Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict

Question 1

Buddhist attitudes to forgiveness

Answer 1

The Buddha suggests that anger is ‘like holding a hot coal - intending to throw it at someone - but you are the one who gets burned’
Story of Angulimala

Question 2

Christian attitudes to forgiveness

Answer 2

Jesus said ‘love your enemies’

Question 3

Buddhist views on violence and violent protest

Answer 3

-Generally not accepting of violence (not ahisma, causes dukkha, unskillful action)
-Speaking out about injustice is compassionate, is Right Action & Right Speech
-Peace can only happen with mutual respect
-There have been times where Buddhists have been using violent protest though

Question 4

Christian views on violence and violent protest

Answer 4

-Teaches against violence as Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’
-Christians are told to love their enemies; oppose or challenge them, but in a loving way
-Non-violent protest has been infrequently used in fighting unjust laws
-Some Christian activists have used violence to get their message across

Question 5

Buddhist attitudes to war

Answer 5

-First precept, to refrain from harming others, is ahimsa and is a core principle of Buddhism
-Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love
-Buddhism does not believe in war - it leads to greater problems than it solves. It is often the result of the 3 poisons, while also encouraging these in people

Question 6

Christian attitudes to war

Answer 6

-Put away your sword. Those who live by the sword die by the sword (Jesus)
-Blessed are the peacemakers (Jesus)
-Love your enemies, and pray for them (Jesus)
-Christianity teaches peace and love, though many fight in wars to defend against invading forces. There has to be a just cause, a last resort and peace restored after.

Question 7

Christian just war

Answer 7

Proposed by St Augustine and written in detail by St Thomas Aquinas in the 13th Century

-Controlled by just authority
-Just cause (not for revenge)
-Clear aim
-Last resort
-Winnable
-Fair conduct
-Good outcome

The Just war suggests that by not fighting, you allow a greater evil to happen than the war would have caused (lesser of two evils)

Question 8

Christian holy war

Answer 8

-Fought for God or faith
-Last resort
-Believers are obligated to fight
-Conducted fairly - there should be just treatment of the enemy
-Protection of civilians and the landscape
-Justice and peace restored

Question 9

Religious attitudes towards WMDs

(Weapons of Mass Destruction)

Answer 9

-Use of WMDs is wrong because of uncontrollable/extreme events
-It is against just war and holy war theories
-It is against the principles of peace, justice and sanctity of life
-Some believers accept that a nuclear deterrent needs to be maintained

Question 10

Buddhist attitudes to peace and pacifism

Answer 10

-Peace can exist if everyone respects all others (Dalai Lama)
-The Buddhist message is one of peace, not war. It is wrong to harm others (First Precept)
-Golden Rule: ‘I will act towards others exactly as I would act towards myself’

Question 11

Christian attitudes to peace and pacifism

Answer 11

-Everyone must commit themselves to peace (Pope John Paul II)
-The Christian message is one of peace. Jesus taught a message of love and Christians have a strong pacifist tradition
-Golden rule: ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’