What is deterrence?
- the prevention of an action
- punishment is severe enough to deter person from committing again eg imprisonment
What is retribution?
- people believe a person should pay for what they have done
- gives society and victims a feeling of justice
What is rehabilitation?
- punishment can be seen as an opportunity to reform offenders
- punishments discourage criminals and this can be achieved through education/training
What does the New Testament teach about forgiveness?
- Jesus said to Peter “forgive 77 times” - no limit to forgiveness
- parable of prodigal son reflects message
- Jesus placed on earth to reform sinners eg woman caught in adultery
- forgiveness is at the heart of gospels message
- Jesus asks for his murderers to be forgiven by god> his example
Why may Catholics agree with capital punishment?
- “Life for life, an eye for an eye” Exodus
- Jesus never taught directly that it was wrong
- protection of whole society is more important than the individual
- can be seen as a form of retribution
Why may Catholics disagree with capital punishment?
- upholds the commandment “thou shalt not kill”
- Jesus preaches forgiveness and says revenge is wrong
- not within a christians nature to commit such an act
- St Augustine said to seek other punishments
- “Death penalty is no longer justifiable” Pope Francis
Why might atheists/non religious people agree/disagree?
Agree-
- wrong to spend money on people in prison
- only retribution for murder is death penalty
- used to deter others in society
Against-
- premeditated murder which brutalises society
- wrong verdict&lack of evidence
- life imprisonment is a worser punishment
Why is forgiveness important to Catholics?
- “I believe in the forgiveness of sins” Apostles creed
- Resentment escalates to bitterness and hatred
- Jesus’ example, improves our relationship with God
What is the Paschal Candle?
Special candle used during Easter season
- significant symbol in the faith
- symbolises the fact Jesus’ resurrection was a triumph over his death
What are some of the symbols of the Paschal Candle?
- Cross-symbolises death and resurrection of Jesus
- 5 studs (grains of incense)-symbolises wounds Jesus suffered
- Year-reminds is Jesus’ death is still giving us the chance of salvation
- Light-represents light of Christ that shines in darkness
- Alpha&Omega-shows Christ is God and eternal
How can a person evangelise?
- Locally-by going to church and living out their faith
- Nationally-listening to Bishops and the pope
- Globally-through work of CAFOD helping the poor
Why is evangelisation important to Christians?
- at the heart of the faith
- shows our commitment to gospel
- Jesus died to save our sins (he died evangelising)>least we can do
- Christ demanded evangelisation
What do Catholics believe about Heaven?
- perfect life spent with most Holy trinity and Virgin Mary
- place of love and forgiveness
- reflects belief God is omnibenevolent and transcendent
- an eternal presence will be spent in the love and nurture of god
- aim of human life> fulfil God’s commandments
Why is the Eucharist important for Catholics?
- major sacrament in Catholicism
- Catholics are sustained in their faith
- grateful for sacrifice of Jesus who enabled salvation
- brings community together as the body of Christ
- a “sacred meal”
What happens during the Eucharist?
-transubstantiation is where the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ
{physical re-enactment of Jesus’ last supper>sharing of God’s grace and gifts}
What do Catholics believe about purgatory?
- temporary period of purifying punishment so we can fully witness God’s grace and love
- ‘waiting room’ until soul is cleansed through prayers
- ‘final purification’ necessary
- chance to repent and be cleansed as nothing impure can enter gods presence
How do Catholics believe they can go from purgatory to Heaven?
- saying the ‘eternal rest’ so souls can ascend to heaven
- if they attend mass on All Souls’ Day that souls will be released into heaven
What do Catholics believe about Hell?
- connotations of pain & suffering should deter people from sinning
- retribution for ones sins
- a state of eternal damnation in absence of God’s presence
- parables of Lazarus&rich man prove is down to us where we end up
- when people deliberately reject God’s grace
How is the Magisterium the most important source of authority to Catholics?
- pope&bishops have most authority as they are holy men who are in direct succession of Jesus
- pope is infallible and can’t be wrong as he is speaking on behalf of God in some issues
- Catholics should accept what they say
Why might conscience have more authority?
- it is the ultimate moral authority and Catholics should follow their conscience
- a personal, considered judgement may be a better one
- God gave Adam and Eve free will before anything else
- Allows us to shun evil temptations and make more appropriate choices
- where we encounter the living God
What do Catholics believe about Euthanasia?
- upholds commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’ (premeditated murder)
- immoral sin
- all life is sacred & belongs to God > sanctity of life
- God should be involved in our deaths intimately just as he was in our births
- human life should be protected and preserved
- better alternatives eg palliative care
What do Christians believe about Euthanasia?
- “love your neighbour as yourself”
- Christian duty to remove pain & suffering > stewards of God
- should be able to die with dignity and in control
- Jesus removed suffering eg cured man with leprosy
- golden rule ‘do as you would be done by’
- compassionate, loving act sometimes
