12.1 Religion & Crime (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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Define crime.
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Cards in this collection (42)
Define crime.
Any action which breaks the law and is punishable by law.
Define punishment.
Something done to someone who has been found guilty of breaking the law.
What is the most serious punishment in the UK, and what two punishments are banned?
Life imprisonment is the most serious; the UK cannot impose corporal punishment (physical harm) or the death penalty.
Define an evil action.
An action that causes suffering or death — often against the law (e.g. murder, terrorism), though believers may also call some legal actions evil.
What is the difference between intention and action?
Sometimes an intention is good but the action is bad — e.g. telling a lie to spare a friend's feelings; the intention is kind but the act of lying is bad.
Do Christians believe there is such a thing as a purely evil person?
No — everyone is made in the image of God; humans make mistakes because of original sin, and truly evil acts are thought to stem from psychological illness.
Which teaching shows Christians that evil comes from within?
Mark 7:20-23: 'from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come' — so Christians emphasise the intention behind actions.
Why should Christians do good actions for the right reasons?
God 'sees what is done in secret' and will reward them (Matthew 6:3-5) — good should be done to help others, not to seek glory or praise.
Define Iblis.
In Islam, the jinn who was cursed for refusing to bow to Adam and became Satan, tempting humans to do wrong rather than follow Allah.
What does the Hadith teach about intentions (niyyah)?
'All actions are judged by motives, and each person will be rewarded according to their intention' — Allah considers both intentions and actions on the Day of Judgement.
According to the Hadith, what happens if a Muslim intends a good deed but doesn't do it?
Allah records it as one complete good deed; if he does it, it is recorded as ten (up to 700+) good deeds.
Define halal and haram (of actions).
Halal = permitted/good actions; haram = forbidden/evil actions — Muslims aim to do halal and avoid haram to gain Paradise (Al-Jannah).
Both Christians and Muslims believe humans are not intrinsically evil because everyone is made in the ______ of God.
Both Christians and Muslims believe humans are not intrinsically evil because everyone is made in the image of God.
How is intention treated differently in UK law and Shari'ah law?
UK law considers intention when deciding a sentence; in Shari'ah law, intentions are so important that serious thoughts of a crime can be as serious as committing it.
True or False?
An action must be illegal for Christians or Muslims to consider it wrong.
False.
Both may regard some legal actions (e.g. adultery) as wrong, and some good actions (e.g. giving to charity) are not required by any law.
Define crime.
An action which breaks the law of the state — seen by religious people as an act of sin.
Name four reasons why people commit crime.
Poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, hate, and opposition to an unjust law.
Define addiction (as a reason for crime).
Being dependent on a substance; addicts often can't stop without help, and may steal to pay for the substance, or commit crimes like drink-driving.
How can 'opposition to an unjust law' be a reason for crime?
People break laws they believe unjust to stand up for what is right — e.g. Rosa Parks breaking segregation laws in 1955.
Why is crime unacceptable to Christians?
God wants humans to care for each other — the Golden Rule 'Love your neighbour as yourself' (Mark 12:31); crime sees others as less important.
How do Christians respond if poverty is a cause of crime?
They see it as their duty to reduce injustice — donating to charity, helping at food banks — and to educate people about why crime is wrong.
Which teaching do Christians use to justify sympathy for those who break unjust laws?
Peter's words: 'We must obey God rather than human beings!' (Acts 5:29) — though any protest must be peaceful.
How do Muslims respond if poverty is a cause of crime?
They see it as their duty to support the poor through Zakah, voluntary charity and charity work, and to show empathy through Sawm (fasting).
How does Islam's view on alcohol and drugs relate to crime?
Muslims consider alcohol and illegal drugs haram, hoping this reduces addiction — a cause of crime — in the first place.
What does Qur'an 102:1-2 warn about greed?
'Competing for more distracts you until you go to your grave' — greed is unacceptable as a cause of crime and should be avoided.
For both faiths, the causes of crime can often be overcome through ______, teaching tolerance, peace and living in harmony.
For both faiths, the causes of crime can often be overcome through education, teaching tolerance, peace and living in harmony.
Which Muslim campaigner opposed unjust laws in the US Civil Rights movement?
Malcolm X — who campaigned for equality for black people; many Muslims believe change must come via peaceful methods.
True or False?
Christians and Muslims believe poverty justifies committing crime.
False.
Neither sees poverty as justifying crime, but both work to reduce the injustice that leads people to it.
Why do Christians believe laws should be respected?
They believe God put governments in place to keep order: 'there is no authority except that which God has established' (Romans 13:1).
What should Christian punishment of offenders aim to do?
Respect the offender's dignity and rights, and aim to rehabilitate them so they can contribute positively and not re-offend.
What does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats teach about prisoners?
'I was in prison and you came to visit me' (Matthew 25:34-36) — visiting a prisoner is helping Jesus himself.
Why do Muslims believe crime is wrong?
Allah commands justice, so crime is against Allah's wishes and a distraction from following Allah; all humans were created equal.
Define Shari'ah law.
Islam's clear religious law, the basis for state law in some Islamic countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia); in the UK, Shari'ah councils guide Muslims but state law takes priority.
What are the four categories of crime in Shari'ah law?
Hadud (unforgivable), Al-Jynayaat (forgivable, against an individual), Al-Ta'azir (community crimes), and Al-Mukhalafat (crimes against state law).
Define a hate crime.
A crime that targets people because of their race, gender, sexuality, religion or disability, often involving violence or aggression.
Why do Christians condemn hate crime?
Everyone is created equal and in the image of God (Genesis 1:27); hate crime breaks 'Love your neighbour' — and St John said 'Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer' (1 John 3:15).
What is the Christian attitude to murder?
It is condemned — 'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13); life is sacred and God-given, and only God has the right to take it.
How is theft viewed in Christianity compared with murder?
Theft is forbidden ('You shall not steal', Exodus 20:15) but seen as less serious than murder; it may stem from addiction or poverty needing help, yet still needs punishment.
What does the Qur'an command as punishment for theft?
'Cut off the hands of thieves... as punishment... a deterrent from God' (Qur'an 5:38).
The Qur'an condemns murder: 'Whoever kills a soul … it is as if he had slain ______ entirely' (Qur'an 5:32).
The Qur'an condemns murder: 'Whoever kills a soul … it is as if he had slain mankind entirely' (Qur'an 5:32).
What should Muslims do if theft is caused by poverty?
It is not justified, but Muslims should work to build a fairer society where theft is not considered necessary.
True or False?
Most religious believers think crime can often be justified.
False.
Most religious believers say crime is hardly ever justified, no matter what reason is given.
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