religion peace and conflict Flashcards
(22 cards)
How is violence condemned in the Bible?
Violence is present in the Old Testament when Cain murders Abel from his own sinful heart - God condemns him and punishes him.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks on the peacemakers being blessed in the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches his followers to love their enemies, pray for those who persecute them, and turn the other cheek in response to violence.
Christians believe these to prove that violence is wrong in any context, so they should always look for peaceful solutions.
How is violence justified in the Bible?
In parts of the Old Testament, God condones the use of violence in the context of wars, fought by the Israelites, to claim and protect land they have been promised by God. HOWEVER, those wars are in the context of looking for peace.
In the NT, Jesus displayed righteous anger, reacting violently when coming across corrupt trading.
Many Christians interpret this to mean that war is justifiable in certain circumstances if it is the only way to establish a peaceful resolution.
Quote for Christian view on violence?
“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed,” ~Genesis 9:6
Why might a Christian choose to serve in the armed forces?
They believe their service helps bring peace, protect innocent civilians and challenge the evil in the world.
Different Christian attitudes to an involvement in politics?
Some Christians, eg. the Plymouth Brethren, argue that it is wrong to get involved in politics, because authorities have been appointed by God, and so Christians should submit to them. They should also focus on spreading the Gospel instead of focusing on politics.
Other Christians might argue that it’s an active way to speak up against any injustice, so to serve God and effect change, it is a moral obligation.
Define and explain ‘Terrorism’.
Terrorism is the illegal use of violence to cause intimidation for political or religious aims, carried out against civilians. Terrorists resort to this, because they often feel there is no alternative, and it is an appropriate response to receiving fewer rights, wanting recognition, or against the marginalisation of minority groups.
Different Christian attitudes towards terrorism?
All Christian Churches believe the use of hatred, terror and violence is wrong, but that some of the causes of terrorism can be combatted through creating stronger communities.
The Catholic Church believes sometimes a response to terrorism is a just war, and the Church of England accept the use of lethal force as a last resort in dealing with terrorists.
Define ‘Just War’.
A war which is fought, meeting certain criteria to be justifiable, when all other options have been exhausted. Includes three areas - Jus ad bellum, Jus in bello, Jus post bellum.
Jus ad bellum?
Developed by Thomas Aquinas - Whether it is right to go to war in the first place - a just REASON, PURPOSE and METHOD
Jus in bello?
Actions taken DURING the war ie. Civilians should not be harmed.
Jus post bellum?
Actions taken AFTER the war ie. Punishing war criminals.
Christian attitudes to war?
War isn’t easily justified - we should be able to coexist peacefully, and aim for peace and justice, but sometimes war is necessary to achieve this. Christians also believe they should always pray for anyone involved in a war.
Catholics and Anglicans believe war is always regretful, because it means other peaceful means have failed.
Define ‘Holy War’.
An argument which states that physical violence is sometimes necessary, to DEFEND RELIGION ON BEHALF OF (AND WITH) GOD. They are authorised by a religious leader, and with a promised spiritual reward for those who take part.
Historical example of a Holy War?
From 1096 to 1478, Christians were involved in a series of Holy Wars, called the Crusades, as an attempt to reclaim the land of Jerusalem from Muslims. They were majorly unsuccessful though, and there was additional raiding and looting done, which could question the “holy/justness” of the war.
Modern day example of a Holy War?
In 2003, President Bush claimed he had been told by God to invade Iraq, as part of a mission to bring peace in the Middle East. A US Reverend however, countered this, saying “US soldiers are not Christian Crusaders and should not be depicted as such”.
Neither Catholic nor Anglican Churches have been called on for Holy Wars since the Crusades though.
Quotes for Just/Holy War?
“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” ~Matthew 5:43
“He will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide, They will beat their swords into plowshares,” ~Micah 4:3
Describe Christian attitudes to warfare
- CONVENTIONAL WARFARE: war can’t easily be justified, so snoikd always be avoided unless meets all criteria of a just war.
