Peace and Conflict

Question 1

Explain 2 beliefs about reconciliation

Answer 1

• Muslims believe “Whoever makes reconciliation, their reward is from God” - so as Allah so strongly encourages it, it must be critical for achieving place in jannah
• Christians - “God reconciled himself to us through Christ” = inspired by this act of atonement on cross. Jesus is the Incarnate Son of God = ultimate role model

Question 1

2 REASONS VIOLENCE WRONG
2 REASONS WHY IT IS JUSTIFIABLE

Answer 1

• JC pacifist who said to turn the other cheek - ultimate exemplar as God incarnate
• Every human is made ‘imago dei’ = should be treated with respect as all life is sacred
• Jesus violently protested against the commercialisation of the temple. He ‘overturned the tables’ of the money changers = certain circumstances use of violent protest acceptable.
• Violence justified for self-defence or to defend the religion –** ‘fight in the way of God those who fight you’. **
  Muhammad fought in Just Wars, he is Islamic exemplar, Islam would not exist if he didn’t fight for Islam

Question 2

Christian Aid 2 bullet points

Answer 2

• Help the world’s most vulnerable (recovery for war victims) by following Jesus’ example.
• Inspired by belief everyone is made in God’s image.

Question 3

3 reasons why Muslims work for peace

Answer 3

• The Qur’an teaches to **‘say words of peace’ **
• The Qur’an teaches ‘God created you from a single soul’ – people should live in harmony to strengthen ummah
• Muslims believe they are khalifahs = keep world peaceful and unharmed

Question 4

3 FOR WMD

Answer 4

• Christians - “follow the law of the land” = should support the government’s policy of having nuclear weapons as a deterrent
• Old Testament ‘an eye for an eye’ could justify retaliating with nuclear weapons if another country uses them first. But it does not say “many eyes for an eye”
• Muslims - justified as self-defence in Holy War. Surah 2 says to ‘fight in the way of God those who fight you’.

Question 5

5 AGAINST WMD

Answer 5

• Not proportionate and targets innocent civilians. (Aquinas). Their cannot be justified by JWT.
• 10 Commandments say ‘do not kill’. Also link to sanctity of life (Genesis 1:27).
• Surah 2 teaches ‘do not transgress’ when fighting in a Holy War – Nuclear Weapons do! Mass death never ordained by A
• Both Christians and Muslims - destroy the environment, going against stewardship – **‘God has appointed you his stewards’ **(Hadith).
• Utilitarians + Humanists

Question 6

4 criteria for JW

Answer 6

CRITERIA FOR JUST WAR

• HAS A JUST CAUSE
• LAST RESORT
• INNOCENT CIVILIANS NOT TARGETED
• FORCE MUST BE PROPORTIONATE

Question 7

2 FOR HOLY WARS

Answer 7

• Prophet Muhammad fought in Holy Wars. He is the ‘perfect man’ and the key role model for Muslims.
  ** ‘Fight in the way of God those who fight you’ **
• Christians must be prepared to fight in Holy Wars for the sake of Christianity and against evil - WW2

Question 8

3 AGAINST HOLY WARS

Answer 8

• Quakers pacifists like JC - ‘blessed are the peacemakers’
• All life is sacred and belongs to God – do not kill!
• M had to fight for Islam but in modern society not possible due to threat of WMD - ultimately Islam is peace

Question 9

The concept of a holy war is a contradiction. Killing large numbers…

Answer 9

…surely cannot have any religious inspiration and ordainment by an omnib God