Peace and Conflict Flashcards
What is violence?
Using actions that can threaten or harm others.
What are christian beliefs on violence and anger?
- Christians believe that God made the world ‘very good’.
- Christians believe that anger is an integral part of human nature, and that if not controlled, it can lead to violence.
- For Christians, violence is the rejection of the ideals God wants for the world.
- Christians believe that violence should nearly always be avoided.
What Biblical story teaches christians about violence?
Cain and Abel (Genesis 4: 5-1)
What is the story of Cain and Abel?
- Cain and Abel were the children of Adam and Eve.
- Cain was jealous of his brother Abel and his angry thoughts led to him killing Abel.
- When Cain killed Abel he rejected God’s ideals and God says “What have you done?”
What are 2 quotes about anger and peace?
“If the seeds of bitterness, anger and jealousy are not controlled…. they will destroy relationships between people…” - CCC
“Peace I leave you, my peace I give you” (John 14: 27).
What is bullying?
A form of violence that deliberately intimidates a person through words or physical actions.
What bible quote refers to bullying?
“But no one can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” - James 3
Message: Choose to use your actions and words in a positive way. For “blessing”, not for “cursing.”
What are the effects of bullying?
- Destroys recipient’s self-esteem.
- Gives recipient a sense of powerlessness.
- Forces recipient to live in a state of fear.
- Can lead to physical self-harm and even suicide.
What is forgiveness?
Showing grace and mercy; pardoning someone for what they have done wrong.
What role does forgiveness play in Jesus’ teachings?
Forgiveness is a central message in Jesus’ teachings:
- When being nailed to the cross, he forgave his executionists, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.
- After the resurrection, he forgave Peter for his denial of him.
What bible quote from Matthew talks about forgiveness?
“Forgive us as we have done wrong, as we forgove the wrongs done onto us.”(Matthew 6:12).
What did Jesus famously say to Peter on how may times he should forgive?
“Not 7 times, but I tell you, 70 x 7 times”
Meaning: You should forgive infinitely.
What are the disadvantages/limits of Forgiveness?
- You can never tell if the person is truly sorry.
- Bitterness and anger, if supressed, could lead to violence.
- Only God can forgive infinitely.
- You can only forgive if the person is around or alive.
What are the benefits of Forgiveness?
- Allows the forgiven to move on with their life.
- Benefits mental health on both sides.
- Justice is about forgiveness and not punishment.
- Enables forgiver to let go of pain.
- One of the ‘Kingdom values’ for establishing God’s Kingdom on earth.
What is reconciliation?
The restoring of harmony after the breakdown of a relationship.
Also a sacrament in the Catholic Church.
What bible quote refers to reconciliation/making peace?
“…go at once and make peace with your brother” - Matthew 5
What does Pope Francis teach about reconciliation?
“Without reconciliation, there can be no peace, and without peace, people will live unsecure lives in fear.”
What 6 things does reconciliation bring?
1) Learning from the past.
2) A more peaceful future.
3) A respect for other people’s beliefs.
4) An opportunity to live without violence.
5) Appreciation and acceptance of others.
6) A stronger relationship.
What is justice?
Bringing about what is right and fair according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed.
What is injustice?
A lack of justice.
What does the Catholic Church teach about justice?
-They teach that creating justice is important for all christians because it is essential to spreading God’s Kingdom (authority and rule) on earth - one of the ‘Kingdom values’.
What Old Testament quote from Amos talks about justice?
“let justice flow like a stream and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.”
Meaning: Don’t be distracted by other things and actively fight for justice, freedom and righteousness.
What is righteous anger?
Anger against an injustice; some christians use the term to describe anger that they believe is acceptable.
What are Christian beliefs about righteous anger in repsonse to injustice?
Some christians believe that in *certain situations, righteous anger can be used to help bring about justice.
*should be a last resort
When did Jesus show righteous anger?
When he drove the sellers from the Temple.
What does the Catholic Church teach about violent protest? Where did the church support violent protesters?
- Peaceful protest should be exasperated.
- But, in order to prevent a greater injustice, it is acceptable for violence to be used to bring an end to that injustice.
E.g the catholic church supported violent protesters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, against a government who were unjustly delaying elections.
What was the Apartheid in South Africa?
The Apartheid was a system of government that segregated black and white people. It was a system in South Africa from 1948 to 1990 that heavily oppressed the human and civil rights of black south africans.
What is Nelson Mandela’s story? How did Mandela put an end to the Apartheid?
Imprisonment:
- Mandela took part in several bombings of important places and as a result was sentenced to life in prison.
- He remained in prison for 27 years and endured long periods of solitary confinement and torture.
- During this time, Mandela had become the focal point for a global campaign to put an end to the apartheid regime.
Release:
- In 1990, Mandela was released.
- He took part in negotiations that ended the racist apartheid system.
- He became South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
- He won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- He will forever be known as one of the most significant civil rights activists of all time.
What did Mandela famously say about education?
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
How did Martin Luther King influence the fight for the civil rights of black people in America?
- Martin Luther King peacefully protested and led the civil rights movement from 1960.
- They protested the segregated bus stops, toilets and restaurants.
- They protested about police harassment and violence and the fact that black people weren’t allowed to vote.
- King’s motivation was to achieve an equal society and to stop the persecution and prejudice of black american citizens.
How do Martin Luther King’s actions influence Christians today?
King showed the world that civil rights for black people could be achieved by non-violent methods.
Counter-point: Racial discrimination continued and still exists today.
What is war?
Armed conflict between countries or groups within a country.
What 3 quotes summarise the Old Testament’s view on war?
Overall the Old Testament supports war:
- “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”
- “The Lord is a warrior”
- “The Lord is on your side”
What 3 quotes summarise the New Testament’s view on war?
Overall the New Testament is against war:
- “Love your neighbour”
- “Blessed are the peacemakers” - one of the beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
- “Put your sword away”
Why might countries/groups go to war?
- To gain power
- To gain land
- To gain resources (e.g oil)
- To defend innocent people
- Retaliation / Revenge
- To stop a dictator / defend human rights
- To defend allies
- Political differences
- Religious differences
- Self-defence
What is the Just War Theory?
A set of criteria that a war needs to meet before it can be justified - devised by St Thomas Aquinas.
(Theory - not a law!!!!!)
What are the aims of the Just War Theory?
To limit the use of war and to remember the humanity of the enemy.