Unit 4

Prestatyn High School

Religious Studies

Unit 4

Good and Evil

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Crime and Punishment: Christianity

What makes an act ‘wrong’?

For Christians defining ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ or what is good and what is evil is linked to the

teachings of the Church, the teachings of the Bible (and especially of Jesus in the New

Testament) and the will of God.

When considering any act or action, it has to be asked whether it goes against the teachings

and principles of the faith. Any act or action that goes against the will of God can be defined

as ‘wrong’, eg murder is wrong as it goes against God’s commandment not to kill.

When it comes to decision making Christians will use a wide range of sources to help in their

choice including conscience, scripture and the accepted way that society behaves.

Conscience and Virtues

To become a morally good person the Christian Church teaches that individuals should

become virtuous. This means adopting virtues which allow the person to develop attitudes

and habits that result in good moral decisions being made. The virtues include faith, hope,

charity, courage etc.

Sin

Sin can be defined as going against the will of God. But sin and crime are not necessarily

always the same thing. Many acts that a religion might class as a sin would not be

considered a crime under law, eg abortion in the Christian Church’s eyes is a sin as it goes

against the will of God and what nature intended, however in the UK abortion is legal.

Causes of crime

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Crime can

• be caused by a person's free choice

• be caused by a person's environment, eg a broken home or failure at school could be a

catalyst for the change to becoming a criminal

• develop through being associated with other criminals

Some common causes of crime include poverty, mental health problems, addiction, peer

pressure and violence picked up through media, eg video games

What are the aims of punishment?

People are punished for a purpose. Often the aims of a punishment overlap, eg the death

penalty acts to deter people from committing similar crimes and it aims to protect the public

from the individual who is guilty of the crime. Here are the six recognised aims of

punishment:

• deterrence - punishment should put people off committing crime

• protection - punishment should protect society from the criminal and the criminal from

themselves

• reformation - punishment should reform the criminal

• retribution - punishment should make the criminal pay for what they have done wrong

• reparation - punishment should compensate the victim(s) of a crime

• vindication - the punishment makes sure that the law is respected

Question Explain the aim of deterrence punishment. A: Deterrence punishment tries to deter people. This means trying to put them off committing a crime. This has been one of the main purposes of the death penalty.

Type and aims of punishment

How are types and aims of punishment associated with each other?

Different methods are used to punish criminals for their offences. Each punishment is

associated with different aims.

Punishment How this meets an aim of punishment

Prison deterrence/protection/reformation

Electronic tagging deterrence/protection

Fines retribution/reparation

Community service reformation/retribution

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Punishment How this meets an aim of punishment

Capital punishment protection/deterrence

Probation reform/vindication

What does Christianity say about crime?

Christianity teaches that sin is a part of human nature and that all people have the potential

to commit a crime. This is shown in the story of the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis, when

they disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit.

Many Christians believe that the Bible teaches the difference between right and wrong.

Following God's will leads people to the right path, whereas ignoring God's will leads to

disaster.

A typical set of guidelines from the Bible is the Ten Commandments. Christians should

follow these guidelines to be good people.

What does Christianity say about how criminals should be treated?

Christians do not believe in taking revenge when they have been wronged. They believe that

they should forgive the sins of others, in the same way that they believe God forgives them

for their sins.

Christians look to the example of Jesus, who taught the importance of forgiveness:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

Christians believe in justice and therefore believe that criminals should be treated justly.

They follow the example of Jesus, who taught that Christians should reform sinners and not

be judgemental in their attitude:

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:3

As well as reform, some Christians would consider protection and deterrence to be important

aims of punishment. These help to ensure safety in society. They would also believe

criminals should be treated justly while in prison, and be given the opportunity to reform.

Some Christians consider Old Testament teachings to be as important as New Testament

teachings and therefore they may believe that retribution is an important aim of punishment.

They may think that criminals should be treated in a way that reflects the crime they have

committed.

But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Exodus 21:23-24

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This punishment is limited, eg it is only one eye for one eye. But it is also important to note

that Jesus also referred to this in his teaching:

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you…. if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Matthew 5:38-39

How do Christians respond to crime in society and those who commit crime?

