Different religious views about the death penalty
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different Christian views on the death penalty and show how they are supported by biblical teachings and ethical theories.
Key learning points
- Christians today believe the death penalty is wrong because life is sacred and all people have the potential to change
- Jesus challenges retribution with “Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:38–39), promoting mercy over retribution
- Natural Law rejects the death penalty because it goes against the purpose of preserving life and helping people flourish
- Situation Ethics leads many Christians to oppose the death penalty
- Some Christians, like those in the Southern Baptist Convention, still support it, but this is a minority view
Keywords
Death penalty - capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state
Forgiveness - letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on
Justice - what is right and fair
Common misconception
Most Christians support the death penalty because the Bible says “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.”
Most Christians reject the death penalty because they agree with Jesus’ teaching 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.”
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Capital punishment is the ending of a person’s life as punishment for a serious crime.
Q2.Some people support the death penalty because they believe it is a .
Q3.What is one argument against the death penalty?
Q4.Which ethical theory focuses on outcomes and overall impact?
Q5.Which statement about the death penalty in the United States is true?
Q6.Which of these statements is true about the UK?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its correct definition.
capital punishment; legal execution by the state
letting go of blame and moving forward
acting in a fair and morally right way
Q2.Which Bible verse tells Christians not to repay harm with more harm?
Q3. believe the death penalty is wrong believing that every person has a divine inner light.
Q4.What is the Catholic Church’s current teaching on the death penalty?
Q5.What do Natural Law thinkers say about the death penalty?
Q6.Most Christians support the death penalty.
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about the death penalty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about the death penalty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion, crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.