EPQ draft

There are 6 aims of punishment being; Retribution, Detterrence, protection, reformation and vindication. Retribution is the concept of 'taking revenge', There is an established philosophy that suggests 'an eye for an eye', ultimately suggesting a punishment fit for the committed crime. The old Testiment law of Talion taught this philosophy, however was contradcited when Jesus goes on to tell his disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them rather than seeking revenge for wrongs done against them. Retribution therefore is not consistent with Christian discipleship. (ttp://www.ndre.co.uk/aims_of_punishment.htm#Retribution) The theory suggests if you take someones life, the idea of retribution would be that you ultimately owe that person a life, therefore yours would be taken from you. In theory this philosophy seems fair and applicable, but what about the effect on those authorising and permitting the criminals death, wouldnt this be contracdictorary as you are ultimately committing the crime of what the criminal is being executed for-Murder. If we look at Bernard Williams analogy of Jim in the Indians, "I could no nothing and let 20 Indians die or I could kill 1 and save 19, but what about the effect on my character? This is ultimately suggesting it would be within the greater good to kill this person to provide justice and safety to the others, however, what about the effect of character on the person administrating thier death. Detterence is the idea of putting criminals off re-offending for fear of the consequences, For example with the death penalty in place, this may act as a detterent for other criminals whom have considered murder. This view is consistent with Christian teaching as long as the deterrent is proportionate to the crime. According to Albert Peirrepoint quoted by Amnesty International. I do not believe that any one of the hundreds of executions I carried out has in any way acted as a detterrent against future murder. Capital punishment in my view achieved nothing except revenge." (a punishment to fit the crime, Franklin Watts, pg.21)There is also the open letter to Amnesty International to US president Clinton, 1994 "...death sentences in the USA are imposed disproportionately on the poor; on members of ethnic minorities, on the mentally ill or retarded, and on those without adequate legal counsel." (a punishment to fit the crime, Franklin Watts, pg.21)To further this argument, many people do not think about the consequences of their actionsbefore committing a crime, it is simply out of an act of passion or angerm therefore, the idea of capital punishment as a deterrent act would not process in a criminals mind during the act of murder. The aim of protection is the idea that society is protected from the activities of criminals, this can consist of either prison or capital punishment. This idea of 'protection' is compatible with Christan teachings however, when it concerns the issue of the death penalty there is often contraversy within the Christian belief. The idea of protection is ultimately the strongest support for capital punishment as it enables the victims security and safeness from thier offender, however, what about those who forgive thier offender. If we look at the case of Anthony walker whom was brutally murdered in a racially motivated attack, his mother, a believer in Christianity, chose to forgive her sons murderer, therefore, she would be in opposition to the death penalty as she would have no moer resentment or bitterness towards her sons killer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/a-mothers-forgiveness-for-her-sons-killers/439.html also, Christianity teaches "to err is human, to forgive, divine." Alexander Pope (http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Forgiveness-Quotes/) Reformation is the concept that imprisonment can allow criminals to reform into law abiding citizens. This view is consistent with Christianity as thier views of repentance for ones sins. If we look at the study of Saul to Paul. Saul had a near death experience which