Many Christians are concerned about the welfare of prisoners. They may campaign for

prison reform, visit prisoners, or vote for a political party that reflects their views on justice

equality.

Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:36) that people who

help those in prison will go to Heaven. This is because Jesus identifies himself with the

outcasts, including prisoners. Those who treat the outcasts well will have eternal life, which

means they will go to Heaven.

Prison reformers

Prison reformers set out to improve the prison system. Their aim is to create a fair and

humane justice system that not only punishes those who have committed crime, but also

helps with reform. The Prison Reform Trust works across the UK to try and initiate change.

Their main goals are to:

• reduce unnecessary imprisonment and promote community solutions to crime

• improve treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families

• promote equality and human rights in the justice system

Reoffending rates in the UK are high and reformers argue that the prison system does not

do enough to educate and train inmates so they do not reoffend.

Education is one of the key steps that reformers believe will help offenders. They also

believe that prison should only be used for those who should not be allowed into society as

they may cause harm to others. Other alternatives should be considered for those who do

not fall into this bracket.

Death penalty

The death penalty is the government-sanctioned killing of a human being as punishment for

the crimes that they have committed. The death penalty, also known as capital punishment,

is not legal in the UK, but is still legal in one third of countries, though not all still carry it out.

Christian views on the death penalty vary depending on how they interpret some of the

teachings in the Bible.

Christian arguments in favour of the death penalty

Some Christians argue that the death penalty helps to maintain order and protection in

society. They would say this because:

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• The Bible sets down the death penalty for some crimes, so it must be acceptable to God.

This is often seen as retribution.

• St Thomas Aquinas argued that peace in society was more important than reforming the

sinner. He reflects the Catholic Church's teaching that the protection of the whole of society

is more important than the individual.

Some literalist Christians agree with the death penalty because:

• the Old Testament teaches "an eye for an eye", which suggests that if someone takes a life

then they should have their life taken from them

• it shows the seriousness of the commandment "thou shalt not kill" and that murderers who

have taken a life themselves should be put to death as punishment

Christian arguments against the death penalty

Some Christians would argue that the death penalty can never be justified. They would say

this because:

• They believe Jesus Christ came to Earth to reform sinners, as he did with the woman

caught in adultery (“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”).

• Jesus amended the Old Testament teaching “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” when he told

his followers to “turn the other cheek”.

• Christians believe in the sanctity of life, that life is holy and belongs to God and therefore

only God has the power to take life.

• One of the Ten Commandments is "thou shalt not kill".

• There are many examples of forgiveness in the Bible and Jesus taught it is important to

forgive.

• Many Christians favour reform over execution as it gives the chance to change.

Quaker stance

Quakers are an example of a Christian denomination that totally opposes the death penalty.

They have campaigned against it and believe that all life should be respected. Quakers

believe that punishments should be used to reform.

Question : Describe the Christian views on the death penalty. A Most Christians believe that the death penalty is wrong. The main reason for this is because they have a strong belief in the sanctity of life. This is the idea that all human life is made by God and therefore is sacred. Christians also believe that God created life, therefore only God should have the ability and power to take it away, and that interfering with this is wrong. One of the Ten Commandments instructs Christians not to kill, so this would be another reason that they see the death penalty as wrong. In addition, some people may use the argument that innocent people have been put to death only for their names to be cleared years later after it's too late. If mistakes have happened before, then they can happen again. Some literal Christians will agree with the death penalty, as there are examples of people being given the death penalty in the Old Testament, which teaches "an eye for an eye".

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Forgiveness: Christianity

Christian teachings on forgiveness

Forgiveness is a very important teaching in Christianity. There are many accounts and

examples in the Bible which tell Christians about forgiveness. Christians are expected to

follow these teachings.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant tells the story of a servant who owed a king a lot of

money. The servant did not have the money to pay the king back, so he begged the king to

give him more time. The king took mercy on the servant and wrote off the debt so that the

servant did not have to repay the king.

The servant was also owed a small amount of money from a friend. After the servant had left

the king, he went and asked his friend for the small amount of money. His friend did not have

the money to repay him and begged him to give him more time. The servant refused and

threw his friend in jail.

The king got to hear about this and was very angry, as he had shown mercy on the servant.

