Theories of Punishment

Learning objective: By the end of the lessons you should know the four theories of punishment and the Christian attitude to capital punishment

Divide a double page into three columns. Write down as many different punishments as you can think of in five minutes.

Home School Society

Money stopped

Detention Probation

The Theory of Deterrence

This Theory says that the punishment should try to stop other people from doing the crime

Deter- put off

The Theory of Protection

This theory says that the punishment protects society from the individual

Christianity teaches that the weak and vulnerable need to be protected

The Theory of Reform

This theory says that the punishment should try to reform the criminal- “Love thy neighbour”

The Theory of Retribution

This theory says that the punishment should reflect the crime. Punishment offers retributive justice - victims of crime want to feel that the perpetrator has not got away with it.

“An eye for an eye”

Capital Punishment- For

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” (Genisis)

“Thou shalt not murder”

Capital Punnishment - Against

“Thou shalt not kill”

Christianity is based on forgiveness and compassion

Capital punishment is biased against the poor

Abolition is in line with support for life

.

Which theory or theories would you associate with the following punishments

Protection

Reform

Retribution

Deterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ReformRetributionProtectionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

ProtectionReformRetributionDeterrence

Christian Attitudes

Christians believe that the weak need to be protected (Theory of Protection)

Punishment can be a loving thing to do as you are trying to teach that person to behave (Theory of Reform)

Many Christians believe that God will punish people for their sins

The Old testament is full of stories of a vengeful God

Christianity teaches that we should forgive people.. “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”

Plenary: What have you learnt?

Write down the four theories of punishment and write a sentence explaining each one

Which theory do you think Christians would support most?

Which theory of punishment do you think is most important ? Why?

GCSE Question: Explain why Christians have different views about capital punnishment. (6 marks)