Year 11 - Religious education
Different religious views about forgiveness
Religion, crime and punishment
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will study ideas of crime and how people may view crime is caused. From that, they will examine different ideas of punishing crime and treating criminals focussing especially on a case study of the death penalty and ideas of forgiveness.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain different Christian beliefs about forgiveness and evaluate how they are expressed.
Key Notes
- Forgiveness is central to Christianity and is closely linked to salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection.
- The Bible teaches that forgiveness should be unlimited and essential, for example in Matthew 18:22 and Matthew 6:14–15.
- Christian traditions practise forgiveness in different ways, such as through confession, reconciliation or worship.
- Many Christians support organisations like Caritas or restorative justice programmes.
- The stories of Gee Walker and Julie Nicholson show how Christians live out forgiveness in different, personal ways.
Vocabulary To Learn
- forgiveness: to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer
- reconciliation: making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement
- restorative justice: an approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing through dialogue and understanding
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Forgiveness comes naturally to all Christians because it is part of their faith.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Forgiveness is central to Christianity and is closely linked to salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection. The Bible teaches that forgiveness should be unlimited and essential, for example in Matthew 18:22 and Matthew 6:14–15.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'forgiveness'
to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Forgiveness comes naturally to all Christians because it is part of their faith. Correction: Christianity teaches that forgiveness is important, but not that it is easy. Julie Nicholson's story shows that even people of strong faith can struggle to forgive, especially after traumatic events. Forgiveness can be a long and difficult process.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different religious views about corporal punishment Study Guide
- Different religious views about the death penalty Study Guide
- Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty Study Guide
- Good and evil intentions Study Guide
- Opposition to an unjust law Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: greed and hate Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: mental illness and addiction Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: poverty and upbringing Study Guide
- The aims of punishment Study Guide
- The concept of forgiveness Study Guide
- The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment Study Guide
- The treatment of criminals: prison and community service Study Guide
- Views about different types of crime Study Guide
- Views about people who commit crime Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.