The king felt that the servant should have shown mercy to his friend in the same way. The

king then threw the servant in jail until he had paid back the large amount of money that he

owed.

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer, in which Jesus taught about forgiveness, is one of the most important

prayers in Christianity. It is the responsibility of humanity to forgive sins, as Jesus gave the

disciples the commandment to go out, teach and forgive sins.

Question :Explain the Christian teachings on forgiveness. A Forgiveness is a very important teaching in Christianity. There are many examples of forgiveness in the Bible and Christians should try to follow these examples. The teaching of forgiveness can be seen in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant when the servant is forgiven for owing money, but he does not forgive another who owes him money. Forgiveness is also mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer when it states "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us". Christians believe that by forgiving others God will forgive them the sins they have committed. There are many Christians who follow these teachings, such as Martin Luther King Jr who believed that humans should always maintain the capacity to forgive.

Peace and conflict

All Christians aim to live a life of peace. This refers to living in the absence of disagreement.

Unfortunately, this is not always possible for different reasons. Despite the Christian

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teaching that people should try and live amongst others in a friendly way that shows

acceptance and respect, there may be times when this is impossible.

What is war?

War is an organised conflict usually consisting of intense violence carried out by one state or

states against another state or states.

What are the causes of conflict?

The causes of any war are complex. Wars are rarely about just one thing. They can be

declared when a state or states act to:

• attack or invade another state, to gain territory or resources

• resist such an attack or invasion by an aggressor

• protect another state from attack by an aggressor

• impose domination or political change on another state, or to resist such domination

• challenge a threat to 'essential national interests' by another state

• counter perceived threats from a different ideology, religion or ethnic group

• defend the national honour when under threat

Who or what are the casualties of conflict?

Estimated number of military and civilian fatalities in major UK conflicts since World War Two

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The main casualties of war include:

• servicemen and women who lose their lives or are injured

• civilians who lose their lives or are injured

• civilians who have their families, homes and way of life damaged or destroyed

• damage to the country's infrastructure, eg roads and bridges destroyed

• refugees who have to flee their country of birth to find safety

What is the role of the United Nations?

The United Nations was set up in 1945 after World War Two. It was designed to stop wars

between countries and provide a meeting place where countries could discuss their

problems and hopefully come to an agreement. The aim is to reduce the chance of wars

happening and to help resolve issues before a declaration of war is felt necessary.

What does Christianity teach about war and peace?

The Bible does not give Christians a clear answer about whether war is permitted or not, but

it has a lot to say about justice, the sanctity of life, the importance of resolving conflict and

working for peace.

Most Christians believe that war should be avoided if possible, and should only be

undertaken if all efforts to resolve an issue by peaceful means have failed. Many Christians

see war as the result of a failure to live by God's standards.

There are many promises in the Old Testament that war will come to an end in the perfect

Kingdom of God.

In Isaiah it states:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more .Isaiah 2:4

Christians are told by St Paul in Romans to support the state:

For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due. Romans 13:6-7

Most Christians think that fighting for your country is included among these 'dues'.

However, some Christians are pacifists and believe that war is never justified.

What do Christians say about justice?

Christians believe that justice comes from God and they should work for justice in whatever

situation they find themselves. They will often use Psalm 82 from the Old Testament to

justify this position:

Defend the rights of the poor and orphans; be fair to the needy and helpless. Rescue them from the power of evil men. Psalm 82

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How is the sanctity of life relevant to war?

Christians believe that God gave them life and that each human is made 'in the image of

God'. Christians therefore believe that life is sacred and should be protected. The Ten

Commandments forbid murder and in Matthew, Jesus tells his followers to:

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Some Christians believe that there are times when the only way to defeat injustice or defend

the idea of the sanctity of life is to declare war. Other Christians think that they should only

use peaceful and non-violent methods. Jesus told his disciples:

If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also .Matthew 5:39

Just before his arrest, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told his followers:

And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. Luke 22:36

This suggests that Jesus accepted the right to be able to defend yourself.

What is a Just War?

A Just War is a war which is declared for right and noble reasons and fought in a certain

way. A Just War is not a war that is ‘good’ as such – it is a war that Christians feel to be

necessary or 'just' in the circumstances, when all other solutions have been tried and have

failed. It is a necessary evil and a last resort.

