Peace, war justice Flashcards
Give 4 reasons why war should be a last resort
- In WW1 approx 10 million dead (chances of death/ serious injury on western front was 1 in 2)
- WW2 approx 55 million killed
- Average deaths per day due to war since WW2 1200
- Amount spent on arms in the world 34,000 peer second
What is the just war theory
What is acceptable (“just”) to engage in war?
Old Testament views on violence
Often the command to ‘go to war’ eg. Judges, Deuteronomy, Joel: “Beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears”
Also “thou shalt not kill” better translated “thou shalt not murder” (intentional killing for your own benefit)
2) But… peace is the ideal eg. Micah “..Beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
New testament views on violence
The message is of peace and forgiveness. Sermon on the Mount: peacemakers called “children of God”
eg. Matthew’s Gospel: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” Some Christians believe it is never right to use violence (Pacifists)
Non-violent means may include trade sanctions,
consclentious
peaceful negotiations, demos, marches, voting, fasting, etc…
What is apocalyptic warfare
It is war that would lead to catastrophic results and widespread destruction. This primarily refers to the use of nuclear weapons
How does the methodist church feel about nuclear weapons
They condemn the possible use of all weapons of mass destruction, however it does not condemn the possession of nuclear weapons as a deterrent
What are the Quakers views on apocalyptic weapons
They believe that there is no justification for nuclear, which alines with their teachings that Jesus advocated non-violence
Give a quote from the Church of England about nuclear weapons
“such weapons cannot be used without harming non combatants and could never be proportionate to the just cause and aim of war”
What is technological warfare
It is the use of developments in technology to advance weapons and means of engaging in war , for example the development of drones
What are some christian’s views on technological warfare
Many Christians are concerned about the use of drones during war because the attacks can be carried out remotely and this could reduce awareness of the human cost of war, moreover counties without drones could face much higher death toll
Give a quote from Robert George about technological warfare
“Having a valid military target is in itself not a sufficient justification for the use of weapons such as predator drones.”
What is the Presbyterian Church of Americas view on technological warfare
They acknowledge that the use of drones don’t go against the just war theory, but they could be used in a way they are. Drones may make going to war easier and less risky yet the make it harder to apply human judgment
Who came up with the just war theory
St. Thomas of Aquinas
Give the “Jus ad bellum” of the just war theory
- only be fought by officially recognised governments
- Be fought for a just reason
- be fought as a last resort
- be started with a formal decision
- Not to be fought if there is no hope of the country winning
What does “Jus ad bellum” mean
before war
Give the “jus in bello” of the just war theory
- Only involve a level of fighting that is appropriate to the aim of war (often taken to mean no ‘malum in se’ weapons e.g. nuclear)
- not involve innocent civilians in the fighting
What does ‘jus in bello’ mean
during war
Give the “jus post bellum” of the just war theory
- after the war, enemies should be treated humanely
What does “jus post bellum” mean
after war
Give 2 quotes about resolving and preventing war
- “Since wars begins in in the minds of men and women it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace should be built” UNESCO motto
- “You don’t put a gun on the stage without planning to use it” Oscar wilde (this can also apply to nuclear warfare)
Give examples of people following the just war theory
- Lieber code: Abraham Lincoln enforced the idea of treating prisoners humanely
- Geneva convention 1949
- Hague convention 1899: banning chemical warfare
- Nuremberg trials 1945: top ranking Nazis were put on trial and found guilty for war crimes
- International criminal court
Give a key example of apocalyptic warfare and give information about it
- Hiroshima, 6th August 1945
- Occurs toward the end of WWII
- It was seen as the Utilitarian cause by the american president
- single plane killed 80,000
- “I will never forget that fact that humans dropped an atomic bomb on other humans
- Some people refer to nuclear weapons as M.A.D. (mutually assured destruction)
-Britain’s nuclear submarines 1200 times the firepower of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima
What is a principled pacifist
Non-violence is correct because of you principles/ beliefs e.g. Quakers
What is a pragmatic pacifist
Uses pacifism when it is the most useful method
