Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Rawbone, and I'm your RS teacher today.

We're going to be looking today at different religious views about corporal punishments.

In today's lesson, you'll be able to explain why Christians are against corporal punishment, using Bible teachings, Church views, and ethical theories to support your answer.

Some keywords we'll be using are: corporal punishment, dignity, and justice.

Corporal punishment is punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal.

Dignity is the worth and value of each human life.

And justice is what is right and fair.

Today's lesson will take two parts.

Firstly, we'll be looking at Christian teachings on corporal punishment, and then we'll be looking at Christian responses to corporal punishment.

So let's get started on Christian teachings on corporal punishment.

Christian attitudes to corporal punishment are informed by different sources of authority, including the Bible, Church teachings, the example of other Christians, Christian ethical theories such as natural law and situation ethics, their conscience and ability to reason.

And Christians may interpret the sources differently or emphasise one more than another.

Christianity has a mixed history when it comes to corporal punishment.

The early Christians often rejected violence and focused on spiritual discipline.

From the fourth century onwards as Christianity became linked with state power, physical punishment became more accepted.

In the 5th to 15th centuries, the Middle Ages, corporal punishment was common in churches, schools, and monasteries.

In the 16th century, some Protestant reformers supported corporal punishment to maintain order and discipline.

In 18th to 19th century, some Christians, such as Quakers and Methodists, began to question harsh punishments and emphasise dignity.

Today, most Christian denominations reject corporal punishment.

So which of the following is true about Christian views on corporal punishment? A, early Christians promoted corporal punishment as a way to control sin; B, most Christian denominations today support corporal punishment; C, Quakers and Methodists have opposed harsh punishment and emphasised dignity; or D, corporal punishment was never used in Christian schools or monasteries.

Take a moment, think about your answer, pause if you need to and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put: Quakers and Methodists have opposed harsh punishment and emphasised dignity.

Biblical teachings can be used both to support and condemn corporal punishment.

Proverbs 23:13-14 says, "Do not withhold discipline from a child.

If you punish them with the rod, they will not die." So this verse appears to support corporal punishment to discipline children.

Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse suggests discipline for children should be loving and respectful.

So it seems to go against corporal punishment for children.

Romans 13:4 says, "Rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.

They're God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment." This verse, particularly the use of the term sword, might suggest that corporal punishment by law is acceptable.

On the other hand, John 8:7 says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." This is Jesus speaking, and he's challenging people who are ready to carry out the legal punishment of stoning for a woman who'd been caught committing adultery by reminding them of their own sin and urging them to mercy.

So it seems to go against corporal punishment as a legal punishment.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27.

Christians today interpret verses about corporal punishment in the light of teachings like this.

They see physical punishment as damaging to human dignity, and they favour discipline that shows respect, care, and compassion.

Which Bible verses can be used to oppose corporal punishment? I'd like you to choose two answers.

A, "Do not withhold discipline from a child.

If you punish them with the rod, they will not die." Proverbs 23:13-14.

B, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4.

C, "Rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.

They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment." Romans 13:4.

And D, "So God created mankind in his own image." Genesis 1:27.

So take a moment to choose two answers for quotations that could oppose corporal punishment.

Pause the video, jot them down, and come back when you are ready to check.

So well done if you chose B, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger," and D, "So God created mankind in his own image." Different Christian denominations agree that corporal punishment is unacceptable.

The Catholic Church teaches that every person has God-given dignity.

In 2021, Pope Francis spoke against the use of violence to discipline children.

The Catholic emphasis on mercy, justice, and human rights means that corporal punishment in any setting is discouraged.

The church supports approaches to justice that focus on reform and rehabilitation.

The Church of England teaches that all people are made in the image of God and should be treated with compassion.

In 1987, the General Synod voted to ban corporal punishment in church schools and affirmed that children deserve the same protection from violence as adults.

The church encourages justice that is focused on long-term change.

Quakers believe that every person has the light of God within and must be treated with dignity.

"Quaker Faith and Practise," section 23.

93, explains that corporal punishment is not compatible with treating people as children of God.

And Quakers have consistently opposed physical punishment in all settings, including homes, schools, and prisons.

Which church's opposition to corporal punishment is based on a belief in the inner light in every person? Is it A, the Roman Catholic Church; B, the Church of England; or C, the Quakers? Pause if you need to, jot down your answer, and come back when you are ready to move on.

So well done if you put Quakers.

Part one of our task on Christian teachings on corporal punishment: for each of the statements, I'd like you to decide whether it's taught in the Bible and suggest what it says about corporal punishment.

A, people should be treated with dignity because they're made in the image of God.

B, Jesus encouraged physical punishment for serious sin.

C, parents should discipline their children with the rod to save them from harm.

And D, pain is the best way to teach someone right from wrong.

Pause the video, think about whether those statements are taught in the Bible and link them to what they say about corporal punishment.

