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The sanctuary knocker at Durham Cathedral, which
dates from the Middle Ages. Why did Christian
churches give sanctuary to criminals?
The Church has always looked on itself as a way
to bring new life to criminals.
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Wanted poster for the International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda
Make notes on the Rwanda Genocide of 1994
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What do you think prison should do to prisoners?
Tread Wheel, Pentonville Prison 1895
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Christianity And Punishment
By Mr Yelland Downloaded from Kings School
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Aims To understand why Punishment is important to
Christians. To understand the reasons why
Christians believe in punishment. To be able to
explain why Christians believe in repentance and
reform of the criminal.
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Jesus views on crime Jesus was more concerned
with a person's inward honesty and morality
rather than outward shows of being good. This is
shown by the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax
collector (Luke 189-14). Jesus taught that
although keeping the law was important it was
what the people were like inside that was more
important. Jesus said that criminal thoughts were
as wrong as the deeds themselves. He was also
very critical of those who were quick to judge
others' crimes while ignoring their own. "Pass
no judgments and you will not be judged"Matthew
71 "Do not look at the speck in your brother's
eye and ignore the log in your own"Matthew 73
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Jesus views on crime Jesus was often criticised
for mixing with those who were thought of as
sinners - tax collectors, prostitutes and cheats.
He took the view that it was important to God
that people changed their ways and he had come to
help them do this. Read the parable of the woman
caught in adultery (John 81-11). Jesus told many
stories about how sinners would be welcomed by
God after they had confessed their sins. Read the
parable of the lost sheep (Luke 154-7). Jesus
also showed his teachings by example for when he
was dying on the cross he asked God to forgive
his murderers. "Forgive them Father! They don't
know what they are doing.Luke 2334
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A Christian response to crime Most Christians
believe that punishment and forgiveness can go
together. They also put great stress on working
to stop the causes of crime (see above). Over the
last 150 years many Christians have worked
towards the idea of reforming criminals as they
see the idea of reform as being the most
important reason for punishment. Many Christians
are involved in prison visiting. Most churches
and Christians agree that we need to look at the
causes of crime as well as how to deal with
existing crime. Many crimes come about because of
poverty, unfair distribution of wealth, poor
housing and bad social conditions. If we could
spend money on reducing these things then maybe
there would not be so much crime. We also need to
examine the lifestyle that we are encouraged to
lead. It is considered normal to have a house,
car, stereos, TVs, videos, computers, designer
clothing and shoes, microwaves, holidays etc. Yet
despite promoting this as the norm society
prevents some people from achieving this by
creating economic structures which keep millions
of people in unemployment or low paid jobs.
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The Salvation Army recognizes the need of society
to be protected from wrongdoers, especially those
willing to use violence.
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• Title Christianity and Punishment
• Tasks To Do pg 86-87
• Explain what Jesus seemed to believe about
  punishment.
• What do Christians believe about the purpose of
  punishment?
• Explain the 6 reasons why Christians believe
  criminals should be given the opportunity to
  repent and reform
• Many Christians also believe that punishment
  should be used to protect society and deter
  people from committing crimes explain the 4
  reasons for this belief.
• Copy and explain Matthew 71-2
• Copy the SUMMARY from pg 87
• All criminals should go to prison.
• Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion,
  showing you have
• considered another point of view. In your answer,
  you should refer to
• at least one religion.

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