Modern Warfare

Question 1

What is war?

Answer 1

War is an attempt by one state to defend itself against another state or try to take something

Question 2

What is civil war?

Answer 2

Armed conflict between different groups within the same country

Question 3

What is terrorism?

Answer 3

Illegal use of violence and intimidation to pursue a political ideological idea

Question 4

Causes of war

Answer 4

Gain land
Defend an ally
Stop injustice
Defend from attack
Gain freedom

Question 5

Arguments for nuclear weapons

Answer 5

Good fear tactic
Self defence
Strong deterrent
People safer

Question 6

Arguments against nuclear weapons

Answer 6

Are an unreliable way for a state to protect itself
Threat of massed killings
Nuclear weapons are immoral

Question 7

What are the human costs of war?

Answer 7

The deaths of soldiers
Civilians will die as a result of war
War created refugees

Question 8

What is the economic cost of war

Answer 8

Money spent on war could be better spent somewhere else
War leads to a decline in tourism
Places of work are often destroyed leaving people without jobs

Question 9

What is a just war?

Answer 9

It’s a war which is declared for right and noble reasons and fought in a certain way. It’s a war that Christian’s believe to be necessary or ‘just’ in the circumstances.

Question 10

What are the conditions that Christians have for just war?

Answer 10

1. Whether or not war should be waged
2. If a war could be justified, and how it should be waged
3. The war must have a just cause
4. The war must be declared and controlled by a proper authority

Question 11

Why do some Christians support the just war theory?

Answer 11

When a war is fought to protect people, it could be seen as reflecting Jesus’ teaching: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” - Matthew 22:39

Question 12

What is a chemical weapon?

Answer 12

It’s a canister containing poisonous substance. When the canister is detonated, this poison contaminates a large area.

Question 13

What is a biological weapon?

Answer 13

The agent which is released is a harmful germ or virus. This means death is caused through an infectious disease.

Question 14

What are smart missiles?

Answer 14

They have a computer guidance system in the missile, and (in theory) they can be remotely controlled to a specific target, such as an army base.

Question 15

What is pacifism ?

Answer 15

Belief that war and violence are wrong and cannot be justified

Question 16

What is an absolute pacifist?

Answer 16

Believes that it’s never right to take part in war, even in self defence

Question 17

What is a selective pacifist?

Answer 17

Opposes only a certain type of war, such as one that involves weapons of mass destruction

Question 18

Biblical arguments for pacifism

Answer 18

1. Sanctity of life
2. War uses of valuable resources
3. Passive resistance and non violent protest is a better and more effective way to fight
4. Bible teaches that war and violence are wrong and to be avoided

Question 19

Arguments against pacifism

Answer 19

1. At risk of being bullied by those who do not have any ,oral objection to the use of violence.
2. Wrong to stand by and watch while others are attacked
3. Pacifism may work for individuals but impractical when applied to conflicts of nations