Religion, crime and the causes of crime — AQA GCSE Religious Studies

This topic explores the relationship between religion and crime, focusing on why crime occurs and how religious beliefs influence attitudes towards law-breaking. You will examine different types of crime (e.g., theft, murder, hate crime) and their causes, including poverty, upbringing, addiction, and mental illness. Religious perspectives from Christianity and Islam are central, as these faiths offer moral guidance on issues like justice, forgiveness, and the purpose of punishment.

Understanding this topic is crucial because it connects religious ethics to real-world issues. You will evaluate whether religion can prevent crime or justify it in some cases (e.g., through the concept of 'just war' or civil disobedience). The topic also covers the aims of punishment—retribution, deterrence, reformation, and protection—and how different religions prioritise these aims. This knowledge helps you engage with debates about the UK justice system and moral responsibility.

In the wider AQA GCSE Religious Studies course, this topic builds on themes of good and evil, sin, and salvation. It links to 'Religion, peace and conflict' and 'Religion, human rights and social justice', as crime often involves violations of human rights or social harmony. By the end, you should be able to explain religious teachings on crime and evaluate their application in modern society.

• →Crime: An act against the law; religious teachings often view crime as sin (e.g., the Ten Commandments forbid murder, theft, lying).
• →Causes of crime: Poverty, upbringing, addiction, mental illness, greed, and peer pressure; religions may emphasise free will and moral responsibility.
• →Aims of punishment: Retribution ('an eye for an eye'), deterrence (discouraging crime), reformation (changing the offender), and protection (keeping society safe).
• →Forgiveness: A key Christian and Muslim teaching; e.g., Jesus taught forgiveness 'seventy-seven times' (Matthew 18:22), but justice must also be served.
• →Civil disobedience: Deliberately breaking the law for moral reasons, e.g., Martin Luther King Jr. or the Prophet Muhammad's early struggles; religious views vary.

• Definition and understanding of the concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
• Explanation of dependent arising (paticcasamupada)
• Identification and explanation of the Three Marks of Existence: anicca, anatta, and dukkha
• Comparison of the human personality in Theravada (Five Aggregates) and Mahayana (sunyata, Buddha-nature) traditions
• Distinction between human destiny ideals: Arhat vs Bodhisattva
• Understanding of Buddhahood and the Pure Land

• 💡Ensure you can clearly define the Three Marks of Existence and provide examples for each
• 💡Use precise terminology when discussing the Five Aggregates
• 💡Be prepared to compare and contrast Theravada and Mahayana views on the human personality and the ideal of the enlightened person
• 💡Link the concept of Dhamma to the broader Buddhist path to Enlightenment
• 💡Use specific religious quotes and teachings to support your points. For example, quote the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) or the Qur'an (Surah 5:32) on the sanctity of life. This shows depth of knowledge.
• 💡Evaluate different viewpoints. For 12-mark questions, discuss both Christian and Muslim perspectives, and consider secular views (e.g., humanism). Show awareness that religions are not monolithic.
• 💡Link causes of crime to aims of punishment. For instance, if crime is caused by addiction, reformation (e.g., rehabilitation programmes) might be more effective than retribution. This demonstrates analytical thinking.

• Confusing the Theravada concept of the Five Aggregates with Mahayana concepts like sunyata
• Failing to distinguish between the Arhat and Bodhisattva ideals
• Misinterpreting the Three Marks of Existence as separate concepts rather than interconnected aspects of reality
• Overlooking the specific differences between Theravada and Mahayana perspectives on human personality and destiny
• Misconception: All religious people believe in 'an eye for an eye' punishment. Correction: While some interpret the Bible or Qur'an literally, many Christians and Muslims emphasise mercy and reformation, e.g., Jesus taught 'turn the other cheek' (Matthew 5:39).
• Misconception: Religion always prevents crime. Correction: Some crimes are committed in the name of religion (e.g., terrorism), but most religious teachings condemn such acts. Religion can also be a cause of crime if misinterpreted.
• Misconception: The only cause of crime is poverty. Correction: Crime has multiple causes, including addiction, mental illness, upbringing, and social environment. Religious teachings often highlight personal choice and moral failure as well.