- APOCALYPTIC WARFARE: excessive use of force (eg nuclear weapon) is something majority of christians oppose - they harm non-combatants and aren’t proportionate to just cause and aim of war
- TECHNOLOGICAL WARFARE: christians do not agree with the use of drones in wars - death toll is inequal, too remote and reduces the awareness of the human cost of war.
- methodist church condemns use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
SOWA: “It is impossible to conceive of a just war in a nuclear age” Pope John XXIII
Pacifism
- Pacifism : the belief that any use of violence is wrong. They believe that violence and aggression should not be tolerated, but but they don’t believe further violence is the way to achieve this - they use peaceful methods instead.
- Absolute Pacifism : No use of military force whatsoever, because of Jesus’ teaching to love your enemies - BRETHREN/AMISH/QUAKERS advocate pacifism, because Jesus was a pacifist when confronted with the Romans and gave himself up to death, so his followers should too.
- Conditional Pacifism : When war is considered necessary, because the consequences of the act of war are less bad than the alternative - ideally no civilians should be killed though.
- RCC and Anglican Churches typically teach conditional pacifism, as war is sometimes necessary to achieve peace.
Christians working for peace
- Jesus came to Earth to guide people to live in peace, and so people should make that effort to live in peace, and work for it.
- Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament: An organisation that works to get UK to get rid of its nuclear weapons. They also campaign for peace through conferences, peaceful protests, petitions and services
- Pax Christi: An international Catholic peace movement, reflecting the peace of Christ in the life of the people, promoting non-violence, through public debates to criticise eg the government.
- Violence is sometimes used to work for peace (eg Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid)
- Different types of peace can be seen as the most important (seeking God’s reconciliation is personal peace, which has an eternal effect - living in this way also means obeying Jesus’ command to spread the gospel, and since the focus is on that, they are indirectly working for peace - Jesus’ teachings may also mean seeking peace on a larger scale, like war)
SOWA: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God” // “turn the other cheek” SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- Forgiveness : Making a choice to let go of the wrongs that have been done
- Reconciliation : Restoring relationships between former enemies.
- Enables relationships to be restored in the most extreme of cases. Restorative justice improves community relations, and strengthens societies.
- Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is very important - eg. When an adulterous woman was not stoned by Pharisees but instead forgiven, because none of those Pharisees are without sin themselves / Lord’s prayer points out forgiveness must be sought by the individual from God. + In Romans, it is said that revenge belongs to God, and Chritistians should act with loving kindness.
- Forgiveness might not always be possible : repentance is required/the dead cannot forgive/only God can judge
SOWA: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you
Justice and Injustice
- Justice: The fair and equal treatment of all people within a society, punishments, rewards and rights
- Justice is central to the nature of God + the penalty for failing to meet God’s standard of perfection is paid for through the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Church. Christian justice is not only about love and forgiveness, but with that, appropriately punishing wrongdoings, and only offering that forgiveness if the wrongdoer repents
- Social Justice : Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society
- when a society is just, there is less conflict, so likelihood of acts such as terrorism are reduced, because people feel less marginalised or disempowered. People also trust the law where there is justice punishing the sinners, so they do not need to take matters into their own hands.
- examples of christians working for social justice - supporting the fair trade movement, as well as salvation army who help the trafficked, homeless and elders, with aid, shelter and projects.
- All Christians are opposed to social injustice - martin luther king, mother teresa, jackie pullinger
SOWA: “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless.”
Liberation theology
- God has the power to change unjust situations.
- Therefore, some Christians believe it is right to stand up against authorities that misuse their powers, eg peaceful protests or active support when peaceful methods fail.
- OSCAR ROMERO : Christians were kidnapped, persecuted and murdered by the wealthy and powerful when they were poor and oppressed. He spoke out when defending a priest who was killed for speaking out, and was shot with a signle bullet during mass. His work and actions have continued through the work of others.
