Case study of the death penalty in Croydon

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Case study of the death penalty in Croydon from 1953 In 1952 18 year

Case study of the death penalty in Croydon from 1953 In 1952 18 year old Derek Bentley and 17 year old Christopher Craig were involved in an attempted robbery. Bentley, who had suffered two serious head injuries as a child, had low intelligence and was illiterate. It is thought his mental age was lower than that of Craig. Derek Bentley Craig had a gun and when confronted by police officers he fired the gun and fatally wounded one police officer. Before Craig fired the gun Derek Bentley was heard saying to him ‘LET HIM HAVE IT, CHRIS’. 19 year old Derek Bentley (the man with no gun) was old enough to be sentenced to be hanged due to ‘joint enterprise’ (being as guilty as the person who pulled the trigger / used for gangs for example). Christopher Craig (who fired the gun) was under 18 so he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Do you agree with the punishment each man received?

Death Penalty (Capital Punishment ) • I can explain arguments for and against the

Death Penalty (Capital Punishment ) • I can explain arguments for and against the death penalty • I can evaluate ethical arguments related to the death penalty, including those based on the principle of utility and sanctity of life

Death penalty debate What arguments are presented for and against the death penalty? What

Death penalty debate What arguments are presented for and against the death penalty? What other arguments can you think of? FOR CP http: //www. truetube. co. uk/film/death-penalty-debate http: //www. truetube. co. uk/film/jesus-capital-punishment AGAINST CP

Death penalty debate FOR capital punishment AGAINST capital punishment Deterrence – puts others off

Death penalty debate FOR capital punishment AGAINST capital punishment Deterrence – puts others off May be wrongly accused e. g. Troy Davis Makes society safer Doesn’t actually deter people e. g. the US Makes the victim / their family feel better Justice for murder: ‘an eye for an eye’ The death penalty is used in the Bible: "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed state of Louisiana has the death penalty and also the highest murder rate Makes the executioner as bad as the murderer The sanctity of life: life is sacred and only God can take it away Against the First Precept (do not harm others) and Right Action

Death Penalty (Capital Punishment ) • I can explain arguments for and against the

Death Penalty (Capital Punishment ) • I can explain arguments for and against the death penalty • I can evaluate ethical arguments related to the death penalty, including those based on the principle of utility and sanctity of life

Ethical arguments The principle of utility is the idea that the right action is

Ethical arguments The principle of utility is the idea that the right action is the one that leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Do you think this principle supports capital punishment? Consider: • The murderer • The victim’s family • Society in general (Is it safer? Does it make a difference to tax payers? The sanctity of life is the idea that life is holy and only God can take it away. Do you agree that this should always be the case?

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams Use the information to decide whether Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams should receive

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams Use the information to decide whether Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams should receive the death penalty.

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams Was the co-founder of the Los Angeles Crips gang. In 1981

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams Was the co-founder of the Los Angeles Crips gang. In 1981 he was convicted of murdering four people during two robberies and sentenced to death row. Whilst on death row he: • Wrote 9 children's books that educate children to avoid gangs and crime • Set up an international mentoring project • Wrote the Tookie Protocol about how communities can create peace • Saved the lives of over 150, 000 youths who were preparing to join gangs or got out of a gang • Was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 5 times • Was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature 4 times • Received a 2005 Presidential Call to Service award from George Bush Many people fought for Clemency ( a request for mercy) for Stanley Williams. These included civil rights activists, religious leaders, politicians and celebrities. They argued that Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams had reformed whilst in jail and the work that he did should have saved him form the death penalty. However there were also many people, including the victims families, who felt that he had committed the crimes, was sentenced to death and that it was right for him to be executed. Mr. Schwarzenegger wrote "Without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption. In this case, the one thing that would be the clearest indication of complete remorse and full redemption is the one thing Williams will not do. "

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams On 13 th December 2005, Stanley Williams was executed by lethal

Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams On 13 th December 2005, Stanley Williams was executed by lethal injection. a) Do you agree with the decision to execute him? b) How might a Christian and a Buddhist respond? c) Does the principle of utility support his execution? Hours before his execution he said “I just stand strong and continue to tell you, your audience, and the world that I am innocent and, yes, I have been a wretched person, but I have redeemed myself. ”

Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about using the death penalty for

Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about using the death penalty for murder. In your answer, you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious tradition. (4)

Explain two religious beliefs about the death penalty. Refer to scripture of sacred writings

Explain two religious beliefs about the death penalty. Refer to scripture of sacred writings in your answer. (5)

Who suffers? Is the suffering experienced physical, mental or both? 1. A bomb blast

Who suffers? Is the suffering experienced physical, mental or both? 1. A bomb blast in a major city 2. An old person having their purse stolen 3. A young child being abducted 4. A house being broken into Challenges… a) Does the number of victims make the suffering worse? b) Is physical suffering worse than mental suffering? c) Should a criminal who makes many people suffer be dealt with more harshly than one whose crime involves only one person?

