OBJECTIVE…

To use Biblical quotes, a sorting exercise and

the skill of interpretation to

understand Christian attitudes to capital

punishment.

Grade CAll will be able to outline Christian arguments FOR

and AGAINST capital punishment.

Grade BMost will be able to explain

the meaning of Christian quotes relating to Capital

Punishment.

Grade A/A*Some will be able to evaluate

Christian arguments on Capital Punishment and

express an opinion on these.

Your GOALS for the end of

this lesson are…

OUTCOMES…

This picture was taken moments before he was executed for

murder.

Does anything surprise you?

What do you think this tells you?

Starter… This person is Reverend Paul Hill.He was executed in 2003 for the murder of Dr John Britton and his assistant James Barrett (he also

seriously injured Dr Britton's wife).

He killed them for carrying out abortions at a clinic in Florida. Hill knew that he would receive the

death penalty for their murder but felt no fear. He showed no remorse for his action and

expected to receive a heavenly reward.

Do you think he should have been executed for

his crime?

The death penalty was not a deterrent for him, does

this make the death penalty meaningless?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c6Cb8EHqhU

CXChristian attitudes to Capital Punishment…

There are two main attitudes to capital punishment among

Christians.

SOME Christians think capital punishment should be used in SERIOUS cases

where the guilt of the person is beyond doubt.

OTHER Christians think that capital punishment is

wrong as there are no situations when taking a life

is acceptable.

SOME Christians DO NOT SUPPORT the use of Capital Punishment…

Using your common sense what arguments do you think a Christian would use here?

If you are struggling use the picture clues to help you…

Add anything you are missing in GREEN PEN…

SOME Christians SUPPORT the use of Capital Punishment…

Using your common sense what arguments do you think a Christian would use here?

If you are struggling use the picture clues to help you…

Add anything you are missing in GREEN PEN…

Grade CAll will be

able to outline

Christian arguments FOR and AGAINST capital

punishment.

Did you achieveYOUR goals?…

OUTCOMES…

Christian attitudes to Capital Punishment…

Look at the Christian quotes and teachings carefully. Organise them into arguments FOR and AGAINST Capital

Punishment.

“...an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (exodus

21:24)

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis

9:6)

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing

authorities, for there is no authority except that which

God has established” (Romans 13:1)

“ Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13)

“ You have heard it 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 5:38)

‘ The sanctity of life’

“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)

“Let ye without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7))

‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged’. (Matthew 7:1)

Choose FOUR

quotes and EXPLAIN what the

meaning of each in

relation to Capital

Punishment.

This Old Testament

quote teaches that

the punishment should be

fitting of the crime so in

cases of murder the

death penalty is a

fitting punishment.

The Old Testament teaches capital

punishment should be used for those that take a life.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which

God has established” (Romans 13:1)

In the New Testament, St Paul teaches that Christians should accept and obey the laws and

punishments of the government of the country they are living in, which would mean accepting the

death penalty.

Jesus taught that revenge is

wrong – Capital

Punishment promotes the idea of revenge.

Only God has the right to give life

and take life away – Capital

Punishment is playing God.

Capital Punishment is not compatible with the overall

message of Christianity which is one of LOVE and

FORGIVENESS.

Only God has the right to judge and

condemn those that

sin.Jesus came to save and

reform people –

those executed cannot be reformed.

I never taught that the death penalty was

wrong!

Most Christian Churches have

spoken out against capital punishment.

Among those Christians that agree with capital

punishment, very few would agree with it for crimes

other than murder.

Exam practice time…

Complete page 94

Grade BMost will be

able to explain the meaning of Christian quotes

relating to Capital

Punishment.

Did you achieveYOUR goals?…

OUTCOMES…

The crucifixion of Jesus was a

Roman method of capital

punishment usually used for

the most dangerous criminals.

So Jesus was a capital

offender…

Should this make them more

supportive of the death penalty or

less?

Supportive because…

Jesus accepted his punishment.

His death was part of God’s plan.Jesus did not oppose capital punishment.Against it because…

Jesus died painfully.Jesus was innocent.

Jesus could have gone on to teach

more.

Would most Christians

view him as a martyr or murderer?

Would any Christians support his execution?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDM2e9a_E0E

Grade A/A*Some will be able

to evaluate Christian

arguments on Capital

Punishment and express an opinion on

these.

Did you achieveYOUR goals?…

OUTCOMES…

Draw a pyramid in the back of your books and spit it into 3...

What have you learnt today?

What have you been reminded of today?

Think of a question you would like

answering.

Plenary …