Christianity is not a pacifist religion although there are pacifists in most Christian

denominations. Some Christian groups, eg the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),

oppose war in all circumstances.

Most Christians would support a war if it were justified by Just War standards.

What is the Just War theory?

The Just War theory was first developed by St Thomas Aquinas. The theory set out

conditions against which to judge whether or not a war should be waged and if it could be

justified, and how it should be fought.

The conditions for a Just War

• The war must have a just cause - eg against invasion, or for self-defence - and not to

acquire wealth or power.

• The war must be declared and controlled by a proper authority, eg the state or ruler.

• The war must be fought to promote good or avoid evil, with the aim of restoring peace and

justice after the war is over.

• The war must be a last resort when all peaceful solutions have been tried and failed, eg

negotiation.

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• The war should be fought with 'proportionality', with just enough force to achieve victory

and only against legitimate targets, ie civilians should be protected.

• The good which is achieved by the war must be greater than the evil which led to the war.

Why do some Christians support the principle of the Just War theory?

Sometimes war may be necessary and right, even though it may not be good. In the case of

a country that has been invaded by an occupying force, war may be the only way to restore

justice. Pope Benedict XVI said defending oneself and others is a duty.

When wars are fought to protect people it could be seen as an example of Jesus' teaching:

Love your neighbour as you love yourself Matthew 22:39

Righteous anger is sometimes justified, eg when Jesus was angry about the presence of

money lenders in the Temple. Righteous anger is about using one's anger in a way that is

thoughtful and controlled to bring about justice or to protect the weak.

What does pacifism mean in Christianity?

Pacifists reject all violence. They do not think that conflict should be dealt with by resorting to

war. They think that other peaceful methods should be used. Jesus said:

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God .Matthew 5:9

They also look to the example of Jesus' life for further reasons to be pacifists. When the

guards came to arrest Jesus he did not fight back and he commanded his disciples to allow

him to be taken. He told Peter to put away his sword because “those who take up the sward

die by the sword”.

Pacifists also use the teaching in the Ten Commandments, “do not kill” to justify their

position

Today there are pacifists in most Christian denominations. Some examples of pacifist groups

are the Mennonites, the Amish and the Society of Friends (Quakers).

Question: What do Christians mean by pacifism? A The word pacifism refers to the belief that war and violence are wrong in all circumstances. Quakers are an example of a pacifist Christian denomination.

Conscientious objectors

A conscientious objector is someone who refuses to participate in military service

due to religious or moral beliefs.

In countries where there may be mandatory conscription into the military, conscientious

objectors may be assigned to a civilian role instead e.g. a medic.

Question : Explain what a pacifist would say about war.

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A A pacifist would state that war is wrong, as a pacifist does not believe in violence in any situation. A pacifist would argue that all issues and conflicts can be ended through discussion and other peaceful methods such as peaceful protests. Christian pacifists may argue that Jesus did not fight back when he was arrested, so they should follow that example in their lives.

Society of Friends (Quakers)

This is a pacifist group with its roots in Christianity that has worked for peace since its

creation in the 17th century. Quakers usually refer to themselves as 'Friends' and they

believe that there is something sacred in everyone and that violence should always be

avoided.

Friends have historically refused to take part in wars. In World Wars One and Two, they

became conscientious objectors. In 1947, Friends in Britain and the US won the Nobel

Peace Prize for their work helping victims of conflict after World War Two. They provided

food aid and helped to rebuild areas that had been badly damaged in the War.

Some examples of the work that Friends do today include:

• campaigning and encouraging countries to get rid of nuclear weapons and other lethal

weapons

• training groups around the world in non-violent methods of conflict resolution

• protesting against wars and violent actions in their own countries

• sending volunteers to areas of conflict to support local peace activists

• keeping offices at the United Nations which brings different nations together to discuss

issues such as nuclear weapons and peace

Examples of personal forgiveness

With forgiveness being such an important Christian teaching, there are lots of examples of

Christians who have forgiven others as a result of their personal beliefs. Although this may

be an extremely difficult thing to do in many cases, such as the murder of a family member,

Christians will try their best to follow the teachings on forgiveness.

