Religion Peace and Conflict Flashcards
(20 cards)
What are reasons for going to war?
- Greed
- Self defence
- Retaliation
How do Buddhists and Christians view “greed” as a reason?
Christians: “You can not serve both money and God” - Matthew 6
Buddhists: Greed is one of the three poisons.
How do Buddhists and Christians view “self defence” as a reason?
Christians: “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him”. Exodus 22
Buddhists: Try to follow Metta and Karuna instead of self defence.
How do Buddhists and Christians view “retaliation” as a reason?
Christians: “Turn the other cheek” Matthew 5, “do not repay anyone evil for evil…live at peace with everyone” romans 12.
Buddhists: “of those who rap themselves up in it hatred is not quenched” Buddha Dhammapada
Christian quotes against terrorism and violet protests?
- “all who draw the sword die by the sword” - Matthew 26
- “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be the children of God” - Matthew 5
Buddhists beliefs and teachings against terrorism and vioence?
- Hatred is one of the three poisons.
- Metta and Karuna
- The first precept - do not harm life.
- Ahimsa
Evidence for Chrstians against weapons of mass destruction?
- “Thou shall not kill” - Exodus 20
- The sanctity of life - life is sacred and belongs to God.
Who made the Just War Theory?
- Thomas Aquinas
What are the six conditions in the Just War Theory?
- Just cause
- Correct Authority
- Just intention
- Last resort
- Reasonable chance of success
- Must be proportional
What are the three rules for fighting a just war?
- must be fought by just means
- only appropiate force should be used
- internationally agreed conventions must be obeyed.
What are Christian quotes that are pro-conflict?
- “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” - Luke 22:36
- “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” - Matthew 10:34
- “There is time for everything… a time for war, and a time for peace” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3:8
What is a holy war?
- a war fought for a religious cause - to defend your religion
- authorised by a religious leader
Christianity quotes for just wars?
- “if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” - Romans 13:14 NIV
- “legitimate defence can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others” - Catechism of the Catholic church
Examples of religious pacifists?
- Dorothy Day - catholic activist - followed Jesus’ pacifist teachings - protested against spanish civil war, ww2 0 co-founded “The Catholic Worker” - pacifist grouip of campaigners
- Thomas Merton - Catholic monk - famous pacifist - his writings influenced many people in the civil rights movement for racial equality - against the violence of the vietnam war
- Desmond Doss
Christian and Buddhist quote against WMD?
- “When you lay siege to a city for a long time… do not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit” - Deuteromony 20:19 NIV
- “The message from here to all the world is that nuclear weapons are terrible” - Dalai Lama
What do Christians believe about forgiveness?
- “Do not forgive seven times, but seventy seven times” - Jesus
- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” - Matthew 5:7 NIV
- “… what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” - Micah 6:8 NIV
Why do Christians believe people should be peaceful?
- Isaiah 9:6 referred to the Messiah as the “Prince of Peace” - Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah and God wanted him to create peace on earth
- for Christians - Jesus’ command to “Love your enemies” Luke 6:27 NIV is veryt important in the way they live their lives
- Jesus said people shouldnt follow the Old Testament - “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But I tell you… if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” - Matthew 5 NIV
- even when Judas betrayed him, Jesus didnt condone anyone being violent - “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” - Matthew 26 NIV
Why do Buddhists believe people should be peaceful?
- violence goes against first moral precept
- Buddhists follow Dhamma to reduce suffering - violence always leads to suffering
- Buddha taught we should give up desire to fight, even for self defence - “Even if bandits were to savagely sever you, limb by limb… whoever of you harbours ill will at heart would not be upholding my teaching” - Kakacapuma Sutta - parable of the saw
- believe in ahimsa
Christians and victims of war?
- Christian aid - works to reduce poverty - has urged governments to find a compromise in the Israel/Palestine conflict
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be the children of God” - Matthew 5
Buddhists and victims of war?
- Buddhist Global Relief - charity dedicated to providing aid to those in need
- one of past projects - providing food and education for girls in Bangladesh during a conflict
