Lesson video

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

We're going to be working on different religious views about the death penalty.

In today's lesson, you'll be explaining different Christian views on the death penalty and showing how they're supported by biblical teachings and ethical theories.

Keywords we'll be using today are the "death penalty," "forgiveness," and "justice." The death penalty is also known as capital punishment, and it's the execution of a criminal, which is sanctioned by the state.

Forgiveness is letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done or moving on.

And justice is what is right and fair.

Today's session we'll have two parts.

We'll be looking firstly at Christian teachings on the death penalty and then at Christian responses to the death penalty.

So let's get started on Christian teachings on the death penalty.

Christian attitudes to the death penalty 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 their ability to reason.

And Christians might interpret these sources differently or emphasise one more than another.

Christian views on the death penalty have developed and changed over time.

Many early Christians opposed the death penalty.

They were influenced by Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and non-violence, for example, in John 8:1-11.

The Church was also often persecuted by the Roman state and resisted supporting state executions.

By the time we get to the fourth century CE, after Christianity became the Roman Empire's official religion under Constantine, some Church Fathers are still emphasising mercy and forgiveness, but others have accepted the death penalty as part of the state's legitimate power.

During the Middle Ages, the 5th to the 15th century CE, the Catholic Church in general supported the death penalty for serious crimes and for heresy, seeing it as a way to protect society and uphold justice.

Thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, who were the Catholic theologian, argued it was justified if it served the common good.

When we get to the 16th century and the Reformation, Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin support the death penalty as well.

It's part of maintaining law and order, and they see it as a punishment for wrongdoing and deterrence.

At this time, however, as we start to get some new religious movements arising, we do start to have a few people raising questions about the death penalty.

In the 20th century, and slightly before that, we have people influenced by ideas about human rights and concerned about wrongful convictions.

More and more Christians are beginning to question the death penalty, and nowadays most Christians no longer support it.

So, which best describes the attitude of early Christians, so in the 1st to 3rd centuries, towards the death penalty? A, they fully supported it based on Old Testament law.

B, they generally opposed it following Jesus' teachings on forgiveness.

C, they accepted it as long as it was carried out by Roman authorities.

Or D, they believed it was only acceptable for murder.

So take a moment, think about your answer, pause if you need to, jot it down, and then come back when you are ready to move on.

So well done if you put B, they generally opposed it, following Jesus' teachings on forgiveness.

Biblical teachings can be used both to support and condemn the death penalty.

Here's some support: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot," Exodus 21:24.

So this could support the death penalty for serious crimes.

It reflects the principle of retribution, suggesting that a punishment should match the crime.

On the other hand, on the condemned side, we have Matthew 5:38-39: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person." So, Jesus here is directly challenging that principle of retribution that was found in the Old Testament.

He's encouraging his followers to respond to wrongdoing with mercy, forgiveness, and not with violence.

Here's some more support that we could find in the Bible.

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

They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." So this passage is often used to argue that governments have a God-given role in maintaining law and order, including the power to use force to punish a serious crime.

But on the condemned side from Romans 12:19, we have Paul writing: "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." So this would suggest that judgement belongs to God, not to individuals, and it's often used to argue against retributive punishments like the death penalty.

So, where do Christians stand on the death penalty? Here's a quotation from the words of Jesus: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost," Luke 19:10.

So, "Son of Man" is a term that Jesus sometimes uses for himself.

Well, this kind of verse might remind Christians that Jesus' mission was to rescue those far away from God, "save the lost," and that might include wrongdoers.

So ending someone's life through the death penalty would contradict this call to hope, mercy, and the possibility that people could be saved, whatever they have done.

Let's check your understanding.

I'd like you to give one biblical teaching that could be used to suggest the death penalty is morally unacceptable.

So take a moment, think about the teachings we've considered, jot down your answer, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said either of the following: "Do not resist an evil person," Matthew 5:39.

Or "Do not take revenge," Romans 12:19.

So well done if you managed to put across the idea that in the Bible, there are teachings that suggest we should not respond with violence, even to wrongdoing.

Most Christian denominations agree that the death penalty is unacceptable.

The Catholic Church now teaches that the death penalty is wrong in all cases.

In 2018, the Catechism was updated to say: "The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and the Church works with determination for its abolition worldwide." The Church believes that modern justice systems can protect society without killing, and that everyone should be given the chance to reform.

Quakers have consistently opposed the death penalty based on the belief that every person has a divine light and the potential for change.

And they've always opposed this since they first began.

Quaker Concern for the Abolition of the Death Penalty is an organisation that's been active in campaigning against the death penalty worldwide, working with other faith and human rights organisations to promote justice systems focused on restoration rather than retribution.

In contrast, very few Christian denominations accept the death penalty.

One example is the Southern Baptist Convention.

It supports the death penalty, as stated in its official statement of 2000.

However, most Baptist churches disagree with this.

So the American Baptist Churches USA and the Baptist Union of Great Britain have called for the abolition of the death penalty, emphasising human dignity, justice, and the potential for reform.

There's a difference in opinion in the Baptist Church because Baptist churches are independent of each other.

Let's check your understanding.

Which Christian denomination have never supported the death penalty? Is it A, the Roman Catholic Church; B, Quakers; or C, the Southern Baptist Convention? Take a moment to think about your answer, pause if you need to, and then come back when you are ready to check.

So well done if you put B, the Quakers.

For part one of our task on Christian teachings on the death penalty, I'd like you to explain two different religious beliefs about the death penalty.

You might want to use the suggestions below: Point: so "Some," or you can insert the name of a group.

Develop: "This means." And for your second point, "Other," or again, you could use the name of the group.

And develop: "This means." So take a moment to think about your answer, pause the video, and when you're finished, come back to see what you could have written.

Let's have a look at what you could have said.

For most Christians, for example, Quakers, the death penalty is wrong because all life is sacred and every person has the potential to change.

This means they think justice should be about mercy and giving people the chance to repent, not taking their life away.

A very small minority of Christians, such as those in the Southern Baptist Convention, believe the death penalty can be allowed for serious crimes like murder.

This means they think it is a fair punishment that can protect society and deliver justice when used properly.

So well done if you managed to explain those two different views, and particularly if you managed to show that you could see there was a difference between what most think and what a very small minority think.

So, for the second part of our task, I'd like you to choose one of your points and develop it further by naming a relevant source of authority, saying what it teaches, and applying it to beliefs about the death penalty as a punishment.

To develop your answer further, you could use the suggestions below.

So you could name a source of authority, for example, "The Bible," or "Jesus says," or, "Church leaders say," say what it teaches, this might be a quotation, a paraphrase, or a general belief or teaching, and apply it to the death penalty, "This means," or "This shows." So take your time, think about how to develop one of your points further, write down your answer, then come back when you're ready to see what you could have said.

So, to develop the first point, which was: most Christians, for example, Quakers, believe the death penalty is wrong because all life is sacred and every person has the potential to change.

This means they think justice should be about mercy and giving people the chance, not taking their life away.

You could have said: Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-39, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person." This teaches Christians to reject the death penalty and shows that punishment should not seek to hurt the offender in return.

So well done if you managed to develop either of those points with a teaching.

For the second part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at Christian responses to the death penalty.

Jun and Sofia are researching Christian views on the death penalty.

They will be speaking to Fiona, who's an Anglican.

Jun says, "I think we should start with, 'What do you believe about the death penalty and what has influenced your view on it?'" Sofia then says, "Then we could ask, 'Do you think it's okay for Christians to have different views on the death penalty, or should they all agree?'" So what sort of things might influence a Christian's view on the death penalty? Pause the video.

Take a moment to turn 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.

Fiona is an Anglican Christian.

Jun says, "Fiona, what do you believe about the death penalty? What has influenced your view?" Fiona responds, "I think the death penalty is wrong because every person is made in the image of God, and God offers forgiveness to everyone.

Visiting people in prison has really shaped my view.

I've met offenders who deeply regret what they've done and are genuinely trying to turn their lives around." So have a think about Jun's question.

What has influenced Fiona's view on the death penalty? Take a moment, pause the video, turn and talk to me or to someone nearby if you can, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

So you might have noticed that Fiona has been influenced by her Christian beliefs and her experience of visiting people in prison.

Sofia says, "Fiona, do you think it's okay for Christians to have different views on the death penalty, or should they all agree?" Fiona says, "I don't think Christians should have different views on the death penalty.

I find it hard to understand how any Christian could support it because Jesus taught mercy and forgiveness.

Taking a life goes against his message.

While some Christians focus on justice, I believe true justice should always respect human dignity and offer hope, not death." So why doesn't Fiona think it's okay for Christians to have different views on the death penalty? Pause the video.

Look at what she said.

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

So you might have noticed that Fiona says accepting Jesus' teaching on mercy and forgiveness means Christians should disagree with the death penalty.

Which of the following best reflects most Christian views on the death penalty today? A, it's acceptable because some crimes deserve death.

B, it should be used to show God's judgement.

C, it's wrong because every person has a chance to change and be forgiven.

Or D, it is the best way to protect society from dangerous criminals.

So take a moment to think about your answer.

Pause if you need to, and then come back when you are ready to check.

Well done if you put C, it's wrong because every person has the chance to change and be forgiven.

As well as looking at biblical and Church teachings, Christians might apply Christian ethical theories when responding to the death penalty.

Natural law is often used in Catholic teaching.

It says that moral rules are found by using reason to identify the natural purposes built into human nature by God.

Preserving life is one of the five primary precepts, so this would suggest that deliberately ending a life through execution goes against natural law.

Danielle is a Roman Catholic.

Along with using the Bible and Church teaching, she also uses natural law when making moral decisions.

Danielle says, "We are meant to protect life and help people flourish.

Ending someone's life through the death penalty goes against that purpose.

It does not respect the dignity of the person or allow for repentance and growth.

There are better ways to uphold justice without taking away the chance for change or damaging the soul." So, how is Danielle using natural law to support her view? Pause the video, have a look at what she said, come back when you are ready to move on.

You might have noticed that Danielle says we should protect life and help it flourish.

Another ethical theory that Christians might use is situation ethics, and this is often linked to liberal Protestant ethics.

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

In this case, execution, because it removes the chance for reform, goes against love's goal of helping people grow and improve.

Fergus is a liberal Anglican, and along with using the Bible and looking for guidance from his Church, he also uses situation ethics when making moral decisions.

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

I believe justice and accountability matter, but taking someone's life is not a loving way to respond to wrongdoing.

There are always better ways to help a person change and protect society." So what does Fergus say which shows he is using situation ethics? Pause the video, have a look at what he said, jot down your answer, or talk to somebody else, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

You might have noticed that Fergus says he tries to do the most loving thing in each situation.

So, which statement accurately describes acting according to natural law? Is it A, considering each situation individually and acting on the basis of love? B, using reason to understand what is right or wrong by observing how things naturally work? Or C, following rules directly commanded by God? Take a moment to jot down your answer and come back when you are ready to move on.

So well done if you spotted it's B, using reason to understand what is right or wrong by observing how things naturally work.

An argument for the death penalty is that it provides retribution.

The death penalty punishes the offender by taking their life in return for the harm that they caused.

The biblical quotation "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" in Exodus 21:24 could be seen as support for this.

However, most Christians disagree because Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person." This was in Matthew 5:38-39.

So this teaches that justice should not be about retribution, but about responding with mercy and love.

An argument against the death penalty is that it does not support reformation.

The death penalty ends a person's life rather than giving them the chance to understand their actions and change for the better.

Now, most Christians would agree with this, as Jesus often forgave sinners and helped them turn their lives around, like in the story of Zacchaeus, who was a tax collector, in Luke 19:1-10.

This shows that change is possible, and many believe justice should give people the opportunity to repent and grow.

So Jesus, for example, took on Zacchaeus as one of his disciples, giving him the chance to repent and grow, and to change.

So why do many Christians believe the death penalty does not support reformation? Is it A, it allows the offender to pay back their debt to society? B, it ends the person's life before they have a chance to change? C, it gives the offender time to reflect and grow? Or D, it was often used in the Bible as a just punishment? 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 B, it ends the person's life before they have a chance to change.

For our task on Christian responses to the death penalty, here are two arguments that someone might make against the statement "The death penalty can never be justified." I'd like you to explain how most Christians would respond to the arguments.

The first argument is "some," and this does include a minority of Christians, like the Southern Baptist Convention, would argue that the offender has forfeited their right to life and that the death penalty is a fair and just response.

So you're going to think about the response of most Christians to that.

The second argument is that some people would say that allowing a dangerous criminal to live in the hope they might change, ignores the seriousness of their actions and the pain caused to their victims. And again, you're going to think about how most Christians would respond to that.

So take your time, pause the video, come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for the first argument that some, including a minority of Christians, would argue the offender has forfeited their right to live.

A Christian might respond that the death penalty is wrong because all life is sacred.

Every person is made in the image of God.

And for the second argument, that some people would say allowing a dangerous criminal to live in the hope they might change ignores the seriousness of their actions and the pain caused.

A Christian might respond that the death penalty is wrong because no one is beyond forgiveness.

Executing someone deprives them of their chance to change.

So well done if you managed to put across two Christian arguments that could be used in response to arguments for the death penalty.

In today's lesson, we have learned that Christians today believe the death penalty is wrong because life is sacred and everyone has the potential to change.

That the Bible includes teachings that are used on both sides of the debate, but Jesus encourages mercy instead of revenge.

Natural law rejects the death penalty because it goes against the aim of preserving life and helping people to flourish.

Situation ethics also leads many Christians to oppose it, as the most loving action is rarely to end someone's life.

A small number of Christians, such as those in the Southern Baptist Convention, still support the death penalty in certain cases, but this view is not widely held.

Well done for all of your hard work today on this lesson on different religious views about the death penalty.