Christianity: Religion, Peace and Conflict

Question 1

How does the relationship between Cain and Abel show the first use of violence?

Answer 1

Cain murders Abel

Question 2

What is the sixth Commandment?

Answer 2

‘You shall not murder’

Question 3

What causes some Christians to believe that the use of violence in war to defend people and nations is acceptable?

Answer 3

In parts of the Old Testament, God condones the use of violence within the context of wars

Question 4

Why do some Christians believe that it is wrong for Christians to be involved in politics?

Answer 4

God is sovereign and can be trusted

Question 5

State the way in which Christianity is involved in politics in the UK.

Answer 5

Voting is part of each Christian’s involvement in politics in the UK

Question 6

What beliefs do terrorists hold that cause them to act in the ways that they do?

Answer 6

1) their actions have the potential to force change

2) their use of terror is an appropriate response to the given situation or opposition

Question 7

What response does the Church of England accept as necessary as a last resort to dealing with terrorists?

Answer 7

The use of lethal weapons

Question 8

How does the Church believe some of the causes of terrorism can be combatted?

Answer 8

Creating stronger communities

Question 9

What is a just war?

Answer 9

A war that meets certain criteria which make it justifiable

Question 10

List the three areas that the just war theory covers

Answer 10

1) Jus ad bellum
2) Jus in bello
3) Jus post bellum

Question 11

What is jus ad bellum?

Answer 11

The consideration of whether it is right to go to war

Question 12

What is jus in bello?

Answer 12

The actions taken within a war, making sure the correct conduct is followed

Question 13

What is jus post bellum?

Answer 13

The actions taken after war

Question 14

What is holy war?

Answer 14

1) war that is believed to be fought on behalf of God and with his support
2) an argument that states that physical violence is sometimes necessary to defend religion

Question 15

What are the three elements of a holy war?

Answer 15

1) the achievement of a religious goal
2) being authorised by a religious leader, such as the pope
3) the promise of a spiritual reward for those who take part

Question 16

When was the last time that the Catholic Church called on its followers to fight in a holy war?

Answer 16

The Crusades

Question 17

What are the criteria for jus ad bellum?

Answer 17

1) the war must be started by the proper authority
2) the reason to go to war must be just
3) everything must be done to make sure good instead of evil results from the war
4) the war must be the last resort, every other way of solving the situation must have been tried and failed
5) the force used must be no more than is necessary to win, and civilians or those not posing a threat should not be targetted

Question 18

What is the aim of the rules of war?

Answer 18

To safeguard human life as far as possible

Question 19

Give some examples of a rule of war.

Answer 19

1) not allowing torture
2) use the necessary force to overcome the enemy
3) do not kill indiscriminately or kill when a lesser action would stop the enemy

Question 20

Why do many Christians oppose the use of excessive force?

Answer 20

It is incompatible with their faith

Question 21

Why are many Christians against the use of drones in war?

Answer 21

1) they can reduce the awareness of the human cost of war
2) one side involved in the war removes or reduces the death toll of combatants, while the side without the drones faces far greater death tolls

Question 22

What is pacifism?

Answer 22

The belief that there should be no use of military force whatsoever - whether the cause is just or not is irrelevant

Question 23

What teaching do Christians who hold a pacifist view focus on?

Answer 23

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44)

Question 24

What is conditional pacifism?

Answer 24

The bad consequences of war and violence make them unacceptable

Question 25

What denominations advocate pacifism?

Answer 25

1) Brethren
2) Ammish
3) Quakers

Question 26

When do the Catholic and Anglican churches accept the use of force?

Answer 26

As a last resort

Question 27

What does Jesus teach people to do before they point out the wrongdoing in the lives of others?

Answer 27

First deal with the wrongdoing in their own lives

Question 28

Who should each individual seek forgiveness from?

Answer 28

God

Question 29

What does Paul teach Christians to avoid doing?

Answer 29

Avoid responding to any situation with an attitude of revenge

Question 30

Give a Bible quote that supports Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness.

Answer 30

‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.’ (Matthew 6:14)

Question 31

What is social justice?

Answer 31

Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within society

Question 32

What are the benefits of a society that is just?

Answer 32

1) there are fewer reasons for people to be drawn into conflict
2) crime is punished appropriately
3) if the law can be trusted then people feel able to report concerns rather than taking the law into their own hands

Question 33

Describe the way in which Christians may respond to social injustice?

Answer 33

1) standing up for the weak or the oppressed
2) advocating the value and dignity of all human beings
3) aiming to achieve justice for all people

Question 34

What is liberation theology?

Answer 34

A Christian idea that God has the power to change situations in the world that are unjust