Crime and Punishment

Christian and Buddhist ethics

Introduction• Remember that Kantian and Utilitarian approaches can

(and are) used by people who hold religious beliefs. You may find that as we learn about Christian and Buddhist viewpoints you will see elements of Kantian and Utilitarian philosophy.

• Generally speaking: Christians are split in their response to the issues surrounding Crime and Punishment due to interpretation of Biblical teachings; whereas Buddhists have a more defined moral stance.

Learning intentionsAfter today’s lesson you will be able to:

• Consider the relationship between Christian and Buddhist ethics and Crime and Punishment.

• Apply Christian and Buddhist ethics to moral issues found in Crime and Punishment.

• (Hopefully) see some aspects of Kantian and/or Utilitarian approaches within Christian and Buddhist viewpoints.

Crime and PunishmentThe Christian views

It would be wrong to assume that ‘all’ Christians (or for that matter any group) will react to issues relating to Crime and Punishment in the same way. However, it is clear that there remains a divide in Christian support for capital punishment and other punishment related issues. So much of this depends on a Christians tradition, community and interpretation of the Bible.

• Christians would be wary of punishing for the purpose of deterrence as this may lead to people being used as scapegoats.

• A central idea in Christianity is that the strong should protect the weak.

• Christians would support reformation because they believe everyone can change for the better.

Christians in favour of Capital Punishment• Many Christians (an example being those of the South US) would argue that

capital punishment is the best way to protect and deter.

• There are parts of the Bible (OT mostly) that clearly advocate the use of capital punishment and therefore it is allowed by God.

• The Roman Catholic Church, for example, have not retracted statements which permit the use of capital punishment.

• The Christian church itself has used capital punishment as a punishment since the Bible was compiled. Heresy (holding beliefs that differ from the church) was and in some cases still is punishable by death e.g. Witch hunts.

• Using this argument, how can capital punishment be un-Christian?

• Christian thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas argued that the peace of society is more important than the reform of the sinner.

Useful Biblical quotes (FOR)

• Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand...

Exodus 21:24

BRIDGE ARGUMENT

• If a man hates his neighbour and lies in wait for him, assaults and kills him and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of his town shall send for him, bring him back from the city and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. Show him no pity.

Deuteronomy 19:11-12

Christians in favour of Capital Punishment

• Despite the arguments mentioned, many Christians feel capital punishment is unjustified.

• It is impossible to reform a sinner when they are dead.

• Many Christians will point to stories of Jesus in the Bible and look to his example when making a decision on capital punishment. There are times where he expressly condemns the use of capital punishment e.g. ‘He who has not sinned may cast the first stone.’

• The teachings of the Old Testament should be replaced with those from the New Testament.

• Life is sacred- only God has the right to decide to end a life (though this could go the other way). BRIDGE ARGUMENT

• Today, most churches condemn the use of capital punishment. They believe the teachings of Jesus rule out revenge as a possible motive.

Useful Biblical quotes (AGAINST)

• Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the sight of everybody…Do not take revenge, my friends, be leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is mine to revenge, I will repay.”

Romans 12:17-19

• You have heard that is was said , “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” But I tell you . Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:3-8BRIDGE ARGUMENT

OK SO FAR?

Crime and PunishmentBuddhist view• For Buddhists the fundamental reason for all suffering is ignorance (including

suffering resulting in, or caused by, crime). For Buddhists we should be encouraging the person to detach from the attractions of material goods – to stop the craving and wanting.

• Buddhists are not against punishment, in principle, in the form of fines, community service and prison as long as there is the chance of reform and the indivudual and society are protected.

• Punishment may act as a deterrent which will in turn protect criminals from creating further bad kamma for themselves.

• We should be helping offenders to work towards generating positive kamma. All beings are equally worthy of comparison – all wish to be happy. For this reason Buddhists do not agree with punishment that inflicts further unnecessary suffering.

Buddhist view continued…• Buddhists aim to keep 5 Precepts which are guidelines for living a skilful

life. The first of the 5 Precepts Buddhists are expected to keep is: to abstain from taking life.

• Ahimsa or non-violence is a principle that means that all life should be treasured. All sentient beings are fundamentally good and all life is important and has the potential to attain enlightenment.

• Buddhists hold a strong position against Capital Punishment. Any violence leads to bad kamma for all, the results of which may be seen in a next life.

• Executed criminals are not given the chance to reform and learn from their mistakes.

• With any revenge or retaliation, the intention behind the action is to harm and this therefore incurs negative kammic consequences. This goes against the Buddhist teachings of compassion (karuna).

Crime and PunishmentBuddhist quotes from scripture

In the Dhammapada Buddha said:

If a man does something wrong, let him not do it again andagain. Let him not find pleasure in his sin. Painful is theaccumulation of wrongdoings.

Dh. 117

Who hurts not any living being, whether feeble or strong, Who neither kills nor causes to kill – him I call a Brahmin.

Dh. 405

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

a) ‘Capital punishment can never be tolerated’. Discuss religious responses to this statement.

8AE

Learning check…Crime and Punishment