New
New
Year 11
AQA

Reasons for crime: greed and hate

I can explain how greed and hate can cause crime and describe Christian and secular responses to these causes.

New
New
Year 11
AQA

Reasons for crime: greed and hate

I can explain how greed and hate can cause crime and describe Christian and secular responses to these causes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. People driven by greed may commit crimes like fraud, bribery or tax evasion to gain money, power or status.
  2. Hate can cause crimes such as vandalism, violence or online abuse, often based on prejudice against certain groups.
  3. The Bible teaches that both greed (1 Timothy 6:10) and hatred (Matthew 5:21–22) can lead people to serious sin and harm.
  4. Christian denominations teach that greed and hate are sinful and cause harm to individuals and society.
  5. Charities like Church Action on Poverty and Hope Not Hate aim to address greed and hate to help prevent crime.

Keywords

  • Crime - action which breaks the law; can be against the person (e.g., murder), against property (e.g., vandalism), or against the state (e.g., treason)

  • Greed - reason for committing crime – wanting or desiring something or more of something

  • Hate - reason for committing crime – prejudice or hatred against a person or group

Common misconception

Hate crime is only about violence.

Hate crime can also include speech, vandalism or online abuse driven by prejudice.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Reasons for crime: greed and hate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use real case studies where crimes have been committed as a result of greed or hatred.
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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5 Questions

Q1.
Mental illness can make it hard to make good , especially without support.

Correct Answer: choices, Choices

Q2.
What is addiction?

a small habit
Correct answer: a serious condition
a lack of interest

Q3.
What is a helpful response to people suffering from addiction?

to arrest them
to degrade them
Correct answer: to provide them with treatment

Q4.
Christianity teaches the need to respond with to those affected by illness or addiction.

Correct Answer: care, Care

Q5.
What approach to people suffering from addiction do many religious and secular views agree on?

blaming them without help
punishing everyone equally
Correct answer: combining support and accountability

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its meaning.

Correct Answer:crime,an action which breaks the law

an action which breaks the law

Correct Answer:greed,wanting or desiring something or more of something

wanting or desiring something or more of something

Correct Answer:hate,prejudice or hatred against a person or group

prejudice or hatred against a person or group

Q2.
Greed can lead to crimes like fraud and to gain wealth or power.

Correct Answer: bribery, Bribery

Q3.
Which of the following is an example of a hate crime?

Correct answer: posting racial abuse online
speeding
stealing

Q4.
1 Timothy 6:10 teaches that the love of is the root of all kinds of evil.

Correct Answer: money, Money

Q5.
When can vandalism be considered a hate crime?

when it damages property
when it happens by accident
Correct answer: when it targets a race or religion