Come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for A that yes, this is taught in the Bible because based on Genesis 1:27, this verse teaches that all people are made in the image of God, so suggesting they should be treated with dignity.

Many Christians use this to argue against corporal punishment as it can harm a person's dignity.

For B, Jesus encouraged physical punishment.

No, he did not encourage physical punishment.

In fact, in John 8:7, he challenged people who wanted to stone a woman for sin, urging mercy instead of violence.

For C, parents should discipline their children with the rod to save them from harm.

Yes, this is taught in the Bible.

It's in Proverbs 23:13-14.

However, many Christians today interpret it in context and symbolically.

They prefer nonviolent forms of discipline.

And for D, pain is the best way to teach someone right from wrong.

No, this is not taught in the Bible.

It does speak about discipline, but it does not teach that pain is the best method.

Ephesians 6:4 urges parents to raise children with care and instruction, not with harshness.

So well done if you managed to explain which of those four points are found in the Bible and how they relate to corporal punishment.

For part two of our task, I'd like you to explain two different religious beliefs about corporal punishment, and in your answer, refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching.

For guidance, you can use point, develop, point, develop.

And for one of those points, link in a relevant source and explain what it teaches in relation to it.

It could be a quotation or it could be a general belief or teaching.

So pause the video, think about what you've learned so far about different Christian beliefs on corporal punishment.

Write down your answer and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said: Christians believe that corporal punishment is wrong because human life is sacred and created in the image of God.

Every person has inherent dignity and should be treated with care and respect.

Deliberately causing pain, especially to children, is damaging to that dignity and not in line with Christian love.

Another Christian belief is that punishment should be guided by mercy.

This is supported in John 8, when a woman caught in adultery is about to be stoned.

Jesus rejects violent punishment in favour of compassion when he says, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Christians use this to argue that corporal punishment is wrong and that discipline should be based on mercy.

So well done if you've managed to put across two different reasons for Christians as to why corporal punishment is wrong.

The second part of our lesson, we'll be looking at Christian responses to corporal punishment.

Frank is a Methodist who works with the Probation Service as a restorative justice practitioner.

Frank says, "I have seen how harsh or purely punitive approaches often fail to bring real change.

They can leave people feeling angry, excluded, or ashamed, rather than helping them to take responsibility.

I believe that every person is made in the image of God and deserves the chance to change.

Jesus taught mercy, justice, and restoration, not violence.

Restorative justice reflects these values by focusing on healing, accountability, and the dignity of everyone involved." So according to Frank, why don't harsh methods of punishment work? Take a moment, pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you are ready to move on.

So you might have noticed that Frank says they can leave people feeling angry, excluded, or ashamed.

Louise is a Methodist and she's been asked about her views on the use of corporal punishment in the home.

Louise says, "I bring my children up with love, patience, and clear boundaries, but never with physical punishment.

Every person is valuable and made in the image of God, including children.

Hitting a child, even as discipline, damages trust and dignity.

There are better ways to teach right from wrong that build a child's character rather than cause fear.

The Methodist Church teaches that violence is never a proper way to correct behaviour, especially in the home where children should feel safe and respected." So according to Louise, why isn't the corporal punishment of children effective? Pause the video.

Look carefully at what she said.

Turn around and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

So well done if you noticed that Louise says, hitting a child damages trust and it damages their dignity as well.

Gerald is a Roman Catholic prison chaplain.

Gerald says, "In my work as a chaplain, I meet people who have made serious mistakes, but I also see their potential to grow.

Jesus died for everyone, and so we all deserve the chance to change, no matter what we have done.

Corporal punishment does not help someone to change.

It causes pain, but it offers no way forward.

Prison, when it focuses on rehabilitation, can give people time to reflect, seek forgiveness, and rebuild their lives.

True justice should offer a path to healing, not just punishment." So according to Gerald, why isn't corporal punishment effective? Pause the video.

Have a look at what he said.

Turn and talk to someone nearby, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you are ready to move on.

So well done if you spotted that Gerald says, corporal punishment offers no way forward.

Which of the following best reflects the Christian view expressed about corporal punishment? A, is acceptable in the home if done with love and clear rules.

B, it helps people take responsibility by making them feel the consequences.

C, it harms dignity and trust and does not lead to genuine change.

Or D, it should only be used by the justice system, not by parents.

So take a moment, jot down your answer, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put C.

It harms dignity and trust, and does not lead to genuine change.

As well as looking at Bible and church teachings, Christians might apply Christian ethical theories when responding to corporal punishment.

Natural law is often used in Catholic teaching.

According to natural law, moral rules are found by using reason to identify the natural purposes built into human nature by God.

This means that natural law would generally oppose corporal punishment as it goes against the purpose of preserving life and promoting human flourishing.

Causing physical harm does not respect a person's dignity.

Discipline should support growth, not cause pain or humiliation.

Jason is a Catholic priest.

