender. In the Quran it says that those who commit the crime will be punished.
“ A Life for a Life ”
Muslims believe in the Law of equality. The victim’s relatives may decide to opt for compensation instead of the death penalty, in which case they would be imprisoned for life. Giving the family a choice is an important part of Islamic justice. These severe punishments do have an affect on Muslims. In Islam crime rates are considerable lower in Muslim societies. This could be because there are Hudud punishments or that no true Muslim would consider committing a crime as this may destroy their dreams of going to paradise.
In Christianity, strict Christians that follow the religions guidelines. Should not believe in the death Penalty. This is stated in the Bible (OT)
“ Thou shall not kill ”
Capital punishment would break this commandment. The 10 commandments still form the basis of society’s moral and legal code. Christians believe the death penalty is inhumane and causes more suffering to the victim’s family.
In the Old Testament they practised the Law of Talon, these are teachings such as;
“An eye for an eye” and “A tooth for a tooth”
this penalty was given to crimes such as homosexuality . but in new testament times Jesus reject this theory of the Law of Talon and taught other Christians his beliefs on forgiveness and reform so they could repent for their sins. Jesus practises this even whilst being crucified.
“Love your neighbour as yourself”.
However some Christians who continue to follow Old Testament teachings believe in the death penalty accordingly by following the Law of Talon. But those that follow Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament believe that is for God to decide whether someone is to die or not. This is called the sanctity of life.
“Let him without sin cast the first stone”
Capital Punishment has an affect on Christians, but as there are no strict guidelines that a Christian must follow Jesus’ teachings on the death penalty. It is up to the interpretation of Christians to decide whether they believe in it or not. Both religions look, at crime and punishment including the Death penalty is very different, this is because Christians have the choice but the bible states that God should decide who lives and who dies, whilst Muslims strongly believe in the death penalty. Punishment is different. In the UK if committing murder usually a life sentence would be undertaken whilst in a Muslim society if this was to happen the offender would be convicted to death.
