Punishment - why?

In working on an essay challenging atheistic beliefs, I have come up
with a problem.

What is the role of 'punishment' in human society? It seesm that many of
our ethical norms relate to the idea that those who break ethical codes
(whether children or adults) should be 'punished'.


To avoid argument and confusion in asking this question I deliberately
**EXCLUDE** other reasons for such sanctions - in particular:-

1. Example (i.e. we punish X so that Y & Z are not encouraged to
emulate X)

2. Protection of society - (i.e. We punish so to deter the
'culprit' from doing it again, and so undermine society.)

3. Rehabilitation. (i.e. Punishment as part of a correction
programme.)

That leaves me (I think) with the simple concept that "those who have
done wrong should suffer" per se.

I would expect atheists to see this to be wrong, and so, I guess, would
Christians. So why does it seem to be inbuilt in human nature that
those who 'do wrong' should suffer?

Mike

[The reply-to address is valid for 30 days from this posting]
--
Michael J Davis
http://www.trustsof.demon.co.uk
<><
For this is what the Lord has said to me,
"Go and post a Watchman and let
him report what he sees." Isa 21:6
<><
.

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