Along with using the Bible and church teachings, he also uses natural law when making moral decisions.

Jason says, "As a Catholic, I believe discipline is important, but natural law teaches that we're meant to protect life and help people flourish.

Causing physical harm, even as punishment, goes against that purpose.

It does not respect the dignity of the person or lead to real growth.

There are better ways to guide someone without damaging their body or spirit." Situation ethics is often linked to liberal Protestant ethics, and it's a different Christian ethical theory.

It means that moral decisions should be made by choosing the most loving action, agape, in each unique situation.

In terms of corporal punishment, situation ethics would say that Christians should reject it because causing physical pain rarely shows love.

Discipline should be based on what helps someone grow, not on what hurts them.

Ji-eun is a Methodist minister.

Along with using the Bible and looking for guidance from her Church, she also uses situation ethics when making moral decisions.

Ji-eun says, "I try to follow the example of Jesus by choosing the most loving action in each situation.

I believe discipline and justice are important, but causing physical pain is not a loving way to guide someone.

There are better ways to help a person grow, and that's why I believe corporal punishment is wrong.

Love never needs to hurt in order to teach." One argument for corporal punishment is that it is a deterrent.

So the threat of corporal punishment puts people off committing crime by making them fear the pain it causes.

This fear can stop them from offending, helping to prevent further crime.

Christians would disagree with this because they don't think that fear changes someone's heart.

And Jesus taught forgiveness and wanted to guide people towards doing what is right.

Another argument for is that it provides retribution.

So corporal punishment gets the criminal back for the crime by making them suffer in return, which some see as fair and deserved justice.

Again, Christians would disagree, as the Bible says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil," in Romans 12:17.

Causing suffering is not justice, it's revenge.

An argument against corporal punishment is that it does not support reformation.

So corporal punishment focuses on causing pain rather than helping the criminals see how and why their behaviour was wrong.

So their mindset is less likely to change for the better.

Christians would agree.

Jesus often forgave sinners and he helped them change, like in the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19:1-10.

Another argument against corporal punishment is that it does not support protection.

Protection is a legal measure aimed at preserving another person's rights and freedoms. But corporal punishment only punishes the offender without removing them from society or reducing future harm to others.

A Christian would agree because Jesus taught, "Love your neighbour as yourself," in Mark 12:31, which includes protecting others from harm.

Which of the following best explains why Christians disagree with corporal punishment as a form of retribution? A, it removes the offender from society to keep others safe.

B, it helps the offender understand their wrongdoing.

C, it causes suffering, which Christians see as revenge rather than justice.

Or D, it reflects Jesus' teaching to treat others as they deserve.

Take a moment, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you chose C.

It causes suffering, which Christians see as revenge rather than justice.

For task B, I'd like you to consider the statement "Corporal punishment is always wrong," and for each point below, say whether it supports or challenges it.

Explain how, and add what a Christian might say.

So the first point is that causing pain can help someone learn right from wrong.

Is this for or against? Explain and add a Christian comment.

The second, human life has dignity.

The third, if it is harsh enough, a punishment can deter others from crime.

Fourthly, natural law teaches that people should flourish.

And finally, situation ethics focuses on the most loving thing to do.

So take your time to decide how each point could be used to explain how and why, and then to add a Christian comment.

Pause the video, and come back when you are ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for the first point, causing pain can help someone learn right from wrong, this is against.

It suggests corporal punishment may sometimes be effective in correcting behaviour, but Christians would disagree and support approaches like restorative justice.

For the second point, human life has dignity, this is for the statement.

It suggests corporal punishment undermines people's worth.

Christians would agree with this as human life is made in God's image.

For the third point, if it is harsh enough, a punishment can deter others, this is against.

It suggests that corporal punishment could reduce crime, and Christians would disagree and say that reformation is a better way to reduce crime.

And Christians would disagree, and argue that reformation is a better way to reduce crime.

For the fourth point, natural law teaches that people should flourish, this is an argument for.

Causing someone harm does not help them flourish, and Christians would agree, as fear does not result in flourishing.

And for the fifth point, that situation ethics focuses on the most loving thing to do, this would be an argument for the statement too.

Causing pain or fear is not a loving response, and Christians would agree, as Jesus taught love.

So well done if you spotted whether they were arguments for or against the statement, if you managed to explain why and how, and if you included a Christian comment.

In today's lesson, we've looked at the fact that Christians today reject corporal punishment, teaching that it goes against human dignity, compassion, and the example of Jesus.

That Christians interpret Bible verses in the light of wider teachings on love, mercy, and respect for others.

That the Catholic Church, the Church of England, and Quakers all oppose corporal punishment, each emphasising human dignity and the need for justice that reforms rather than harms. That corporal punishment is often criticised for failing to meet key aims of punishment, such as reformation and protection.

And that Christian ethical theories like natural law and situation ethics support this view.

Thank you very much for your hard work today and for working through this lesson with me.