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)
Was Jesus a pacifist?and quote to support
Yes
‘Put your sword away, for he who lives by the sword shall died by the sword’ (Luke 26:51)
But the temple
Who were the quakers?
- Christian group - famous pacifists
* Conscientious objectors during war
Example of pacifism working and techniques
Speeches
Marches
Boycotts
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Who may pacifism not work against?
Against dictators
What is a ‘Holy War’ ?
- A war fought for a religious goal
- Must be approved by a religious leader
- A belief that God is on your side
Example of religious war
Crusades
Holy war features in today’s Christians belief?
No
For and against religion causes war?
For
More division
Discriminates
Promotes preaching
Doesn’t comprimise
Against
Promotes love and peace and understanding
Jesus a pacifist
Addresses negative thoughts and root
Other reasons for going to war
- To gain power, land, resources (oil)…
- Defend innocent people
- Retaliation (revenge)
- To depose or stop a dictator …defend human rights
- Defend our allies
- Political differences
- Self-defence
Catholic quote on nuclear war
‘There is no such thing as a just war in a nuclear age’
Pope John XXIII
Catholic reasons against nuclear wat
- The effects are indiscriminate – innocent people die… its not a just war
- Causes tension and fear – makes the world less safe
- Causes severe damage to the environment
- Hiroshima/Nagasaki had a terrible effect on survivors …. starvation, disease … cancer, still births etc.
- Cost is huge - better spent on schools/NHS?
Contrasting views on nuclear weapons
- We need nuclear weapons to deter attacks (Britain
- We need them for self-defence – other countries have them, e.g. India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea
- They are a symbol of Britain’s role in the world
Consequences of Modern Warfare
- Refugees
- Civilian deaths and injuries
- Environmental damage
- Trauma
- Child soldiers
- Destruction of a country’s economy….etc
How many refugees globally?
There are around 26 million registered refugees across the globe. This obviously doesn’t include unregistered ones (number would be much higher).
Why many refugees come over illegally?
To travel by ordinary lawful routes, people need visas – but there is no visa available for refugees.
Some therefore feel they have no choice but to be smuggled into Europe - which usually involves perilous journeys on poor quality, overcrowded boats at risk of sinking.
Statistic on migrant deaths 2020
Tragically, in 2020 an estimated 979 migrants died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea - but the real number is uncertain.
What is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is someone who is hoping and waiting to receive refugee status, meaning they can stay in the country.
Under international law, asylum seekers cannot be returned to the country of danger – they have the right to seek asylum in any country they arrive in.
When they arrive in Europe they can qualify for accommodation and financial support while waiting for their claims to be finally decided.
The main reasons people flee their country? (3)
Poverty, war, disease
Should Britain receive more refugees?
Opinions differ greatly on whether Britain should host more refugees. Some argue that there are not enough resources to do so while others claim that we owe it to refugees legally and morally. It is the humane thing to do.
Catholic teaching on terrorism?
Catholic Church opposes the use of terror in any situation
Catholic quote about terrorism
It is gravely against justice and charity (CCC)
Bible teachings on terrorism
• St Paul says that we should ‘obey the authorities’
• St Paul tells us ‘never take vengeance’
… suggesting that violence and terrorism is always wrong
Contrasting views on terrorism
The Jewish Maccabees used terrorist attacks against authorities who were trying to force them to give up Judaism
If they had not, Judaism might not have survived.
Mandela turned to terrorism in order to fight the racist apartheid system - because the government weren’t listening
General religious views on terrorists
- Christian and Muslim leaders stand together against terrorism
- Terrorists have a distorted, incorrect view of what God wants
- Their actions have been completely rejected by the religion they claim to represent
What is radicalisation?
Adopting extreme views - unwilling to see alternative views. May lead to terrorism – threat to society
How do people become radicalised?
Younger people living in deprived areas are the most vulnerable – feel rejected by society
What should we do about radicalisation?
Catholic teaching is that we must solve INEQUALITY
we need equal opportunities to jobs, housing, education etc
What is a martyr and catholic view?
Martyr = someone who suffers violence or death for refusing to give up their faith. Highly valued by the Catholic Church
Example of martyr
Oscar Romero
Does CC view suicide bombers as martyrs?
The Catholic Church do not accept that suicide bombers, who die in the name of their religion, are martyrs.
Catholic quote on torture?
‘Torture…is contrary to respect for the person and
for human dignity.’ (CCC)
Reasons against torture
A rejection of the sanctity of life and ‘love your neighbour’
It’s illegal
It causes deep psychological trauma
The information obtained is unreliable (people lie/won’t talk)
Reasons justifying torture
It could save more lives….prevent further terrorist attacks – the lesser of two evils
To obtain important information
Catholic teaching about what we should do to help modern conflicts? (2)
Catholic teaching is that we should:
• Prevent war
• Help the victims of war.
Examples of CC helping in modern conflicts
- The Pope - held a prayer meeting between Israel & Palestine leaders
- Catholic organisations –Aid to the Church in need provide shelter, food, medicine to victims of Syrian war
CAFOD set up orphanages for former child soldiers
How can individuals help in modern conflicts
Individuals – donate money to charities, volunteer, prayer
Peace in CC (not quote)
Peace is promised in the OT and NT – a sign of God’s kingdom.
• So, all Catholics should be involved in peacemaking – in families, school and globally.
Two Catholic organisations that work for peace:
Pax Christi
Justice and Peace Commission
Pax Christi
- Works in more than 50 countries to establish peace
- Gets involved in disputes early– to prevent violence
- Encourages fairness & justice
Justice & Peace Commission?
- Campaigns to remove nuclear weapons from the world
- … to reduce the arms trade
- Raises awareness of human rights abuses