Gee and Dominique Walker

Anthony Walker was murdered at 18 years of age in a racially motivated attack in 2005.

Anthony came from a strong Christian family and despite his family being devastated by the

death of Anthony, both his mother and sister have publicly talked about how they have

forgiven his attackers. Their forgiveness of Anthony’s attackers is a result of their strong

Christian faith and beliefs on forgiveness.

Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King Jr was a Christian minister and he believed in peaceful protest without

using violence. His policy of non-violence led to his arrest 20 times, and he was personally

abused four times. He became a figurehead for not only black people in separatist America,

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but as a leader for human rights wherever there was injustice, locally, nationally, and

globally. He continued to follow the teaching of forgiveness, despite being arrested many

times while trying to fight to improve the lives of the black community.

Good, Evil and Suffering: Christianity

What is meant by good, evil and suffering?

The word good means different things to different people. Everyone interprets the word

differently, and what people consider to be good can also depend on their values, beliefs

and culture. Generally, the word good is used for things which are not evil or bad, such as

caring for others, helping others and showing compassion to others

Evil is a cause of human suffering. There are two types of evil:

• moral evil - the acts of humans which are considered to be morally wrong

• natural evil - natural disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis

These two types of evil can work together, eg human evil can make natural evil worse. If

natural evil, eg a drought brought on by lack of rainfall, causes crops to fail, the policies of a

government can make the food shortages for the poorest people worse (moral evil).

Suffering is the bearing or undergoing of pain or distress. Most people experience suffering

at some time in their life. Religions attempt to explain suffering, help people to cope with it

and learn from it. For some religious people, the fact that people suffer can raise difficult

questions about why God allows this to happen.

Some people say that God allows humans to make decisions for themselves and that

suffering is caused by the choices that people make.

Questions raised by the existence of evil and suffering in the world

• What does the presence of evil and suffering say about God's love, power and purpose?

• Is there a purpose to suffering?

• Is suffering the price humans pay for free will?

• How do different religions respond to evil and suffering?

• How do individuals respond to evil and suffering?

Christians believe that God gave humans free will. This means they are able to

choose whether to commit good or evil acts.

Origin of evil

Free will

Christians believe that God gave humans free will. This is the ability for humans to make

their own decisions. It means that although God made a world and it was good, it is up to

humans whether they choose to do good or bad deeds.

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What does Christianity say about the origin of evil?

Many Christians believe that evil is the result of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God. In the

Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. God punished Adam and Eve for

their actions, and the punishment was to endure suffering in life. This is known as 'the fall'.

Some Christians believe that all people inherited the tendency to sin from Adam and Eve.

This belief is called original sin. According to this belief, all humans are born with a tendency

towards evil and the ability to cause suffering.

Most Christians also believe that as well as a power for good (God) there is also a power for

evil. Christians refer to the power for evil as Satan or the Devil. Satan is traditionally thought

to have been an archangel who disobeyed God and so was thrown out of heaven.

Question :Describe the Christian beliefs in original sin. A The term original sin refers to the belief that sin entered the world when the first humans, Adam and Eve, ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. God found out that the fruit had been eaten and told Adam and Eve that they would now suffer as a result of this sin. Some Christians now believe that all humans are born with this original sin.

Augustine’s soul-deciding theodicy

Augustine believed that all humans were created perfect and that they were given free will.

However humans use that free will to turn away from God and choose to sin. God foretold

that this fall would happen and therefore sent his son, Jesus Christ, so that humanity may be

reconciled with God. Augustine’s theodicy bases the origin of evil and suffering on humanity

and takes that responsibility away from God.

Irenaeus’ soul-making theodicy

Irenaeus stated that God made humans imperfect and is therefore partly responsible for the

existence of evil. To make humans perfect would take away their freedom to live in

accordance with God’s will. By creating imperfect humans, individuals are given the chance

to develop and grow through a soul-making process into "children of God". Irenaeus stated

that eventually good will overcome evil and suffering. Suffering allows us to develop ‘second

order goods’ like courage and compassion – how do we know we are brave or caring if we

are not tested by suffering?

What does Christianity teach about evil and suffering?

