Christianity and crime
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different Christian and non-religious views about crime and how beliefs influence responses to it.
Key learning points
- Crime is defined as an action that breaks the law, motivation and intent affect how serious a crime is judged.
- There are many causes of crime including poverty, mental illness, hatred and opposition to an unjust law.
- Christian views on crime emphasise justice, dignity and addressing its root causes.
- Utilitarians focus on reducing harm, psychologists consider causes like trauma and humanists emphasise human rights.
- Charities respond in different ways, like the Salvation Army tackling poverty and CARE campaigning against hate crime.
Keywords
Crime - an action which breaks the law; it can be against the person, against property or against the state
Injustice - when people are treated unfairly, denied equal rights, or not given the same opportunities or protections as others
Justice - fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity
Common misconception
Hate crimes are always violent.
Hate crimes include a wide range of offences, such as verbal abuse, vandalism or threats, motivated by prejudice. Christians oppose all forms because they violate the command to love your neighbour.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to explore how different causes of crime (e.g. poverty, protest, hate) can affect views on responsibility. Use discussion scales to help students express and justify nuanced opinions.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did Jesus say is the most important commandment?
Q2.Where do many Christians believe their moral guidance comes from?
Q3.What does the Parable of the Good Samaritan teach Christians today?
Q4.Christians believe there will be a future judgement. What will it be based upon?
Q5.Why do Christians believe people should not commit crimes?
Q6.What did Jesus say about enemies?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its correct definition.
An action which breaks the law.
When everyone has equal opportunity.
When people are treated unfairly or denied rights.
Q2.In the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has condemned racism as sinful.
Q3.The motivation of hatred increases the seriousness of a hate crime.
Q4.What is one Christian response to crime?
Q5.What does the Salvation Army do in response to crime?
Q6.Hate crimes are always violent.
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity and crime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Christianity and crime, 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 Issues of Good and Evil unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.