Year 11 - Religious education
Different religious views about the death penalty
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 views on the death penalty and show how they are supported by biblical teachings and ethical theories.
Key Notes
- Christians today believe the death penalty is wrong because life is sacred and all people have the potential to change
- Jesus challenges retribution with "Do not resist an evil person" (Matthew 5:38–39), promoting mercy over retribution
- Natural Law rejects the death penalty because it goes against the purpose of preserving life and helping people flourish
- Situation Ethics leads many Christians to oppose the death penalty
- Some Christians, like those in the Southern Baptist Convention, still support it, but this is a minority view
Vocabulary To Learn
- death penalty: capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state
- forgiveness: letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on
- justice: what is right and fair
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Most Christians support the death penalty because the Bible says "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth."
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Christians today believe the death penalty is wrong because life is sacred and all people have the potential to change. Jesus challenges retribution with "Do not resist an evil person" (Matthew 5:38–39), promoting mercy over retribution.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'death penalty'
capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Most Christians support the death penalty because the Bible says "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.". Correction: Most Christians reject the death penalty because they agree with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:38–39 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.".
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different religious views about corporal punishment Study Guide
- Different religious views about forgiveness 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.