Evil and suffering could make Christians question God's omnipotence, omnibenevolence, or

his omniscience. This is known as the Inconsistent Triad. For example:

• If God was all-powerful, wouldn't he stop natural disasters?

• If God was all-loving, wouldn't he stop suffering?

• If God was all-knowing, wouldn't he know that people were going to do something evil and

stop them?

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Christians may give one or more of the following answers:

• God has given people free will. He has shown people how they should obey the Ten

Commandments and follow Jesus' life and teaching. It is then up to human beings to

decide whether or not to follow God's instructions.

• God has a plan for people's lives that they may not always understand. This may include

evil and suffering but Christians should trust and have faith in God's plan.

• God wants people to follow the example of Jesus and help those who are suffering. God

must have a reason for allowing evil and suffering but the reason is beyond human

understanding.

• Christians also pray for those who suffer and try to help them.

• Evil and suffering in this life is a preparation for Heaven. Evil and suffering give people a

chance to become better people and improve their souls. They believe that God will reward

them in Heaven.

How do Christians respond to evil and suffering?

Christians should pray either that God will remove the causes of evil or that he should help

Christians to bear evil and suffering.

If a person has committed a moral evil, eg stealing, a Christian would not believe it their

place to judge, but they would trust that God would punish the person for his/her action.

Christians should follow Jesus' example in life. This means that they should help those who

are suffering, through their actions.

There are teachings which make it clear how Christians should respond to suffering and evil.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, in which Jesus returns to reward all those who

have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited those in prison, and cared for the sick,

teaches Christians to care for those who are suffering.

Jesus' message here is that by ignoring a sick or hungry person, a Christian would be

ignoring Jesus himself. Christians are also taught in the words of the Lord's Prayer to forgive

others just as they have been forgiven.

Christians also campaign and act to minimise the effects of natural evil, eg the impact of

earthquakes on those with poor quality housing.

Crime and Punishment: Hinduism

What does Hinduism say about crime?

Most Hindus believe that in order to achieve the higher spiritual goals, they must fulfil

dharma. This concept of justice is linked to the principles of karma and ahimsa.

Actions in this life will directly affect experiences in future existences. 'Bad' or negative

actions will lead to karmic debt.

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Committing crime is often against ahimsa and usually viewed as a 'bad' action, while

protecting those who are victims of crime is usually viewed as a 'good' action. Most Hindus

would agree that crime exists in the world because people have free will and some will not

always act justly or kindly.

Some Hindus would say such people have many 'lessons to learn' in terms of karma and

need to be reborn many times in order to attain moksha.

How do Hindus respond to crime in society and those who commit crime?

Many Hindus are concerned about the welfare of prisoners. They may campaign for prison

reform, visit prisoners, or vote for a political party that reflects their views on justice and

treating people equally.

Others may believe more strongly in the 'actions have consequences' interpretation of karma

and work towards better justice for victims of crime. They may believe, for example, that

longer prison sentences will deter more crime.

Other Hindus will have as their key principle the concept of criminals 'paying' for their crimes

through karmic debt, maybe in another life, and will focus more on exploring and alleviating

causes of crime.

What does Hinduism say about how criminals should be treated?

Mahatma Gandhi is an influential figure for many Hindus. He taught that humans should

always be treated fairly. He developed the idea of welfare for everyone. Many Hindus follow

Gandhi's ideals and believe that all atman make spiritual progress if they treat one another

justly. Criminals should face consequences for their wrong actions, but should also be given

the opportunity to reform.

Some Hindus value protection as an important aim of punishment, because their concern for

communities is such that they want people to remain safe.

The Death Penalty

Hindu arguments in favour of the death penalty

Some Hindus believe that the death penalty should be used in the case of convicted

murderers. They believe that the death penalty acts to deter criminals and protect society.

They have these views because:

• Hindu teachings state that the dharma of government is to protect the citizens and this is

best achieved through the death penalty

• many Hindus believe that the death penalty can form part of the belief in ahimsa as the

death penalty protects innocent people from criminal violence

• the Mahabharata and Ramayana both demonstrate that the death penalty should be used

against violent criminals

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Hindu arguments against the death penalty

Some Hindus do not believe that the death penalty should be used. They say this because:

• killing will cause them to gain bad merit or karma

• they follow the teachings of Gandhi and do not believe violence should ever be used

• karmic debt will ensure the criminal is suitably punished for the crime, so other humans

need not engage in killing either

Forgiveness: Hinduism

What does Hinduism teach about war and peace?

