Religion, Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Define peace
Peace does not just mean ‘no war’
In a peaceful society everybody has enough to live comfortably, so there is no need for conflict and arguments
Give a scripture about peace
‘They will turn their swords into ploughs…. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore’.
Define justice
This mean that everybody gets what they deserve e.g. a hard working citizen is paid a decent wage
Give 3 scriptures for justice
Loose the chains of injustice… set the oppressed free
Made in the image of god
Whatever you do for the least of my brothers you do for me
Define reconciliation
This takes place after a conflict and involves conscious effort to rebuild a relationship with your enemy
Give 3 examples of reconciliation
Prisoners of war released
Countries should be given help to rebuild their infrastructure
Peace treaty must not punish one side unfairly
Give 3 scriptures for reconciliation
Overcome evil with good
Love your neighbour
Love your enemies
Give three reasons for self defence
To defend your own country against attack
To defend a way of life
To defend your beliefs
Give an example of a country defending itself from attack
In WW2 the Battle of Britain prevented a German invasion
Give an example of defending a way of life
The American civil war was fought because the southern states wanted to continue keeping slaves
Give an example of defending your beliefs
The Israel and Palestine conflict
Give an example of retaliation
The war against Afghanistan was an act of retaliation after 9/11. America believed that the government of Afghanistan was sheltering the terrorists who planned the attack
Give an example of greed
When Britain fought against the Boers because their land was rich in diamond and gold
Give a scripture for land and resources
The love of money is the root of all evil (romans)
Give a scripture for retaliation
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right
Define pacifism
Pacifism is the belief that violence is always wrong, and that peaceful means should be used to deal with conflict
Who was Martin Luther King?
A famous pacifist, making a point of turning the other cheek to fight against injustice. He said ‘meet hate with love’.
Who were conscientious objectors?
Pacifists who replaced the men who had gone to the front in the world wars. Some refused to assist with the war effort at all, believing war was wrong. These men went to prison
What is the Quaker church?
A pacifist church, believing that it is better to use peaceful means to resolve conflict
Give 3 Christian scriptures about pacifism
Do not kill
Turn the other cheek
Love your enemies
Give 2 Buddhist scriptures about pacifism
1st moral precept - abstain from taking life
Metta is loving kindness for all creatures
Who was the Dalai Lama?
The Buddhist leader of Tibet. When his country was invaded and he was forced into exile, he spoke out against violent retaliation. He won the Nobel peace prize for his efforts
Evaluate the arguments against pacifism
Some argue that refusing to fight allows evil to continue unchallenged e.g if Britain was pacifist, Nazism would have become the way of life across Europe
Evaluate the arguments for pacifism
Violence causes hatred which causes more violence. Wars don’t solve anything, they just cause future wars
We cannot argue that we are fighting to defend freedom if we take away people’s freedom by causing death or injury
Give 3 conditions of a just war
Last resort
Ultimate goal must be to restore peace
Not to gain wealth/power
Explain how WW2 is an example of a just war
Britain tried peace talks with Germany, but hitler went back on his word and invaded Poland, so war was a last resort
There was a serious threat
Give the 3 types of weapons of mass destruction
Nuclear
Chemical eg nerve gas
Biological eg releasing viruses into the air
What do christians think about nuclear weapons?
Many oppose them because they don’t fulfil the criteria for just war
They’re designed to deliberately target millions of civilians
Give 2 scriptures for nuclear weapons
Do not kill
Those who live by the sword die by the sword
Define a holy war
When believers fight in a war, started by a religious leader, to defend their faith. They believe God is on their side and will help them win. They think that in these circumstances war is RIGHT
Explain how the crusades is an example of a holy war
The pope sent armies of Christians to recapture the holy land from Muslim invaders
Define jihad
A personal challenge done for the love of allah
Why is holy war no longer a Christian practice?
They consider it as a political decision, and nothing to do with their religious beliefs
What is the aim of terrorism?
To terrify the citizens of a country, so that normal life does not continue. They use violence to get their message across
Define a violent protest and give an example
Terrorist attacks that are specifically targeted
E.g. anti-abortionists bombing family planning clinics
Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer?
A Christian pastor who was part of a group attempting to assassinate hitler by planting a bomb
State Bonhoeffer’s quote
Any failure to act is simply to condone evil
What is the aim of a just war?
To bring peace
State three ways to rebuild relationships after war
International events will be organised to bring countries together
Prisoners of war released
Countries given help to rebuild infrastructure
What is Caritas?
A Christian organisation that serves those who are suffering as a result of conflict
For example, they provided food and shelter for Syrians fleeing the bombing of their country
What is the Tzu Chi Project?
A Buddhist organisation that helps victims of war
For example, they distribute food and other basic necessities
Define metta
Loving kindness for all creatures - including your worst enemies
Define karuna
Compassion, Buddhists will therefore choose to help victims of war
Give two steps of the eightfold path
Right livelihood
Right action
