Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Jesus’ teaching on violence
The seeds of biterness, anger and jealosy need to be controlled, as they may lead to violence and murder.
Cain and Able story
- Cain was jealous of his brother Abel
- God said to Cain “sin is lurking at the door … you must master it” (Genesis)
- Cain’s anger led to violence
- Cain plotted to kill his brother
- “Cain rose up against his brother Abel, ans killed him”
- God said to Cain “your brother’s blood is crying out to me grom the ground”
Quote showing Jesus’ belief of anger
‘In the sermon of the mound, Jesus took the commandment “do not kill”, one step further, and said you should not even get angry.” (Matthew 5)
Quote on bullying
“But no human can tame the toungue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3)
Biblical teachings on forgiveness
- Jesus forgsve Peter for denying him (John 21)
- message of parable of Unforgiving Servant
- when Peter asks how many times he should forgive his brother’ Not seven times, but “seventy-seven times”
What is reconciliation
Restoring of harmony after relationships have been brocken down.
Pope Francis calls for reconciliation
It leads to peace that Jesus prayed for at Last Supper
Beliefe of injustice
Can cause people to lose their sense pf self-worth and self-respect.
Amos 5: quote on justice
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”
Righteous anger as a respons to injustice
Jesus shows rightcheos angers when hendrove the sellers from the Temple as they had turned it into a market space (John 2). Some Christians believe it is acceptavle as it can be controlled and chanelled.
Example of Church showing anger
Church took part in protest that lead to violence against the Democratic Republic of Congo
Just war theory quote by Jesus
‘The one who has no sword must sell his cloak and but one”
Conditions for just war:
- must be last resort
- must have just cause (self defence)
- must be a reasonable chance of winning and brining peace
- must be declared by a legitimate authority
- only proportiinal force used
- innocent civilians not attacked
Catholic attitudes to nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction
1: they are completely indiscriminate and jave long term effects
2: they are totally disproportionate to any success
3: posibility of success is small as there aee no ‘victors, only victims’ (Pope Benedict)
4: cost of reasearch, nuilding and maintaining weapons in gresr
4: possession of these weapons increases tension and fear, making the world less safe
Three main consequences of modern warfare
- civilian casualties
- redugees
- environmental damage
Quote for no civilian casualties
‘Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must ne respected and treated humanely. CCC
Quotes for supporting refugees by Pope Francis
“May every parish, every religious community, evert monastery, every sancutary in Europe host a family”
Catholic Churhces response to environmental damage
As stewards of the earth, people have a responsibility to limit any damage done to the environment.
CATHOLIC ORGANISATIONS WORKING FOR PEACE:
Paxi Christi - Works in 50 countries and involves at an early stafe of a conflict to encourage people in order to solve disputes.
Justice and Peace Commision - Works in England and Wales focuses on treating people with respect and campaigns for the removal of nuclear weapons.
Two Catholic agencies that help victims of war:
CAFOD - Set up orphanages and rehabilitation to help children forced to become child soldiers in Syria Leone. They also help refugees
Aid to the Church - Provide equipment for refugees fleeing Syria
Causes for war:
Politics, economics, religion, gain of land/recources, self-defence
Examples of holy wars
Crusades, troubles in northen ireland
Quote for violence in the OT
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Exodus)
Holy war
One that is approved by a religious authority e.g. the Pope.
It is believes those who take part will gain spiritual rewards.
Jesus’ teaching on pacifism quote
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also”
“All those who take the sword will perish by the sword”
The Quakers
Promote pacifism and acred as stretcher-beares in WW1….
Catholic teaching on pacifism
“The Churhc strives for peace bug does not preach redical pacifm”.
Efforts of Pope for peace
Pope Francis has tried to bringd about peaceful sllutions to areas of conflict. “War is madness”. In 2013 Pope Francis urged people to pray for peace in eastern Ukraine. In 2014 Pope organised meetin gof prayer between president of Israel and Palestine.
Example of religious terrorists
Jewish Maccabees respted to violent terrorist attacks trying to force them to give up their religion.
Terrorism in Britain
IRA
Islamist extremists
Catholic view of terrorism
The Catholic Church does not accept terrorists who die in the name of religion as martyrs. The Bible makes it clear that a state of terror goes against the state of peace that God wishes for all people. “Terrorism threatens… it is gravely against justice and charity” (CCC)
Reasons why Church opposes Torture
Its illegal
Denies victim basic human rights (sanctity of life)
Catholics see it as always wrong and inhuman
Quote for torture
“Torture which uses physical or moral violence … is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity” CCC
What is radicalisation
Adopting extreme views tending to take place among younger people who feel rejected by their society or religion
Prevention of radicalisation
Schools leafsly have to stop people from being drawn into terrorism.
Some people say that radicalisation is the fault of individuals or groups, who must be stopped.
Others say society must stop people feeling left out using education system.
Quote for Chrsitan maytres
“A christican martyr is a person who is ready to suffer violence or even to be killed for Christ”
Jesus’ teaching of martyrs
“If any want to become my followers … take up their cross and follow me”
Biblical teaching pn peacemaking
Bible teaches that an end to war will be a sign pf God’s kingdom having come on earth, so we should work to help solve conflicts, “live in pesce; and the God of love and peace will be with you”
Examples of people using non-violence resistance
Matin Luther King
Gandhi (a Hindu)