Opinion is divided amongst Hindus about war and the use of violence. On the one hand, the

Bhagavad Gita teaches that it is important to follow dharma. Therefore, it may be the duty of

some Hindus, particularly those whose varna (caste) is Kshatriya (warrior), to fight wars. The

Bhagavad Gita goes as far as to say it would be negative action not to fight in some cases,

for example in defence of the weak.

However, the motive must be defence, or to protect the innocent and not to gain land, power,

money or as an act of revenge or anger.

On the other hand, the principle of ahimsa (do not harm) is also important to most Hindus.

They may describe themselves as pacifists and so refuse to fight in a war. In addition, many

Hindus would agree that to kill or use violence is a bad action.

Different Hindus may have different beliefs, depending upon which teachings they follow

most closely.

Dharma

For many Hindus, following dharma is one of the four aims in life. Traditionally, dharma of

the Kshatriya varna was to protect people in their kingdom, using violence if necessary.

Other Hindu scriptures include the use of violence, killing by gods and goddesses to

overcome evil and defend what is good. The mother figure of Durga Mata is shown carrying

weapons and riding a tiger to show that when needed, she can fight like a tigress to protect

the innocent.

Some Hindus would say it is the duty of everyone, regardless of varna, to protect the

innocent as Durga does. If this means having to use force or fight, then that is a necessary

and therefore acceptable form of evil.

Ahimsa

Some Hindus believe that violence in any form is wrong and a bad action, whether it be

fighting in a war or harming a small living creature. Some Hindus follow Mahatma Gandhi's

teaching about war and violence:

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An eye for an eye and the whole worl will soon be blind. Mahatma Gandhi

Reincarnation

Lord Krishna also convinces Prince Arjun to fight in the Bhagavad Gita by explaining that an

atman can never be killed:

…atman is not killed when the body is killed… certain is death for the born and certain is birth for the dead, so you need not grieve. Bhagavad Gita

The belief that atman is indestructible means that ending a life to protect others or in defence

is acceptable for some Hindus. In addition to the teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, other

scriptures also highlight that death is just part of the cycle of reincarnation. Killing someone

is not ending the existence of that atman, just ending one lifetime of many.

What is a Just War?

There is clear teaching about acceptable motives, and practice, for wars in Hindu scripture.

The Rig Veda states that a warrior will go to Hell if he breaks any of these rules:

• do not poison the tip of your arrow

• do not attack the sick or old

• do not attack a child or a woman

• do not attack from behind

The Laws of Manu

The Laws of Manu refer to the right way to behave during wartime. Kshatriyas should fight

fairly and show honour, mercy and respect. They should fight according to the following

rules:

• only fight other soldiers

• do not hurt any women or children

• never attack people while they are sleeping

• never attack when the opposition has surrendered

The rules from the Laws of Manu and from the Rig Veda are very similar to conditions laid

out in the Christian Just War theory.

How do some Hindus help victims of war?

Many Hindus believe that helping people in need and working to alleviate suffering will build

good merit. They may also believe that helping others will elevate them spiritually and bring

them closer to Brahman.

Hindus may try to help victims of war in different ways:

• praying for them and peace in the world

• making donations to and raising funds for charities that work for peace and help war victims

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• volunteering to work for charities in the field, eg as doctors or aid workers

• educating people about peace, tolerance and conflict resolution

• joining peace groups

• providing emotional and spiritual support for victims of war, eg counselling or providing

practical support for victims of war, eg shelter, clothing and food for those made homeless

• opening a community mandir as a place where people can go to for food and shelter

• joining the diplomatic services or getting involved in politics to help deal with the causes of

war and therefore prevent more victims of war

• volunteering to help rebuild communities and countries after war, eg architects, builders,

priests, medical and emergency services, teachers, ICT specialists

What does pacifism mean in Hinduism?

