RELIGIOUS STUDIES ONLINE
 
  
 
 

Religious Attitudes to Crime and Punishment

Within this topic candidates should be aware of religious beliefs and teachings concerning human nature, wrong-doing and the punishment of offenders, and repentance and forgiveness. They should be aware of the implications of these beliefs and teachings in relation to:

  • an understanding of the religious beliefs about law and order;
  • concepts of right and wrong, conscience, duty and responsibility;
  • the debate about the causes of crime including social, environmental and psychological explanations;
  • the different types of crimes, including against the person, property and the state and religious offences;
  • the aims of punishment, defined as protection, retribution, deterrence, reformation, vindication and reparation;
  • the appropriateness of different forms of punishment in achieving the aims of punishment, including:
    • the handling of young offenders,
    • the effects of imprisonment,
    • the meaning and implications of life imprisonment,
    • issues arising out of parole and early release,
    • the debate about the death penalty (capital punishment);
  • alternatives to prison, including electronic tagging, probation, fines and community service and the debate about prison reform