Good, Evil & Reasons for Crime
Good and Evil Intentions and Actions
Every action has an intention behind it. Religious believers distinguish between good intentions (those that aim to help others and follow God’s will) and evil intentions (those that aim to harm others or defy what is morally right). A key question in ethics is whether a good intention can justify an action that causes suffering.
Christians believe that God gave humans free will — the ability to choose between good and evil. This means humans are morally responsible for their actions. The Bible teaches: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31), suggesting that the world was created good but that humans can choose to act in evil ways.
In Islam, humans are also believed to have free will. Allah created humans as his khalifah (stewards) on earth, responsible for making moral choices. The Qur’an teaches that those who do good will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement, while those who do evil will be held accountable: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it” (Qur’an 99:7–8).
Can it ever be good to cause suffering? Some argue that causing suffering can be justified if it leads to a greater good — for example, a doctor performing painful surgery to save a life, or a parent disciplining a child to teach right from wrong. Others argue that deliberately causing suffering is always wrong because it violates the sanctity of life and human dignity. Christianity teaches “do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12); Islam teaches that Allah is merciful and expects humans to show mercy too.
Reasons for Crime
People commit crimes for many different reasons. Understanding why crime occurs helps society respond appropriately and helps religious believers consider how to balance justice with compassion. The specification identifies four main categories of reasons for crime.
Poverty and upbringing: People living in poverty may steal to feed their families or survive. Those raised in environments where crime is normalised may see it as their only option. Religious believers often show compassion towards people driven to crime by poverty. Jesus taught: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40), encouraging Christians to help the poor rather than simply punish them.
Mental health and addiction: People suffering from mental health problems or addiction may commit crimes because they are not fully in control of their actions. Religious believers may argue that these individuals need treatment and support rather than punishment. Islam teaches compassion for those who are suffering and recognises that people should be judged according to their intentions and circumstances.
Greed and hate: Some crimes are motivated by greed (wanting wealth or power) or hate (prejudice against a group of people). These motivations are generally condemned by religious believers. The Bible warns: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Islam teaches that greed goes against the principle of zakah — sharing wealth with those in need.
Opposition to unjust laws: Some people break laws they believe are morally wrong — this is called civil disobedience. Rosa Parks broke segregation laws in the USA because she believed they were unjust. Martin Luther King Jr, a Baptist minister, organised peaceful protests against racist laws, arguing that “an unjust law is no law at all” (influenced by St Augustine). Many religious believers support the principle that an immoral law can be legitimately opposed.
Views About People Who Break the Law
Religious believers hold a range of views about lawbreakers. Most agree that breaking the law is wrong, but they differ on how much compassion should be shown and whether the reasons behind the crime matter.
Christians are taught to “hate the sin, love the sinner” — condemning the crime but showing compassion to the criminal. Jesus himself spent time with sinners and outcasts, saying: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17). Islam teaches that humans should show mercy, as Allah is “the most merciful” (Ar-Rahman), but also that justice must be upheld — criminals should face appropriate consequences for their actions.
Religious views on lawbreakers depend heavily on the reason for the crime. Someone stealing bread to feed their starving child may receive more sympathy than someone stealing for greed. Someone opposing an unjust law (like Rosa Parks) may be seen as morally right. Both Christianity and Islam balance justice with mercy, teaching that while wrongdoing must have consequences, rehabilitation and forgiveness are also important.
Types of Crime
The exam specification requires knowledge of three specific types of crime and religious views on each.
Hate crimes are offences motivated by hostility towards a person’s identity — their race, religion, sexuality or disability. Both Christianity and Islam condemn hate crimes because they contradict the belief that all humans are created equal by God. The Bible teaches that God “created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27), and the Qur’an states: “We have honoured the children of Adam” (17:70).
Theft is taking what belongs to someone else. It is forbidden by the Ten Commandments (“You shall not steal” — Exodus 20:15) and by the Qur’an. However, some religious believers show compassion towards those who steal out of desperation, while still condemning the act itself.
Murder is the unlawful killing of another person. It is condemned by all religions as a violation of the sanctity of life. The Ten Commandments state: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Qur’an teaches: “Do not take life, which God has made sacred” (6:151).