7 - Peace And Conflict

Question 0

Factors leading to Darfur conflict

Answer 0

Economic/environmental - food/water shortages causes movement south
Long-standing ethnic hatred - government accused of persecuting non-Arabs
National Pride - some of anti-government forces want south to be independent, government don’t
Remote location - took long time for other countries to find out - thousands already dead

Question 1

Causes of war

Answer 1

Self defence, economics/natural resources, fear, national pride, fighting against injustice, racial/ethnic hatred, protection from persecution

Question 2

How did the UN help in Darfur?

Answer 2

Negotiation - formed agreement with Sudanese government to stop conflict, got both sides to talk
Sanctions - stopped several countries trading achieved some response from Sudan government
Peacekeeping Forces - had some success in protecting civilians but also come under attack
Success/failure? Managed to stem no. Of killings and organise more peace talks, peace still not achieved and intervention too late to prevent mass killings

Question 3

What does the World Council of Churches do to promote world peace?

Answer 3

Founded in 1948, programme to combat racism, encourages peace talks, teaches forgiveness, encourages reconciliation, unites all Christians

Question 4

What does Pax Christi do to promote work peace?

Answer 4

Founded in 1945, Catholic organisation, encourages talks between governments, works for social justice

Question 5

How does Islamic Relief promote world peace?

Answer 5

Help victims of war, worked in Bosnia, Iraq and Somalia

Question 6

How does the Muslim Peace Fellowship promote world peace?

Answer 6

Works against injustice, promotes interfaith talks, aims to bring world peace, “whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved all of mankind”

Question 7

Criteria for just war

Answer 7

Reasonable chance of success, fought with the aim of bringing peace, last resort after negotiations and non-violent methods, methods used are fair and reasonable, cause is just e.g. Injustice, no innocent civilians will be killed

Question 8

Christians for just war theory

Answer 8

Jesus taught to obey government, St Paul taught to obey authority, could be lesser of two evils, right to have armed forces for protection

Question 9

Bible teachings against war

Answer 9

Bible has message of peace, Jesus was the “Prince of Peace”
“Blessed are the peacemakers”
“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”
“Love your enemies”
“For all who draw the sword will die by the sword”

Question 10

Christians for pacifism

Answer 10

Decalogue - “thou shall not kill”

“love they enemies” Jesus stopped his followers from using violence, nuclear weapons cause unimaginable suffering

Question 11

Muslims against war

Answer 11

Peace and reconciliation are heart of Islam and heart of Qur’an’s teachings, modern weapons can’t be used without hurting people, non-violence is the only way to achieve peace, violence only leads to more violence

Question 12

Muslims for war

Answer 12

Qur’an teaches right if attacked, Muhammad fought in wars, Muhammad taught Muslims should fight in just wars, Qur’an teaches anyone who dies in a just war will go to heaven

Question 13

Lesser Jihad

Answer 13

If just cause - defend Islam, as a last resort, if authorised by Muslim authority, minimum amount of suffering caused, ends when enemy surrenders, innocent civilians are not attacked, when the aim is to restore peace and freedom

Question 14

Christians against bullying

Answer 14

Violence without cause is against Christian teachings, seen as mistreating God’s creation, Jesus taught that people should love one another, golden rule, everyone should be treated with respect, weak and vulnerable need to be looked after, bible teaches that God will take action against cruel behaviour, judgement after death

Question 15

Muslims against bullying

Answer 15

Judgement day, Muhammad taught to protect weak and vulnerable, wrong to abuse Allah’s creation, Islam teaches violence without cause is wrong, Islam teaches Muslims should work to end cruelty

Question 16

Causes of conflict within religious families

Answer 16

Jobs - might not fit with religious teachings e.g. Being a doctor
Boyfriend/girlfriend - could be a different faith
Social behaviour - drinking, socialising with boys/girls
Moral issues - cohabiting, abortion
Raising children - older generations may hold different views

Question 17

Christianity and family conflicts

Answer 17

Christianity teaches that children should “honour thy mother and father”parents should care for their children and support them

Question 18

Islam and family conflicts

Answer 18

No child should cause harm to their parents and parents should care for their children, Muslims should try to obey their parents even in adulthood and respect the wisdom they offer

Question 19

Christians for forgiveness

Answer 19

Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation between humanity and God, Jesus taught to forgive others and Christians should do this even when it’s difficult, “love your enemies” “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him…”

Question 20

Muslim teachings on forgiveness

Answer 20

Judgement day - Allah will show mercy to those who have forgiven, Muhammad taught people should forgive, Allah - “the compassionate and the merciful” he forgives people, “if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God”