Religion, Peace, and Conflict Flashcards
What are some instances of violence in the Old Testament?
Cain murders his brother Abel out of jealousy and anger. God punishes him
God orders wars fought by the Israelites to claim or protect land God promised them. The wars aim to seek ultimate peace
God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, two sinful cities
God killed most of the world as they were sinful in The Flood
What were Jesus’ teachings and actions on violence?
In the Sermon on the Mount he says the peacemakers are blessed and to turn the other cheek to violence
When finding money changers and traders in the temple in Jerusalem he reacted violently, an example of righteous anger
What may be the role of Christians in violent conflicts?
Some may work in the armed forces, saying they are helping bring peace, protect civilians, and challenge evil
Some may act as chaplains, offering religious guidance to others
Some pacifists may work as doctors and nurses in charities to help the injured
What are Christian attitudes on getting involved with politics?
Some say that authorities are appointed by God so should be respected and trusted. Paul the apostle believed that Roman authorities were God’s servants so believers should submit to them.
Some say preaching the Gospel should be a Christian’s focus, not politics.
The Plymouth Brethren and most Amish people do not vote.
Others say there is a moral obligation to be involved, in order to speak up against injustice and elect leaders that share Christian values.
What is terrorism?
The illegal use of violence to cause fear and intimidation for political aims
Why may people get involved in terrorism?
If they feel they have no alternative to achieve change
If they believe it is an appropriate response to their situation, such as Zionist groups in the 1930s
If they have been marginalised and feel their culture or freedoms are being attacked
If they have been radicalised
What is CONTEST?
The British strategy to counter international terrorism and extremism, involving responses to help tackle radicalisation. One way is by encouraging schools to promote British values.
What are different Christian attitudes to terrorism and its causes?
The Catholic Church says it is never justifiable and that an act of just war is acceptable as a final resort to preserve innocent life against terrorism.
The CofE also opposes it and accepts lethal force as a last resort against terrorists. In its 2005 report Facing the Challenge of Terrorism it said the CofE should promote greater understanding, reconciliation and respect, especially between faiths. They say stronger communities will help combat some of terrorism’s causes.
What was the IRA?
The Irish Republican Army, a terrorist organisation that sprang up in the Troubles as a response to discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland. They used acts of violence and terror against Protestants, including the police and the British army. Over 3,500 people died in the Troubles until 1998, when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, accompanied by a ceasefire.
What is just war theory?
A theory developed by St. Thomas Aquinas and the Catholic Church that aims to make war justifiable and acceptable by Christians. There are three parts: Jus ad bellum (whether it is right to go to war), Jus in bello (actions taken in war), and Jus post bellum (actions taken after war).
What are some Jus ad bellum criteria?
The war must be started by the proper authority e.g. the government
The reason to go to war must be just e.g. to protect a group of people
Everything must be dome to make sure good, not evil, results from the war
What are some Jus in bello criteria?
Civilians should not be harmed
Appropriate force only should be used
Internationally agreed conventions regulating war must be obeyed
What are some Jus post bellum criteria?
Punishing war criminals
Helping retrain police and military in a defeated country where bad government has been defeated
What are the three elements Holy Wars tend to have?
The achievement of a religious goal
The authorisation of a religious leader e.g. the Pope
The promise of a spiritual reward for those who take part e.g. that they will go to heaven
What are some aims a Holy War could have?
Claiming land for a religion
Spreading of the faith
Defence of religious believers
What were the Crusades?
A historical Holy War. They were an attempt by Christians to reclaim the Holy Land of Jerusalem from Muslims. Some were called by Popes, with spiritual rewards promised. For example, in the First Crusade Pope Urban II promised knights forgiveness for sins if Jerusalem was won back.
Why do some say the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a Holy War? Why do others disagree?
President Bush often used Bible quotes in briefings to support the war, suggesting that it was God’s will. He claimed he had been told by God to invade Iraq as part of a God-given mission to bring peace to the Middle East. Many fundamentalist Christians supported him.
There were concerns that this attitude could be used to suggest that the war was an act of aggression by a Christian nation to overthrow an Islamic one, which could fuel conflict.
What are mainstream Christian attitudes to conventional warfare?
War is not easily justified, and needs to meet all just war criteria to take place. War may be necessary to achieve peace and maintain justice; St Augustine said that wars to punish evil were peaceful acts. The global community should do all it can to ensure peace. Christians should work for peace. Catholics and Anglicans say war is regrettable as it means peaceful actions have failed.
What is Christian realism?
A theory developed in the 1920s by the Christian leader Reinhold Niebuhr. He said it is impossible to achieve ethical perfection as sin is in everyone. A result of this sinfulness is war. Although it is evil, it is sometimes necessary to prevent greater evils. He rejected pacifism as nations would always attack others, so war would be needed to stop them. Pacifism is therefore unrealistic in a sinful world.
