Perspectives on justice, forgiveness And Just War Flashcards
Social justice
What is right and fair (according to the law).
Apartheid
A system of government which allows total segregation of black and white people.
Conditions for a just war
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.
Pacifism
The belief that the war or violence is wrong and should not be used.
Christian views in support of war
‘Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors’
‘Life for life, eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’
Human rights
Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.
Capital punishment
The death penalty for a crime.
Amnesty international
An organisation which campaigns to end abuses of human rights across the globe.
Catholic views on nuclear war
The Catholic Church is against the use of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear war
War that makes use of nuclear weapons.
Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
Weapons that can kill large numbers of people/cause great damage.
Chemical weapons
Weapons that use chemicals to harm humans and the natural environment.
Biological weapons
Weapons that use living organisms to cause disease or death.
Terrorism
The unlawful use of violence, usually against innocent civilians, to achieve political goals.
Torture
Severe physical or mental pain.
Radicalisation
Adopting extreme views on religious, social or political issues. It can lead to terrorism. Can be caused by specific groups or individuals.
Martyrdom
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
Oscar Romero- Christian martyr 1917-1980
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.
Consequences of modern war
- Refugees- people who have been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution or natural disaster
- Civilian casualties - innocent people die
- Environmental damage - pollution, rubbish etc
‘ The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it’ so we should look after it
Role of religion in conflicts
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
Conflict resolution and peacemaking
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.
What can individual Christians do about injustice?
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
Just War Theory
A theory to determine when it is right to go to war and how to act in war.
Last Resort
A belief that in a Just War all peaceful methods should have been tried.
Just cause
Belief that in a Just War that the reason for war should be fair.
Legitimate Authority
Belief that in a Just War that the person declaring the war should have the authority to do.
Right Intention
Belief that in a Just War that the goal of war is to make peace.
Principle of Discrimination
Belief that in a Just War that civilians should not be targeted.
Holy War
A war fought by a religion as a way to defend or further their religion.
