6. Religion and Peace

Question 1

Describe Christian teaching of inner peace

Answer 1

1. ‘eirene’ (Greek - peace) influenced by paradigmatic beliefs and sacred texts, offering a sense of inner peace through the assurance of salvation
2. Paul encourages adherents in (Romans 5:1) that the acquittance of their sins enables intrinsic peace.
3. Christ affirms the transcendent nature of inner peace in John 16:33, despite personal and worldly struggle.

Question 2

Recount Romans 5:1

Answer 2

“since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

Question 3

Recount John 16:33

Answer 3

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”

Question 4

Describe Christians examples of inner peace

Answer 4

1. Meditation on things that are good, pure, lovely and gracious (Philippians 4:8), prayer (Philippians 4:6) and confession to God (Catholic variation)
2. Father Damien of Molokai models impact of inner peace through work with a leper colony in 1873. He taught the lepers of their eternal value in God. He contracted leprosy in 1886; “I feel calm, resigned among my people. almighty God knows what is best and with that conviction I say daily ‘your will be done.’”

Question 5

Describe Christian teaching on world peace

Answer 5

1. Belief of God as Creator, that he created people “in his image” and are therefore equally valued by God.
2. Jesus’ nature as ‘fully human’ models how to do world peace as the gospels record his work with the poor, sick
3. Paul further encourages world peace in Romans 14:19

Question 6

Recount Romans 14:19

Answer 6

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and so mutual edification”

Question 7

Describe Christians examples of world peace

Answer 7

1. Anglicare: works from the belief that Jesus’ acknowledges and loves all people equally. This organisation provides peace to to migrant and refugees, foster care, counselling, nursing homes, providing food and financial assistance.
2. Lord Shaftsbury: 19th century politician that used his skills and status is parliament to defend the poor and working class. He provided free education to children and stopped the work of children in mines. It was believed that he working in 197 organisations. “few people have done more to lessen human misery and increase human happiness than Lord Shaftsbury.”

Question 8

Describe Jewish teachings on inner peace

Answer 8

1. ‘shalom’ (Hebrew - peace) state of contentment and wholeness
2. Core belief in a covenantal relationship with God which is maintained from adherent to the moral law (mitzvot)
3. Reinforced in Isaiah 32:17 which teaches how adherence to the law provides peace
4. Also supported in Talmudic reference Gittin 59b

Question 9

Recount Isaiah 32:17

Answer 9

Recount “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Question 10

Recount Gittin 59b

Answer 10

“The entire Torah is for the sake of the ways of shalom”

Question 11

Describe Jewish examples of inner peace

Answer 11

1. Shabbat: celebrated from Friday evening to Saturday evening every week (lev 23:3). Adherents practice rest and do not labour. Allows adherents to meditate on God and abstain from world desires.
2. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): adherents seek forgiveness for sins. Jews abstains from work, fast, and ‘afflict their souls’ as a reflection of their repentance. Also conduct acts of Tikkun Olam as a reflection of their true repentant heart.

Question 12

Describe the Jewish teaching on world peace

Answer 12

1. Hillel: Ethics of the Fathers 1:12
2. Belief in a divine Creator who created humanity in his image, adherent believe that all individuals are equal to God. (Genesis 1:27)
3. Tikkun Olam: restoration of the world. Adherents believe that humanity has a shared responsibility to repair and transform the world. Orthodox Jews believe that this will bring the Messiah sooner.

Question 13

Recount the Hillel (Ethics of the Fathers 1:12)

Answer 13

“Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace”

Question 14

Describe Jewish examples of world peace

Answer 14

1. Ronni Khan: established OzHarvest in 2004 to redistribute perishable food to the poor. Her desire to feed the poor reflects a belief in Tikkun Olam and desire to repair the world. Through her work, OzHarvest currently recovers 100 tonnes of food weekly.
2. Abraham Heshel was a 20th century Jewish theologian, rabbi and philosopher. He emphasised social actions as an expression of ethical concerns and contributed to social injustice issues such as protesting and engaging in interfaith dialogue through his work with Martin Luther King Jr in the US Civil Rights movement and ending US involvement in Vietnam