3.2 Peace, Reconciliation and Forgiveness

Question 1

What is Pacifism?

Answer 1

Opposition to the use of war + violence to solve problems

Question 2

What do pacifists believe?

Answer 2

There are better outcomes for society + individuals as they will have to find other ways to solve right and wrongs done to eachother

Question 3

Absolute Pacifism

Answer 3

It is never right to take part in war, even in self - defence.
Sanctity of Life

Question 4

Examples of Absolute Pacifism

Answer 4

Quakers
Gandhi - ahimsa = non-violence
Amish - violence is an oppressive use of power
MLK - used passive resistance

Question 5

Quakers Absolute Pacifism quote

Answer 5

Quaker Peace Declaration ‘we utterly deny all outwards war and strife’

Question 6

Conditional Pacifism

Answer 6

Are against war + violence in principle but accept that in extreme circumstances war may be ‘less bad’ than the alternative

Question 7

Examples of Conditional Pacifism

Answer 7

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - conspired to kill Hitler as a last resort in WW2
‘When assaulted by evil, they must oppose it through direct action’

Question 8

What would a secular conditional pacifist believe?

Answer 8

Base their moral code on Utilitarian principles
using force to tackle an injustice would create more moral good

Question 9

What is forgiveness?

Answer 9

The act of pardoning another for something they have done to hurt you

Question 10

What do Christians say about forgiveness

Answer 10

It is a connection between humans and God
It is an act of obedience to God

Question 11

What is reconciliation?

Answer 11

The restoring of a friendly relationship between people who have conflicted

Question 12

Christian teaching on reconcilation

Answer 12

John 3:16 - for god so loved the world that he sent his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life’

Question 13

Why might Christians forgive?

Answer 13

God forgives those who repent and offers reconciliation
Jesus forgave + taught forgiveness - Lords prayer ‘ Forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sin against us’
Parable of Unforgiving Servant

Question 14

Jeremiah 31:34

Answer 14

‘For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more’

Question 15

Christians who have shown forgiveness

Answer 15

Gee Walker - his son was murdered in a racist attack
Desmond Tutu - set up a truth + reconciliation commision