For many, Hinduism is a religion which follows pacifist principles because there are clear

reasons to lead a non-violent lifestyle. In general many Hindus do not agree with violence

because:

• they believe in the concept of ahimsa

• good merit is built up by avoiding violence

• all living things are believed to have equal worth and should not be harmed

• rejection of violence can lead to world peace

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most famous Hindus in history. He firmly believed in ahimsa

and dedicated his life to achieving justice and harmony. Gandhi taught that he would rather

die himself than inflict violence onto another:

Non-violence should never be used as a shield for cowardice. It is a weapon for the brave .Mahatma Gandhi

Refusing to use any force, Gandhi achieved equality laws in India. He is a famous pacifist.

Some of the ways he fought without violence against injustice include:

• reporting injustices to the press, to make people aware of what was going on

• refusing to fight back if attacked by the authorities

• leading a salt march

• giving peace talks to millions of Hindus, inspiring them to join his peaceful protests

• being willing to go to prison for his beliefs

• starving himself in protest to stop fighting between Muslims and Hindus and to get himself

out of prison

• being willing to suffer physical beatings for his beliefs but not fighting back

Gandhi's work helped to achieve independence for India from the British Empire in 1947. It

was his belief in ahimsa that was the driving force of his work. These teachings gave him the

strength and bravery to seek justice without using violence of any kind:

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Ahimsa includes being willing to stand up for what is right no matter how alone you are in

that belief. Gandhi believed that if we keep hitting back in revenge, nobody wins in the end -

we will just destroy the world:

How does Hinduism work for peace?

Sewa UK is a Hindu charity that promotes peace. Although not set up as a peace

movement, the group encourages people from all backgrounds and beliefs to help with the

main task of helping those in need and gives help to all people regardless of their beliefs,

backgrounds or status.

The organisation works in areas which suffer from humanitarian disasters and tragedies by

mobilising technical assistance to relief operations and by investing in building infrastructure

and services in the aftermath of disasters.

Good, Evil and Suffering: Hinduism

What does Hinduism say about the origin of evil?

Most Hindus believe that God does not impose evil on people. Evil is a natural part of life - it

happens because of the law of karma.

Karma means 'action' and is understood as the law of cause and effect. Each time a person

does something, it has an effect. Good actions have good effects, bad actions have bad

effects. Hindus believe that thoughts also have effects. These accumulated effects make up

a person's merit.

What does Hinduism teach about evil and suffering?

'Evil' is the state when good is not present or ignored. It also refers to the necessary 'bad'

things required for cosmic balance.

Hindus believe in karma or 'intentional action'. Most Hindus believe that much of the

suffering they endure is a result of their own actions. Previous motives and actions need to

be made up for. Many would add that this is not about 'deserving' suffering, but about taking

the opportunity to learn from it. It is about not repeating mistakes.

The response of those around the sufferer should always be compassion and kindness,

otherwise they will suffer 'bad' karmic consequences themselves.

Sometimes things happen that do not seem to be the result of any action, eg natural

disasters. Some Hindus explain these events as a 'play of the gods', which is part of a

cosmic realm and beyond human understanding.

Others believe natural disasters are necessary for the balance of life on Earth. For example,

the fertile soil that results from volcano eruptions and flooding rivers may help to grow crops

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for food. There is also the potential for many atman to gain good merit in helping the victims

of natural disasters.

Some Hindus may also see certain natural disasters as the consequence of humanity's bad

actions in terms of its treatment of the planet.

How do Hindus respond to evil and suffering?

In response to natural evil the Bhagavad Gita encourages readers to 'detach from the world'

and appreciate that everything is just part of an eternal cycle. The role of humans is to do as

little harm and as much good as possible so that they may escape this cycle. Liberation from

rebirth is called moksha. Humans only suffer because they cannot accept how 'limited' their

existence is in the scheme of things.

Most Hindus believe that moral evil is caused by other people. They feel that Hindus should

act with kindness and non-violence to all living things, called ahimsa. This means treating all

living creatures and the planet with consideration and kindness, and never causing harm to

any being.

Those who deliberately hurt others or harm the Earth will face karmic consequences, but it is

the duty of everyone else to both challenge such people and help them to 'see the light'.

Mahatma Gandhi taught Hindus that it is their duty to help people who are suffering: