the faculty said to enable us to make moral decisions, and to judge our own and others' actions

a deeply held moral or religious belief that guides a person’s actions, even when it conflicts with the law or social expectations

a German Lutheran pastor and theologian who opposed the Nazi regime

Opposition to an unjust law

Religious education

Good and evil intentions

Reasons for crime: poverty and upbringing

Reasons for crime: mental illness and addiction

Reasons for crime: greed and hate

Views about people who commit crime

Views about different types of crime

The aims of punishment

The treatment of criminals: prison and community service

The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment

Different religious views about corporal punishment

The concept of forgiveness

Different religious views about forgiveness

Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty

Different religious views about the death penalty

In this unit pupils will study ideas of crime and how people may view crime is caused. From that, they will examine different ideas of punishing crime and treating criminals focussing especially on a case study of the death penalty and ideas of forgiveness.

Religion, crime and punishment

Bonhoeffer’s decisions were based on his strong personal {{}}.

What inspired Bonhoeffer to stand against the Nazi regime?

through prayer, reasoning, and Church teachings

How do Catholics believe the conscience is shaped?

Which Christian group strongly emphasises following personal conscience, often through silent reflection?

because his personal conviction told him the laws were unjust

What was the key reason Martin Luther King Jr. chose to break certain laws?

Only when it supports their personal views

Where do some Christians believe evil comes from?

Why do some Christians support the death penalty?

God accepts  that poor people need to steal

Why might some Christians think poverty is not an excuse for crime?

Opposition to an unjust law

Lesson outcome