Nuclear War and WMDs Flashcards
What are WMDs?
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) include nuclear weapons, chemical weapons (for example nerve gas) and biological weapons (releasing viruses into the air, water supply or food chain). The idea is to kill vast numbers of people. Although chemical weapons might be designed for use against soldiers on the battlefield, they are indiscriminate, and will kill any civilians in the area. Nuclear and biological weapons are designed deliberately to target civilians.
Why are they necessary for peace?
Some people argue that nuclear weapons are necessary for peace. They refer to ‘mutually assured destruction’ (MAD). Their argument is that countries will be too afraid of war because they know that if they use nuclear warheads, the opposing side will be able to retaliate before they are hit. The result will be obliteration on both sides.
Arms race
• MAD has led to a proliferation (rapid increase in the number) of nuclear weapons, in what we call the ‘arms race’. During the Cold War America and Russia competed with each other to develop ever more sophisticated weaponry, and once one side developed something new, the other side felt it must create something even more deadly. The result is that we now live in a world full of terrifying warheads trained on targets across the globe.
Why do Christians oppose nuclear weapons?
Many Christians oppose nuclear weapons because they do not fulfil the criteria for Just War As many countries develop nuclear weapons, it is difficult to keep the criteria of proportionate use of weapons, as WMDs are designed to deliberately target millions of civilians.
How do nuclear weapons break the criteria for peace?
Nuclear weapons also break the criteria of the aim being peace, as it will take many years for a country to recover from a nuclear attack, and radio-active fall-out will cause cancers, deformed babies; farmland will be contaminated so no food can be grown, water will be contaminated and so on.
CCND
Christians may join CCND (Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) which aims to bring about a signed agreement committing the world to the permanent elimination of nuclear weapons according to a fixed timetable.
Terrorists
Others argue that we should not keep nuclear weapons because they could be a target for terrorists.
Adam and Eve scripture
When Adam and Eve were given dominion in Genesis they were told to rule over the earth. Nuclear weapons cause decades of damage to the environment and destroy the habitats of many species. This is not good stewardship.
Jesus teaching
Jesus said ‘Those who live by the sword die by the sword’. Many Christians argue that if we rely on nuclear weapons to defend ourselves then those weapons can be turned against us.
What are humans made in the image of?
Humans are ‘made in the image of God’ - such widescale loss of life is surely wrong.
Ten Commandments
In the Ten Commandments it says ‘Do not kill’.
