New
New
Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about corporal punishment

I can explain why Christians are against corporal punishment, using Bible teachings, Church views and ethical theories to support my answer.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about corporal punishment

I can explain why Christians are against corporal punishment, using Bible teachings, Church views and ethical theories to support my answer.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Christians reject corporal punishment as it goes against dignity, compassion and Jesus’ example.
  2. Bible verses are read in light of love, mercy and respect.
  3. The Catholic Church, Church of England and Quakers all oppose it, stressing justice that reforms, not harms.
  4. Corporal punishment fails to meet aims like reformation and protection.
  5. Ethical theories like Natural Law and Situation Ethics support this view.

Keywords

  • Corporal punishment - punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal

  • Dignity - the worth and value of each human life

  • Justice - what is right and fair

Common misconception

All Christians used to support corporal punishment

Early Christians often rejected violence; Quakers and Methodists led opposition in later periods.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about corporal punishment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Include a discussion on the law in the UK which currently allows parents to use mild physical punishment on children.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their meanings.

Correct Answer:retribution,punishment that gives a deserved consequence

punishment that gives a deserved consequence

Correct Answer:reformation,punishment that aims to change the offender

punishment that aims to change the offender

Correct Answer:deterrence,discouraging others from committing crimes

discouraging others from committing crimes

Q2.
What is corporal punishment?

keeping someone in prison for life
Correct answer: a punishment that causes physical pain
a fine paid for breaking the law

Q3.
Why do many people argue that corporal punishment is a human rights abuse?

it is too expensive for justice systems
it delays legal trials and court decisions
Correct answer: it causes pain and breaks human dignity

Q4.
Which aims of punishment does corporal punishment usually focus on?

Correct answer: retribution and deterrence – deserved pain and public warning
reformation – helping the offender change
protection – keeping the public safe by removing the offender

Q5.
What does community service usually involve?

going to prison
paying a fine
Correct answer: doing unpaid work to help society

Q6.
Which of the following aims of punishment is prison most often used for?

reformation – helping the offender change
Correct answer: protection – keeping the public safe
compensation – repaying the victim

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
challenged violent punishment by saying, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”

Correct Answer: Jesus

Q2.
Christians believe corporal punishment goes against human , which comes from being made in the image of God.

Correct Answer: dignity, Dignity

Q3.
Which ethical theory suggests punishment should support growth, not pain?

Divine Command Theory
Utilitarianism
Correct answer: Natural Law

Q4.
Which Church banned corporal punishment in its schools in 1987?

Baptist Union
Correct answer: Church of England
United Reformed Church

Q5.
What does Situation Ethics say about corporal punishment?

it is necessary for serious crimes
it is loving if done privately
Correct answer: it is rarely loving and should be avoided

Q6.
Early Christians supported corporal punishment.

Correct answer: False – many early Christians rejected violence and harm
True – they believed punishment should involve pain
False – They supported it only for children