Justice, peace and Pacifism Flashcards
What is justice?
Restorative Justice - Seeking out vulnerable people and helping them
Reformative justice - paying consequences for wring
What does the Bible say about justice?
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream” - Amos (justice should be continuos)
“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” - Proverbs
What do Buddhists say about justice?
Buddhism teaches that people should show compassion to all people, and by unfair treatment of offenders in the name of reformative justice does not help the offenders
Refrain from killing in the name of justice doesn’t help
What do Buddhists say about justice?
Buddhism teaches that people should show compassion to all people, and by unfair treatment of offenders in the name of justice isn’t good
Refrain from bad speech - gossiping isn’t just
Refrain from sexual misconduct - rape isn’t just
What is peace?
A lack of conflict or war
What does the Bible say about peace?
“Put away your sword, those who live by the sword die by the sword” - Jesus
“Love your enemies and pray for them” - Jesus
“Blessed are the peacemakers” - Jesus
What do Buddhists say about peace?
Believes that peace comes from the mind, therefore peace in the world comes from all people developing peace in themselves through meditation and following the teachings of the Buddha
Pacifism
The belief of not causing any war or form of violence
Different types of pacifism
Absolute pacifism - all human life is precious so there is never a justification for killing
Conditional pacifism - violence is wrong in principle, but is sometimes the lesser of 2 evils and can be justified
Selective pacifism - some types of war is acceptable (just war) but some aren’t that use excessive force
Active pacifism - get involved in politics to favor peace negotiations
Quakers attitudes to pacifism
One of the few denominations that strongly support it
Other Christian attitudes to pacifism
Most Christians degree as they believe in the idea of just war, that under certain circumstances violence is necessary
What does the Bible say against absolute pacifism?
“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away” - Luke
Buddhist attitudes towards pacifism
Most strongly promote it
They practise non violent protest for oppression
Peace comes from the inner mind from meditating
What do Buddhist teachings say about pacifism?
“Refrain from killing or harming living things”
“Right action” don’t harm or cause harm to others in your actions
