2. Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Catholic teaching on violence
- Violence rejects what God wants for the world people need wellbeing and inner calm
- Jesus taught that wrong thoughts can lead to wrong actions
Example from Bible on when wrong thoughts lead to wrong actions
Cain and Abel
Anger and Jealousy -Murder of Abel
About Bullying:
- Words can destroy self-esteem
* Cause fear and powerlessness
Catholic teachings about forgiveness
- We should forgive 70 X 7 times (unlimited times)
* God forgives us, so out of gratitude, we should forgive others.
Story about forgiveness
The Unforguving servant
What does The Lost Son story teach us (3 things)
- God forgives those who are truly sorry
- God loves us, even when we sin
- We should forgive others
Catholic quotes on forgiveness (2)
- ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us’
- Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44)
Teachings on Reconciliation
- After forgiveness comes reconciliation
* Jesus taught that people should be reconciled to each other before praising God
Reconciliation brings
- A stronger relationship
- Appreciation and acceptance
- Peace
- Respect for other people’s beliefs
Quote about peace (reconciliation)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you’ Matthew 5:23
Why is bringing about justice important for Christians?
Injustice leads to a lack of self-worth.
What is Righteous anger?
Anger against an injustice
Teachings on righteous anger
- Jesus taught anger should be avoided if possible
- But Jesus showed righteous anger (cleansing of Temple)
- Most Christians believe righteous anger is acceptable if it is because of an injustice
- Must be positive action to improve a situation
Examples of peaceful protest
Taking the knee
Some BLM protests
Example of violent protest
In Bristol, protesters pulled down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston and tipped it into the harbour
Majority Christian belief on violent protest
Most Christians are against violent protest because….
- It is illegal
- It is ineffective
- Innocent peoplecan die
- Peaceful protest works (MLK)
Comtrasting views on violent protest
- It is sometimes necessary - to make a government take notice
- For example, the suffragette movement in Britain
What do Catholics think about war?
- Taking human life goes against the commandment ‘do not murder’ and the Sanctity of Life
- However, the Catholic Church teaches that it is sometimes necessary to go to war e.g. to protect innocent people.
- They follow the Just War Theory…a set of conditions (rules) that must be met for a war to be justified
(War) The CC supports the ….?
Just War Theory
Origin of Just War Theory
Christian monk, St Thomas Aquinas, who devised the Just War Theory (1200’s).
Just War principles (6)
- The war must be started and controlled by a
proper authority - There must be a just cause
- The war must be for the right reason
- The war must be a last resort
- Proportionality - benefits of war must be greater than the harm caused
- There should be a reasonable chance of success
Questions about Just War theory?
This theory was devised in the thirteenth century. Is it relevant today?
Civil war? Terrorism? International laws…?
Bible quotes that support war (3)
‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’
‘God will destroy the nations before you’
‘The Lord is a warrior’
Bible quotes that don’t support war (3)
‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’
‘You shall not murder’
‘Blessed are the peacemakers’
Why does the OT have a lot of violence and war?
• It is telling the story of God’s ‘chosen people’ - the Israelites – and their fight to establish themselves in the ‘Promised Land’
Quote from OT against war
‘Nations will never again go to war’ (Isaiah 2-4)