12.5 Religion & the Death Penalty (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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Define the death penalty (capital punishment).
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Cards in this collection (14)
Define the death penalty (capital punishment).
The state putting criminals who have committed the worst crimes to death as a punishment.
Define the principle of utility (utilitarianism).
An action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people — used to argue the death penalty protects the rest of society.
What are the purposes of the death penalty?
To punish the most severe crimes, bring justice to victims, act as a deterrent, and stop the person reoffending.
Give two ethical arguments against the death penalty.
It breaks the sanctity of life (only God can take life), it doesn't allow reformation, and there is a risk of error that can never be overturned.
Which Old Testament verse do some Christians use to support the death penalty?
Genesis 9:6: 'Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed'; also 'an eye for an eye' (Exodus 21:24).
Which teaching do Christians use to oppose the death penalty?
'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13), and Jesus' teaching to 'turn the other cheek' (Matthew 5:38-39) rather than 'an eye for an eye'.
Which Church leader has spoken out against the death penalty?
Pope Francis — among other Church leaders.
How does the Qur'an relate to the death penalty for certain crimes?
It supports the death penalty for 'crimes which are punishable by death' (Qur'an 5:32); Shari'ah law permits it for certain crimes such as adultery.
Give a Muslim argument against the death penalty.
The sanctity of life (only Allah should take a life); the Qur'an teaches those who show mercy will be rewarded (5:45); and scholars differ — there is no single unified view.
Define 'blood money' (in Islam).
Compensation paid to a victim's family that some Muslims allow to be received instead of imposing the death penalty.
The death penalty has not been used in the ______ since 1969.
The death penalty has not been used in the UK since 1969.
How do the sanctity of life and utility arguments differ on the death penalty?
Utility can support it (executing one to protect many); sanctity of life is used both ways — to support (a killer forfeits their life) and to oppose (only God can take life).
What do Muslims do in countries where the death penalty is outlawed?
They accept the law of the land; alternative punishments such as prison also protect society and allow the chance of reform.
True or False?
All Muslims share the same view on the death penalty.
False.
Muslim scholars differ — there is no single unified view; some support it as retribution, others favour mercy and compensation.
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