Perspectives on justice, forgiveness And Just War

Question 1

Social justice

Answer 1

What is right and fair (according to the law).

Question 2

Apartheid

Answer 2

A system of government which allows total segregation of black and white people.

Question 3

Conditions for a just war

Answer 3

Proper authority-war must be declared and controlled by a proper authority.

Just cause-there must be a good reason for going to war.

Right intention-the reason for going to war must be to do good and overcome evil.

Last resort-peaceful methods of sorting out the problem should have been tried first.

Proportionality-the benefits of going to war must be greater than the harm it will cause.

Reasonable chance of success-it must be possible to win.

Discrimination-civilians cannot be made targets.

Proportionality-the force used should be the force required to win.

Question 4

Pacifism

Answer 4

The belief that the war or violence is wrong and should not be used.

Question 5

Christian views in support of war

Answer 5

‘Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors’

‘Life for life, eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’

Question 6

Human rights

Answer 6

Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

Question 7

Capital punishment

Answer 7

The death penalty for a crime.

Question 8

Amnesty international

Answer 8

An organisation which campaigns to end abuses of human rights across the globe.

Question 9

Catholic views on nuclear war

Answer 9

The Catholic Church is against the use of nuclear weapons.

Question 10

Nuclear war

Answer 10

War that makes use of nuclear weapons.

Question 11

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

Answer 11

Weapons that can kill large numbers of people/cause great damage.

Question 12

Chemical weapons

Answer 12

Weapons that use chemicals to harm humans and the natural environment.

Question 13

Biological weapons

Answer 13

Weapons that use living organisms to cause disease or death.

Question 14

Terrorism

Answer 14

The unlawful use of violence, usually against innocent civilians, to achieve political goals.

Question 15

Torture

Answer 15

Severe physical or mental pain.

Question 16

Radicalisation

Answer 16

Adopting extreme views on religious, social or political issues. It can lead to terrorism. Can be caused by specific groups or individuals.

Question 17

Martyrdom

Answer 17

Someone who is killed because of their faith. The Catholic Church valued martyrs but it does not accept that people who kill themselves in suicide bombings are martyrs

Question 18

Oscar Romero- Christian martyr 1917-1980

Answer 18

He was a priest who was sent to El Salvador by Pope.
El Salvador in 1970s- Country ruled by 14 wealthy families who controlled the army. Anyone who spoke up against them was killed. Most people had no education and were very poor.

A priest was assassinated. Romero stood up and said this wasn’t right. He also stood up for the poor people. He spoke out on the radio. He requested that US don’t send aid to corrupt El Salvador.

October 1978- received Nobel Peace prize

Assassinated himself in 1980 ‘ may God have mercy on my assassin’

He died for his belief that humans should be treated well.

Question 19

Consequences of modern war

Answer 19

1. Refugees- people who have been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution or natural disaster
2. Civilian casualties - innocent people die
3. Environmental damage - pollution, rubbish etc
   ‘ The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it’ so we should look after it

Question 20

Role of religion in conflicts

Answer 20

To support victims of war and help people to survive and rebuild their lives after war

e.g Cafod- Catholic charity which creates orphanages for children who have lost parents in war

Caritas - provide water ,food and tents for victims

Question 21

Conflict resolution and peacemaking

Answer 21

There are organisations who attempt to make peace based on respect and justice. They are Pax Christi and the Justice and Peace Commission.

They are against using violence to try and solve disputes.
They campaign for removal of nuclear weapons. Aims to remove war by removing causes of war.

Question 22

What can individual Christians do about injustice?

Answer 22

Jesus teaches that ‘ anger should be avoided wherever possible’ . As a result many Christians are ‘pacifists’. Some believe that ‘righteous anger can be used to create justice’. It is right if anger is about something God disagrees with e.g when Jesus overturned the tables in the temple. It should only be used to improve a situation and shouldn’t be violent.

Following examples of people like

Martin Luther King- speeches and marches
Trevor Huddlestone- sports and shopping boycotts

Support the work of Amnesty International - giving money or working for them

Voting for someone who shows concern for particular issues

Sometimes ‘violent protest’ may be necessary

e.g Suffragette movement- rights for women to vote
Nelson Mandela - used violent methods to fight apartheid in S Africa
2015- Catholic Church supported protests in Congo as the government was unjustly delaying the elections

Question 23

Just War Theory

Answer 23

A theory to determine when it is right to go to war and how to act in war.

Question 24

Last Resort

Answer 24

A belief that in a Just War all peaceful methods should have been tried.

Question 25

Just cause

Answer 25

Belief that in a Just War that the reason for war should be fair.

Question 26

Legitimate Authority

Answer 26

Belief that in a Just War that the person declaring the war should have the authority to do.

Question 27

Right Intention

Answer 27

Belief that in a Just War that the goal of war is to make peace.

Question 28

Principle of Discrimination

Answer 28

Belief that in a Just War that civilians should not be targeted.

Question 29

Holy War

Answer 29

A war fought by a religion as a way to defend or further their religion.