Should criminals be forgiven, and is the death penalty ever right?
Religious teachings on forgiveness and the treatment of criminals, and attitudes for and against capital punishment in Christianity and Islam.
A focused answer on forgiveness and capital punishment for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering forgiveness, the treatment of criminals and the death penalty debate.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain religious teachings on forgiveness and the treatment of criminals, and the arguments for and against capital punishment in Christianity and Islam. Show a range of views, and distinguish forgiving the offender from cancelling justice.
Forgiveness and the treatment of criminals
Jesus modelled radical forgiveness, even praying "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34) as he was crucified, and taught his followers to forgive repeatedly. Islam stresses Allah's mercy (he is al-Rahman, the Compassionate) and praises those who pardon others, while still upholding justice. Importantly, forgiveness does not mean ignoring crime: believers can forgive the offender as a person while still supporting fair punishment, so mercy and justice are held together.
Arguments about capital punishment
Religious attitudes
Views differ within and between the faiths. Some Christians and Muslims accept capital punishment for the most serious crimes, especially where scripture appears to permit it. Many Christians, including the Catholic Church (which now teaches the death penalty is inadmissible), oppose it, stressing the sanctity of life, the priority of reform, and Jesus' message of mercy. In Islam, the death penalty is permitted for certain grave crimes under strict legal conditions, but mercy, forgiveness and the acceptance of compensation (diya) are strongly encouraged, so many Muslims hope it is rarely used. Because both for and against arguments are well grounded in teaching, this is a common evaluation topic.
For the exam, keep forgiveness and justice as two things that can go together rather than opposites. Believers can forgive an offender personally, releasing their own resentment, while still supporting fair punishment by the state, so a strong answer rejects the false choice between "forgive" and "punish". On the death penalty, organise the debate using the arguments for (justice, deterrence, protection) and against (sanctity of life, the risk of executing the innocent, the loss of any chance to reform). Link this dot point to abortion and euthanasia, since all three rest on the sanctity of life, and to the aims of punishment, since opposing the death penalty often goes with favouring reformation. A nuanced conclusion notes the genuine range of religious views and distinguishes what scripture appears to permit from what believers today think is right.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20182 marksWhat is capital punishment?Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 definition question. Capital punishment is the death penalty: the execution of a person as a punishment for a serious crime. One mark for the death penalty, the second for as punishment for serious crime. Keep it precise; do not confuse it with corporal punishment (physical pain).
AQA 20204 marksExplain two reasons why many religious believers oppose the death penalty. Refer to scripture or another source of religious belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: the sanctity of life means only God should take life, "you shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), so executing breaks this. Reason two: there is a risk of executing an innocent person, and the death penalty removes any chance of reform and repentance, which Christianity values. Markers reward two distinct, developed reasons plus a source. Note that views differ; some accept it for grave crimes.
AQA 202312 marks"Religious believers should always forgive criminals." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Jesus taught forgiveness "seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22) and forgave those who crucified him, and Islam praises those who forgive, so believers should forgive. Arguments against: forgiveness does not cancel justice, victims may struggle to forgive serious crimes, and some say genuine repentance should come first. Use terms (forgiveness, repentance, justice, mercy). Reach a justified conclusion that distinguishes forgiving the person from excusing the crime or removing punishment.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)