How many of these methods of execution can you name?

Can you remember the 6 aims of punishment? Which of these aims SUPPORTS capital punishment? Which of these aims would be broken if 3. you executed someone?

Saturday, 24 February 2018 The death penalty (capital punishment): A Christian and Sikh response. L.O. To understand teachings about the death penalty. I can explain arguments for and against the death penalty. I can explain Christian teachings for and against the death penalty. I can explain Christian and Sikh teachings for and against the death penalty using quotes and key words.

A penalty given to someone for a crime they have done wrong. Deliberate immoral action, breaking a religious or moral law. Pain or distress caused by illness, injury or loss. Suffering can be physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual.

Case Study: Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein: The president of Iraq from 1979-2003. He was hung on the 30 th December 2006. This was the first day of the Muslim Eid-Ul-Adha. Executing Saddam on this day is like executing someone on Christmas day in a Christian country.

Saddam was responsible for the torture and deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people. Victims of Saddam Hussein's poison gas attack on Halabja, March 1988

Kurds in Iran face death by government firing squads

Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by hanging. The former Iraqi leader was convicted of the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shiah town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on him in 1982. Saddam Hussein in court as the verdict was being read.

What arguments can you think of that support executions? Justice / Fairness. Revenge / Retribution The victims families may feel a sense of closure. There has to be an ultimate punishment for horrendous crimes. Acts as a DETERRENT. Saddam Hussein being prepared for his hanging. Life in prison costs 40,000 / year. He will never re-offend. Society is protected. In some countries Capital Punishment is LEGAL so VINDICATION would happen.

What arguments can you think of against executing people? No opportunity for REFORMATION / REPARATION & FORGIVENESS. Innocent people have be hung! Two wrongs don t make a right! This is state sanctioned murder! Sanctity of Life: we all have a spark of God Inhumane? Human rights are violated.

9am Wednesday 13 th July 1955

Ruth Ellis David Blakely & Ruth Ellis

Ruth Ellis was hung in July, 1955 after being found guilty of murdering her boyfriend. Ruth shot her boyfriend 5 times outside a public house in north London. The final shot was at point blank range.

You are the judge in Ruth s case. How would you punish her? Why? Mr Justice Havers Judge

We cannot have people shooting firearms in the streets.. People should be able to use the street without fear of the bullet. Gwilym Lloyd George Home Secretary

It is quite clear to me that I was not the person who shot him When I saw myself with the revolver I knew I was another person. Ruth s boyfriend, David Blakely was a violent and abusive partner, Ten days before the shooting he had punched a pregnant Ruth in the stomach, causing her to miscarry their baby. Ruth had been raped by her father as a child. Ruth was addicted to anti-depressants.

You are the judge in Ruth s case. In light of further evidence has your verdict altered? Why? Mr Justice Havers Judge

Do you think that losing her life was the right punishment for Ruth? What alternatives could you suggest?

Petition for clemency (forgiveness of a crime) 50,000 signatures were presented to the Home Secretary.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The one who has inflicted an injury must suffer the same injury Leviticus 24.20 Revenge Retribution

What might a Christian believe about forgiveness? The Lord s prayer asks us to forgive others because we are forgiven. Jesus was prepared to forgive his killers. Jesus forgives a woman caught in the act of adultery. (John Ch 8) 70 X 7 = UNLIMITED FORGIVENESS (Matthew Ch 18)

Sikh Attitudes Towards The Death Penalty. Sikh teaching is against the death penalty. Sikhs believe that only Waheguru has the right to take a life, unless all other ways of stopping injustice have failed. This does not include executing offenders. In addition, they believe that the death penalty is based on retribution and revenge, and these can never be justified. Also, it does not allow for offenders to reform and change. Even those who commit the most serious offences are part of God, and capable of being transformed. Sikhs believe that everyone has a part of Waheguru within them, the divine spark, so all life is sacred. Due to this belief many Sikhs practice ahimsa (not harming living things.) The death penalty implies that there are some crimes that are so bad that they cannot be forgiven, Sikhs believe that forgiveness is very important and all crimes can be forgiven. He alone has the Power in His Hands. He watches over all. Guru Granth Sahib 7 The Story of Sajjan Sajjan to all appearances was a good man. He welcomed Hindus and Muslims into his guesthouse, provided travellers with food and shelter, and built a temple and a Mosque for them. However, over time he became a thief and a murderer. If travellers who stayed with him were wealthy, he told his servants to kill them as they slept and steal their money and possessions. The bodies were hidden. While travelling through the area where Sajjan lived, Guru Nanak and his companions were invited to stay with Sajjin. When they went to their room for the night, Sajjin waited outside the door to check when they were asleep. However, rather than sleeping, Nanak and his companions spent much of the night singing hymns and praising Waheguru. Sajjin waited an listened and became transformed by God s word which was coming from Nanak s room. He eventually burst into the room and confessed, before promising to spend the rest of his life making up for his sins. He gave away all his wealth and spent the rest of his life serving Waheguru. Sajjan confessing to Guru Nanak

Can you summarise the arguments for and against the death penalty? On your tables write down 5 arguments FOR and 5 arguments AGAINST.

All murderers should be executed. Refer to both sides of the arguments and support using religious points of view. (15 marks) POINT EVIDENCE EXPLAIN ANALYSE GIVE YOUR OWN OPINION throughout the essay.

POINT EVIDENCE EXPLAIN ANALYSE All murderers should be executed. Some Conservative Christians would argue that all murderers should be executed because However, liberal Christians would argue that all murderers should not be executed because Your paragraphs should refer back to the question Add your own opinions throughout your essay!