10N3 Revision list religion, peace, conflict assessment 1 Flashcards
Just War Theory – what are the six conditions?
- Proper authority-war must be declared and controlled by a proper authority, such as a government, monarch or the U.N. (United Nations).
- Just cause-there must be a good reason for going to war–it should not be for greed. An example of a just cause is to protect innocent people.
- Right intention-the reason for going to war must be to do good and overcome evil. It must not be for greed e.g. to gain oil.
- Last resort-peaceful methods of sorting out the problem should have been tried first, such as with the U.N.
- Proportionality-the benefits of going to war must be greater than the harm it will cause. This might mean you would try not to:
- Kill innocent civilians e.g. you wouldn’t bomb hospitals or schools.
- Destroy a country’s economy.
- Reasonable chance of success-it must be possible to win. Wars should not be fought against an opponent who is obviously more powerful, e.g. Jersey against USA won’t work.
Note:JWT includes rules about conduct during war-e.g. civilians cannot be made targets and force should be enough to win and no more–and conduct after a war, e.g. no revenge should be taken.
Nuclear war/WMD – Christian and non-Christian views with reasons
Christian views:
The effects are disproportionate to any possible success that might be achieved.
Pope Benedict said that in war there are “no victors, only victims”. War
just causes destruction and chaos.
Possessing WMD increase tension between countries (e.g. the tension between North Korea and US – who has the biggest button).
Nuclear weapons cause damage to the environment on a scale
incomparable to any other weapon.
The effects of these weapons completely indiscriminate.
The effects of these weapons are totally disproportionate to any possible success that might follow on from their use.
With WMD the possibility of success is small.
The effect of these weapons is so devastating that the survivors might end up living in a world that is in a state of chaos/destruction.
The possession of WMD by any country increases tension and fear, it makes the world less safe and a less stable place.
Quakers are against the possession and use of nuclear weapons.
Non-Christian views:
Many people believe that nuclear weapons are necessary for defence.
Many other countries are armed with nuclear weapons (India,
Pakistan, Israel, North Korea).
Even though a country might not intend to use them, they can still act as
a deterrent from the other countries (countries will not attack them as
they know the weapons that they have access to). This is Britain’s
strategy.
In the UK our nuclear defence programme is called Trident. This mainly
consists of 4 nuclear submarines which can move around to avoid
detection.
However, Trident is very expensive. It will cost at least £100 Billion to
renew between now and 2050. Could this money be better spent on
Education and the NHS?
Many see Trident as important as a sign of Britain’s role in the world.
Many believe that the use of the atomic bombs on Japan brought an end
to WW2 – if they had not been used, millions of more people may have
been killed in the long term.
Some people (including some Catholics) argue these are necessary to prevent aggressive attacks from other countries, and are important for affective self-defence (particularly when other countries have done WMD too).
Pacifism – Christian and non-Christian views with reasons
Christian views:
The Quakers are known as “The Religious Society of Friends”.
They are a group of Christians.
Quakers believe that war can never be justified.
Quakers believe that Christians should use “weapons of the spirit”–love, truth, peace–to overcome evil.
Many Christians are pacifists because they follow Jesus’ example:”Love your enemies”.
However some Christians say that Jesus was not a complete pacifist because in the temple Jesus overturned the tables. This was considered as a righteous anger.
Christians follow Jesus’ teachings that violence is wrong.
MLK (Martin Luther King) was a pacifist all his life and Gandhi-achieved change without killing or violence.
Wars don’t resolve things and causes loss of life–it’s better to talk.
Wars causes unhappiness and the innocent suffer. Pacifism avoids cruelty.
Non-Christian views:
Jesus was not afraid to use force to throw out the traders in the temple. Some christians believe that this suggests that Jesus was not a pacifist.
An evil or corrupt ruler would ignore non-violent protests. War may be the only way to remove an evil dictatorship and liberate people.
If a country has to defend itself against an enemy, then it is only right that all able-bodied members of the country should support the war.
Wars have brought out some of the best instincts in people:bravery, brotherly love and a willingness to co-operate with others.
A pacifist nation would be vulnerable to harm from those nations who refuse to give up their weapons.
The commandment “Do not kill” refers to murder, not to killing in a just war.
Forgiveness - Christian beliefs (including quotes)
Forgiveness means showing grace and mercy; pardoning someone for what they have done wrong.
Christian beliefs:Forgiveness-bible teachings
We should forgive 70×7 times.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
(Our Father).
We can be forgiven-so out of gratitude we should forgive others (Unforgiving Servant).
Jesus said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (MT 5:43-44).
“Whoever has committed no sin may throw the first stone” (JN 8:1-11).
If you are truly sorry for your sins God will forgive you, no matter
what you have done (The Lost Son).
Is forgiveness always right?
Arguments for: Jesus says we should forgive 70×7 times. Let the Lord take revenge. Hurt, anger and bitterness is bad for your mental health. It allows you to let go of pain and bitterness. Wanting revenge can lead to stress. It helps with the healing process. You can move on to a happier life.
Anger - Christian beliefs…. Jesus’ teachings (‘do not let anger fill your mind’). Righteous anger … when might it be justified? When did Jesus show righteous anger? Other examples of righteous anger?
Righteous anger means anger against an injustice.
Christian beliefs:Jesus’ teachings
Jesus’ teaching on anger is that he said it should be avoided wherever possible.
Some christians feel righteous anger is acceptable because it can be effectively used to help create justice. Also it is directed against something that God would not agree with.
Jesus showed righteous anger when he drove the sellers from the temple because they were selling in his house–the temple. This made Jesus feel really angry.
Righteous anger should be controlled and must positively change a situation.
A person who showed this is Martin Luther King/Rosa Parks/The Suffragettes.
