2. Religion, Peace & Conflict Flashcards
Biological Weapons
Disease-producing agents, such as bacteria, viruses and toxins, that are used against humans to cause disease and death.
Bullying
The deliberate intimidation of a person through words or physical actions.
Chemical Weapons
Toxic chemicals used to kill or injure; are banned under international law.
Civilian Casualties
People who, despite not fighting in a war, are injured or killed by the fighting.
Conflict
A dispute between sides; can be between individuals, groups, or nations.
Conflict Resolution
Creating peace by finding a solution for a problem between two parties that have been at war or in dispute.
Dictator
A ruler who uses power unjustly.
Environmental Damage
The potential created by modern warfare, in which an army might destroy huge areas of land to wipe out an enemy’s cover, using chemical weapons that can affect the vegetation for decades, even after the war has ended.
Forgiveness
Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on.
Holy War
A war that is believed to be sanctioned by God and for a religious cause.
Injustice
Lack of justice, which can lead to a lack of self-worth and dignity.
Justice
Bringing fairness back to a situation and for all people.
Just War Theory
A set of rules and conditions, as defined by St. Thomas Aquinas, that must be met for a war to be believed to be justified, which includes justifiable military action, and being acceptable to God.
Martyrdom
The act where a person is killed for their religious beliefs (martyr) and accepts death rather than renouncing their faith.
Non-Violent Resistance
Opposing the use of physical force to bring about social or political change by resisting and/or acting against someone or something.
Nuclear deterrence
Having nuclear weapons with the aim of deterring/preventing other states attacking for a fear of retaliation and nuclear war (possibly leading to mutually assured destruction).
Nuclear weapons
A weapon of mass destruction, more especially a device that releases energy in a violent, explosive way as a result of a nuclear reaction, causing extensive damage, major area destruction, and a significant loss of life.
Nuclear War
A war fought using nuclear weapons.
Pacifism
The belief that all violence and war are wrong and unjustifiable, it should never be used, and instead, disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
Peace
The opposite of war, which is harmony between all in society.
Peace-making
Working to bring about peace and reconciliation.
Protest
A statement or action to express disagreement, and can be an organised event to demonstrate disagreement with a policy or political action.
Radicalisation
When someone is influenced to hold extreme views on religious and/or political issues because they are unwilling to see alternate views.
Reconciliation
Making up, rebuilding, and restoring friendly relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement and breakdown.
Refugees
Those who flee their homes, either because their lives have already been destroyed or due to a serious risk of death, all most likely from war.
Retaliation
To pay someone back for their harmful actions.
Righteous Anger
Anger against an injustice, which Christians feel is acceptable because it is directed against something that God would not agree with.
Terrorism
The unlawful use of violence and threats to intimidate others, usually against innocent civilians, which is used for political purposes to build fear in the ordinary population and to secure demands from the government.
Torture
Any act by which severe pain and suffering, whether it be physical or mental pain, is intentionally inflicted on a person/people by public officials.
Victims of war
Those who are harmed during a war, for example, those killed, injured, or left homeless.
Violence
Swift and intense behaviour involving physical force or action that intends to threaten, hurt, kill, or cause damage.
War
Armed conflict between two or more sides, either within a country or between nations.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons that cause widespread, indiscriminate damage.
Give some Christian teachings on forgiveness.
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 – Jesus on the cross)
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
“Let you who is without sin cast the first stone.” ( John 8:7 – Jesus to a crowd about to stone a woman to death for adultery)
“Forgive us our trespasses [sins] as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Lord’s Prayer)
Peter asked Jesus “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
“Your brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ (Parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11)
Who put forward the Just War Theory?
The JWT was first put forward by Thomas Aquinas.
How does the Church of England advocate for the use of nuclear weapons?
The Church of England advocates for nuclear weapons as a deterrent, urging ‘multilateral disarmament’.
(the definition of multilateral disarmament is in this set of flashcards)
Multilateral Disarmament
Where more than two countries reduce armaments and search for peace and security.
Does the Catholic Church support the use of nuclear weapons?
Yes, but to a certain extent.
The Catholic Church supports nuclear weapons as a deterrent in order to prevent war, and not for attacking entire populations or cities.
What are the criteria for a war to be ‘just’?
Just cause - primarily intended to protect the innocent and human rights
Legitimate authority - approved by a legally appointed government
Right intention - must not be for revenge but have peace as its motive
Last resort - all other methods to establish peace have been exhausted
Likelihood of success - high chance of the war ending in victory
Proportionality - use of violence must be proportional to the threat of the enemy
Discrimination - must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants and avoid harming non-combatants