7 - Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Factors leading to Darfur conflict
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
Causes of war
Self defence, economics/natural resources, fear, national pride, fighting against injustice, racial/ethnic hatred, protection from persecution
How did the UN help in Darfur?
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
What does the World Council of Churches do to promote world peace?
Founded in 1948, programme to combat racism, encourages peace talks, teaches forgiveness, encourages reconciliation, unites all Christians
What does Pax Christi do to promote work peace?
Founded in 1945, Catholic organisation, encourages talks between governments, works for social justice
How does Islamic Relief promote world peace?
Help victims of war, worked in Bosnia, Iraq and Somalia
How does the Muslim Peace Fellowship promote world peace?
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”
Criteria for just war
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
Christians for just war theory
Jesus taught to obey government, St Paul taught to obey authority, could be lesser of two evils, right to have armed forces for protection
Bible teachings against war
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”
Christians for pacifism
Decalogue - “thou shall not kill”
“love they enemies” Jesus stopped his followers from using violence, nuclear weapons cause unimaginable suffering
Muslims against war
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
Muslims for war
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
Lesser Jihad
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
Christians against bullying
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
Muslims against bullying
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
Causes of conflict within religious families
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
Christianity and family conflicts
Christianity teaches that children should “honour thy mother and father”parents should care for their children and support them
Islam and family conflicts
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
Christians for forgiveness
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…”
Muslim teachings on forgiveness
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”
