Religion, peace and conflict Flashcards
(25 cards)
Peace
- the absence of conflict which leads to happiness/harmony
- a feeling of happiness and tranquility that can be achieved through prayer/meditation
- Both Cs and Js believe that God will bring peace to the world at some time in the future
Justice
- justice is bringing about what is right and fair, or making up for a wrong thing that has been committed
- promotes equality
- Both Cs and Js believe that God will bring justice at some time in the future
- Jewish prophets taught the importance of justice
Forgiveness
- showing compassion and mercy and pardoning someone’s wrongdoing
- Christians are taught to forgive others in order to be forgiven (Lord’s prayer)
- Both Cs and Js believe God offers forgiveness to those that ask in faith
- Yom Kippur offers Jews the opportunity to express sorrow for sin / seek God’s forgiveness
Reconciliation
- restoring friendly relations after conflict
Protest by religious person example
1950s and 1960s, Christian pastor Martin Luther King Jr organised peaceful protests against unjust racial laws in the US
- These succeeded in changing US law and bringing civil rights to all citizens of any race
protest
- most Cs and Js believe that protest is acceptable as long as violence is not used
Terrorism
- terrorists aim to make society aware of their cause, through terror and violence
- No religion promotes terrorism
Reasons for war
- Greed: gain of land/resources etc. Js and Cs criticise this
- Retaliation: Js and Cs criticise this
- Self-defence: Js and Cs find this acceptable
nuclear weapon use
- works as a deterrent
- use is looked down upon by Js and Cs
weapons of mass destruction
- nuclear, biological, chemical
- the production, stockpiling and use is illegal worldwide
- however many countries still possess them
Religious views on weapons of mass destruction and nuclear war
- Js and Cs believe only God has the right to end life
- goes against 10 commandments
- killing in war is often not viewed as murder, however us of WoMD can never be justified by Cs and Js
- some Cs think stockpiling as a deterrent is acceptable
conditions of a just war
CALIPS:
- just cause
- declared by proper legal authority
- just intention
- last resort
- chance of success
- proportional
Rules about how a war must be fought
- just means (innocent civilians should not be harmed)
- appropriate force
- internationally agreed conventions must be obeyed
Jewish teachings about wars / types of wars
- obligatory wars : God commanded them to fight
- defensive wars: self-defence, pre-emptive strikes against a suspected/potential enemy
- optional wars: fought for a good reason when all other options have ben exhausted
- civilians and landscape must be protected, prisoners must be treated with dignity
holy war
- fought for a religious cause
- authorised by a religious leader
- those who take part are believed to gain spiritual rewards
- e.g the Crusades
- nowadays, most Cs and Js believe in peaceful settling of dispute
Christian views on religion as a cause of violence
- most Cs do not respond violently to an attack on their faith
- Cs believe that violence and anger that leads to violence is wrong
Jewish views towards religion as a cause of violence
- most Js believe in peaceful protest over violence
- ## they believe mostly that they should act within the law and involve police where necessary
pacifism
- violence can never be justified inc. war
christian pacifism
- quakers
- conscientious objectors (WW1): refused to fight, many took on non-combat roles e.g. ambulance drivers, cooks, nurses mechanics etc.
- However, many Cs are not pacifist because they believe war can be justified under specific criteria
Jewish pacifism
- Judaism teaches that peace is ideal but war is sometimes necessary
- war can sometimes be seen as duty to the faith
- violence is mostly rejected
Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams
- a catholic and a protestant from northern ireland
- organised peace marches and other events throughout the UK to help bring protestants and catholics together and to call for peace between the two sides of northern ireland
- awarded 1976 noble peace prize
helping victims of war (christianity)
- parable of the good samaritan
- encouraged to help all victims
helping victims of war (Judaism)
- pikuach nefesh
- tikkun olam (healing the world)
caritas
!!! p123
