Peace and Conflict

Question 1

What is the definition of aggression?

Answer 1

attacking without being provoked

Question 2

What is the definition of bullying?

Answer 2

inimidating/frightening people weaker than yourself

Question 3

What is the definition of exploitation?

Answer 3

taking advantage of a weaker group

Question 4

What is the definition of forgiveness?

Answer 4

stopping blaming someone and/pardoning them for what they have done wrong

Question 5

What is the definition of just war?

Answer 5

a war which is fought for the right reasons and in a right way

Question 6

What is the definition of pacifism?

Answer 6

the belief that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means

Question 7

What is the definition of reconciliation?

Answer 7

bringing together people who were opposed to each other

Question 8

What is the definition of respect?

Answer 8

treating a person or their feelings with consideration

Question 9

What is the definition of the United Nations?

Answer 9

an international body set up to promote world peace and cooperation

Question 10

What is the definition of weapons of mass destruction?

Answer 10

weapons which can destroy large areas and numbers of people

Question 11

What is the definition of world peace?

Answer 11

the ending of war throughout the whole world (the basic aim of the United Nations)

Question 12

Why should Christians go to war?

Answer 12

• It might sometimes be the lesser of two evils and can be justified with the Just War Theory if the purpose is peace. Pope Benedict XVI said that in some cases, “defending oneself and others is a duty”.
• Jesus showed that Christians must stand up for what they believe in, shows when he overturned all the tables violently in The Cleansing of the Temple. Jesus said also “if you don’t have a sword, sell you clock and buy one”.
• St. Paul said that Christians should follow a governing authority’s orders - “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1).
• Jesus taught that people should obey the lawful government when he said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
• Some Christians have felt it necessary to fight, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer changing his mind and deciding that even he, a pacifist, must use violence.

Question 13

Why should Christians not go to war?

Answer 13

• Jesus preached pacifism: “Do not resist those who wrong you” (Matthew 5:39); “Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors” (Matthew 5:44); “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, then and offer him the other also” (Matthew 5:39); “Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God’s children” (Matthew 5:9).
• The teachings of famous people in the church, such as Martin Luther King, who said “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence”.
• The Quakers are a pacifist Christian denomination - “we utterly deny all outward wars and strife; and fighting with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatsoever”.
• Biblical teachings against violence and destruction - “You shall not murder” (The Decalogue, Exodus 20:13)

Question 14

How does the UN work to promote world peace?

Answer 14

• Arms control and disarmament - the UN has negotiated several treaties between countries to reduce the number and type of weapons (especially weapons of mass destruction). Examples include the Arms Trade Treaty, enforced in December 2014, which regulates the trade in conventional arms and weapons.
• Organising peace talks - the UN negotiates with different parties within a conflict and communicates the issues between sides, as well as arranging for leaders of sides to meet and discuss their issues face-to-face. An example is in 2004 when the Sudanese government met with the UN Secretary General to agree to Peace talks with anti-government groups in Darfur.
• Trade restrictions - the UN can arrange for certain goods not to be sold in aggressive countries until the country resolves the dispute. Example is the UN threatening to impose sanctions on things including oil trade in Sudan, which caused the government in Sudan to make some compromises.
• Peacekeeping forces - soldiers can be sent to countries in conflict to keep violence to a minimum and protect innocent civilians by providing basic necessary items (e.g. food and water). Example is after the Haiti earthquake and the UN came and gave medical aid during a cholera outbreak.
• Military action - the UN can use armed force against aggressive countries if things become very bad. Example is in 1991 when a UN force managed to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

Question 15

Why should Muslims go to war?

Answer 15

• There are Muslim conditions for a just war (lesser Jihad): if Islam is being attacked or people are suffering injustice (self-defence); authorisation and leadership is from a Muslim authority; it is a last resort; fought to cause minimum suffering; innocent civilians aren’t attacked; the war is ended as soon as the enemy surrenders.
• A Muslim is obliged to fight if it is: self-defence; strengthening Islam; protecting freedom of Muslims to practise their faith; protecting Muslims against oppression (overthrowing a tyrannical ruler); punishing an enemy who breaks an oath; putting right a wrong.
• The Qur’an says that Muslims killed during a holy war will be martyrs and sent to paradise. The Qur’an also states “fight for the sake of God those who fight against you”.
• The Prophet Muhammad fought in the Battle of Badr, which is said to be key in aiding the struggles of Islam, and this battle is one of the few battles mentioned in the Qur’an. Muhammad made many statements about how Muslims must fight in just wars.

Question 16

Why should Muslims not go to war?

Answer 16

• The word ‘Islam’ means peace: “Islam is not in favour of wars. One meaning of the word Islam is peace”(Ruqaiyyah Maqsood). Muslims greet each other with “Salaam aleikum” which means “may peace be with you”.
• The Muslim peace fellowship is a charity devoted to non-violence in Islam. Its motto is “Whatever act of violence has just taken place, we deplore it”. It is “dedicated to making the beauty of Islam evident in the world”.
• Muslims cannot be for modern wars as nowadays it is likely that nuclear weapons would be involved, which would kill innocent civilians (not allowed in Islam).
• Muslims must distance themselves from the violent acts of terrorists, such as Al Qaeda and Boko Haram - the Qur’an does not allow these types of killings: “Kill not the emaciated old, not the young children, nor the women”(Hadith). In Nairobi however many young children were killed.
• The Qur’an teaches against killing - “if any one killed a person, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind”.