Attitudes to suffering • I can describe how different types of crime lead to

Attitudes to suffering • I can describe how different types of crime lead to suffering • I can explain Christian attitudes to suffering • I can evaluate the claim that it is sometimes good to cause suffering

Charleston church shooting 2015 1. What Christians attitudes to shooting are shown in this

Charleston church shooting 2015 1. What Christians attitudes to shooting are shown in this report? 2. Why would some people in this situation stop believing in God? 3. Why do these women keep their faith?

Christian attitudes to suffering p. 150 -151 1. When they see people suffering, Christians

Christian attitudes to suffering p. 150 -151 1. When they see people suffering, Christians should try to help others because this is what Jesus did and taught. 2. Most Christians are opposed to causing suffering because Jesus taught that humans should love and care for each other. ‘Turn the other cheek’ is one of Jesus’ teachings against retaliation since this would cause more suffering. 3. If they cause suffering, Christians should aim to repair the damage and mend relationships. 4. According to the Bible, good may come out of suffering. For example suffering can make us stronger as people and from this we learn to have hope when faced with suffering.

Attitudes to suffering • I can describe how different types of crime lead to

Attitudes to suffering • I can describe how different types of crime lead to suffering • I can explain Christian attitudes to suffering • I can evaluate the claim that it is sometimes good to cause suffering

‘It is sometimes good to cause suffering. ’ Agree • Punishment involves suffering –

‘It is sometimes good to cause suffering. ’ Agree • Punishment involves suffering – this is justice & keeps communities safe – the greater good • Suffering may be caused in selfdefence - the lesser of two evils • Suffering can be done for a good reason (a child may get upset when they are forbidden from eating sweets) Disagree • Hurting others goes against Jesus’ command to ‘love thy neighbour’ • Causing suffering can have longterm negative effects (both physical and mental) • Criminals should be helped to reform, not suffer

Forgiveness • I can explain Christian and Buddhist attitudes to forgiveness • I can

Forgiveness • I can explain Christian and Buddhist attitudes to forgiveness • I can evaluate the claim that religious people should always forgive others

Case Study: Anthony Walker In 2005 a sixth former from Liverpool called Anthony Walker

Case Study: Anthony Walker In 2005 a sixth former from Liverpool called Anthony Walker was killed with an ice axe in a racially motivated attack. His killers, Paul Taylor, 20, and Michael Barton, 17, killed Anthony simply because of the colour of his skin. 1. What are the benefits of forgiveness? 2. What does this show us about Christian attitudes?

Jesus answered, "I tell you, forgive not seven times, but forgive seventy times seven.

Jesus answered, "I tell you, forgive not seven times, but forgive seventy times seven. ” “If you forgive others your heavenly father will forgive you. ” How did these teachings help the Walker family? Write them out and try and make connections to the case study.

Buddhism also teaches forgiveness: • Buddhists are pacifists; don’t create more suffering • Dalai

Buddhism also teaches forgiveness: • Buddhists are pacifists; don’t create more suffering • Dalai Lama – Peace can exist if we respect all others ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. ’ Many Christians forgive because: • Jesus said ‘love your neighbour’ • ‘love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ • Forgive 70 x 7 • If you forgive others, God will forgive you • hatred is one of the 3 poisons Exam Question Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British Religious attitudes to society about forgiveness. In your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more forgiveness other religious traditions. (4) However for some Christians ‘an eye for an eye’ means retribution over forgiveness. Some things may be unforgivable e. g. murder of a family member – causes hurt and goes against Bible teachings.

‘Religious people should always forgive others. ’ (12) • Many Christians / Buddhists would

‘Religious people should always forgive others. ’ (12) • Many Christians / Buddhists would agree with this because… • However, some Christians would disagree because… • Other people may disagree because… • After considering both sides, I agree / disagree because…