What is War? Any conflict lasting longer than an hour between nations.
Consequences of War
Religious Teachings
Destruction of lives and property Creation of orphans/widows Refugee Crisis (People fleeing) Destroys a country’s infrastructure (roads/hospitals/schools/bridges/food transportation) Causes poverty (Eg Africa) famine and disease Nuclear Weapons destroy entire cities and causes radiation sickness and poisoning. Thou Shalt Not Kill Those who live by the sword die by the sword – Jesus in the garden – If you use violence, that is how you meet your end. Turn the other Cheek – Never respond to violence – The Pacifist approach.
Just War – War is sometimes justified – Thomas Aquinas 13th Century Justified War 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
Civilian casualties must be avoided if possible. War is a last resort – All attempts at peace have failed. War must be organised by Government The world must be a better place for having fought the war You have been invaded and are defending yourselves.
World War Two is often seen as an example of Justified War (Dresden/Hiroshima could question this – The holocaust can be used as a counter) Nuclear War cannot be justified because civilians are killed.
Pacifism and Christianity In Action
The belief that all violence in wrong. Buddhism – Does not accept violence in any form. Quakers – During the First World War, Quakers joined the Red Cross rather than fight. They served in the trenches without weapons, helping the wounded.
Martin Luther King – Write about MLK – His actions demonstrate pacifism in action- for example, the bus boycott, sit in’s. Pax Christi – A non -profitable peace movement set up after World War Two
Campaign against the arms trade Writing letters to governments about human rights concerns. Work in Palestine encouraging peace Raising standards of people’s lives in poor areas to encourage peace and love.
Dietrich Bonheoffer – Christian Priest involved in the assassination plots involving Hitler. Christianity and the use of violence Old Testament Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth. New Testament – Jesus used violence in the temple when he overturned the tables. Christians can use violence if they stick to the conditions of a justified War. However, Jesus was essentially a pacifist, so Quakers and Mennonites believe that ALL violence is wrong.
Islam and War, Briefly, War is allowed if; In brief, war is permitted:
in self defence
when other nations have attacked an Islamic state
if another state is oppressing its own Muslims I If anyone killed a person - unless it was for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed the whole people Qur'an 5:32 This is was between two religions.
Holy War One example, the Crusades, when Christians fought Muslims to reclaim the Holy land. (Jerusalem) This was ordered by the Pope, Urban II. Holy War can be carried out if; It is ordered by a spiritual leader It has a goal (objective) There is a reward – During the Crusades, Christians were told that if they took part, they would go to heaven. In 1996, Osama Bin Laden announced a Holy War (Jihad – Struggle) against the West. The aim was to remove all Western forces from the Holy land. This struggle still continues in various parts of the world. Summary – Holy War is no longer accepted by religious people. Jesus was a pacifist, and the idea if wiping people out who are different stands against all his teachings. Muslims also say that he who kills one, is as if he “killed the whole people”.
Test yourself – These are exam questions. 1) What is meant by a ‘Holy War’? (1 mark) _________________________________________________________________________ 2) Give two reasons why countries might go to war. (2 marks) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3) ‘No one who is religious can be a terrorist.’ - What do you think? Explain your opinion. (3 marks) Explain what terrorism is ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ One view AGREEING with statement ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ One view OPPOSING statement ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4) Explain why some religious believers are prepared to fight in a war. (6 marks)
A religious believer may fight in a justified war as long as; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________(3 reasons =3 marks) A Muslim may fight in a war if; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________(3 reasons = 3 marks)
5) Wars do not solve problems; they only create them.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks) Wars can solve problems. For example; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________(2 MARKS)
However, Wars cause major problems such as; __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________(2 MARKS)
My view is __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________(1 MARK) A religious person would say that __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 MARK) Key words
Key Teachings
Civilians
Thou Shalt Not kill
Dresden/Hiroshima/Nagasaki
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword
Self defence/retaliation
Turn the other cheek He who kills one, kills the world