Question 17

Why do wars occur?

Answer 17

• Patriotism - example in Darfur (West Sudan) because people there want it to be an independent country so that they can rule it themselves but the government doesn’t want that.
• Economic reasons - a country may want to invade another country because it has access to resources which would make them a lot of money. Iraq invaded Kuwait for its oil.
• Religious differences - different religion fight each other, such as the Crusades when Christianity and Islam fought over the Holy Land.
• Protection - some groups might need to fight against other people who are being exploited, or if a country is being attacked. For example, the UK and the US bombed Serbia because there was ethnic cleansing happening in Kosovo.

Question 18

Why is the Just War Theory important?

Answer 18

• Helps to limit the number of civilian casualties and nuclear weapons because one of the conditions of a Just War is that only necessary force must be used to achieve the aim (proportionality).
• Limits the number of military deaths because one of the conditions is that there must be a reasonable chance of success.
• Limits the number of wars fought for illegitimate causes, because one of the conditions is that it must be fought for a just cause (e.g. resisting aggression).
• Ensures that wars are fought with the right intention (to bring about good) because one of the conditions is that there must be a just intention.

Question 19

How do religious organisations work to promote world peace?

Answer 19

• Pax Christi holds workshops in countries (e.g. Croatia and Poland) on issues such as transformative justice to help countries restore peace and reconcile.
• Pax Christi publishes collections of stories of how people respond in faith to violence. These inspire people to respond to violence in peaceful ways which they may not have heard of before.
• Pax Christi campaigned with other organisations for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (World Court) on the illegality of nuclear weapons.
• Pax Christi raises awareness of issues by campaigning for problems such as the lack of bread in Syria - encouraged people to fast in solidarity during the ‘Bread is Life’ campaign.

Question 20

What opinions do Christians have against bullying?

Answer 20

• Christianity is against all forms of bullying because humans are made in the image of God - “So god created mankind in his own image”. Christians would not want to cause harm to God.
• Christians can use Jesus’ teachings to show that bullying is wrong, such as the Golden Rule, “Love one another as I have loved you”, the parable of the Good Samaritan and “love your enemy”.
• Jesus can be seen as a role model against bullying. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless”. Jesus interacted with the mentally ill, disabled, prostitutes, tax collected and Romans.
• All Christina’s believe that after death they will be judged by God and the parable of the sheep and the goats shows how God treated those who did not treat other well.

Question 21

What are examples of how the Church is involved in “bullying”?

Answer 21

• Treatment of homosexuals where the Russian Orthodox Church with politicians put laws in place discriminating against homosexuals.
• Women - by not allowing women to speak in church or become priests and bishops the church is bullying them.

Question 22

Why is forgiveness important in Islam?

Answer 22

• The teachings of the Qur’an show Muslims that they must forgive as Allah teaches and does himself. “Whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah”. “So pardon and overlook until Allah delivers His command”.
• Muhammad can be used as an example for Muslims to follow: after he captured the city of Mecca he said to its leaders “You are all free”, showing Muslims that mercy and forgiveness are not signs of weakness and that they are important.
• On the day of judgment Allah will judge Muslims and Muslims go to Mount Arafat during Hajj to pray and repent of their sins and seek forgiveness from Allah. If they can be forgiven then, they should forgive others.
• Muslims are part of the Ummah (Muslim brotherhood), so good relationships and reconciliation are required - “Allah will not show mercy to one who does not show mercy to others” (Hadith).

Question 23

Why is forgiveness important in Christianity?

Answer 23

• Jesus taught his followers to forgive others “seventy times seven” times. Jesus said “Father, forgive the, for they do not know what they are doing.”
• Jesus interacted with those ‘cast out’ of society, such as interacting with prostitutes, lepers and tax collectors. Jesus also forgave the adulterous woman.
• The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church teaches forgiveness, saying, “Forgiveness is the fundamental condition of the children of God with their Father and of men with one another.” If Christians want to be forgiven, they should forgive others.
• By following the actions of Christians such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, they can form a good relationship with God. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and people made statements on their suffering. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that reconciliation “cost God the death of his own son”.

Question 24

Why are Muslims against bullying?

Answer 24

• Bullying is a form of injustice and therefore Muslims should fight against it as their duty. “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoying what is right, and forbidding what is wrong.”
• Islam teaches that all Muslims and brothers and sisters in the Ummah and therefore Muslims should treat everyone else with respect. “Allah will not show mercy to one who does not show mercy to others”.
• Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment Allah will judge them, so each Muslim should ensure that they have acted justly because in the Qur’an it says “Allah loves those who act justly”.
• The Qur’an teaches that all Muslims are equal and that no one should mistreat Allah’s creation.
• The Qur’an teaches “And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames”.

Question 25

What is the definition of conflict resolution?

Answer 25

bringing a fight or struggle to a peaceful conclusion