Religion, Peace And Conflict

Question 1

Peace

Answer 1

“Whoever Kills a soul … it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one- it is as if he had saved mankind entirely…” - Qur’an

“And if they incline to peace, incline thou also against it, and trust in Allah, Lo! He, even He, is the Hearer, the All-knowing” - Qur’an

“They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” - Isaiah 2:4

“Do not Kill each other, for God is merciful to you. If any of you does these things, out of hostility and injustice, We shall make him burn in the fire.” - Qur’an

“Do not take life, which God has made sacred” - Qur’an

“The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” - Psalm 11:5

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them and drive them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah (heresy) is worse than killing.” - Qur’an

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9

Question 2

Justice

Question 3

Forgiveness

Answer 3

“…..there is cause to act against those who oppress people and transgress in the land against all justice…though if a person is patient and forgives, this is one of the greatest things.” - Qur’an 42:43

Question 4

Reconciliation

Question 5

Violence (including violent protest)

Answer 5

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” - Psalm 144:1

Question 6

Terrorism

Question 7

Reasons for war (greed, self-defence, retaliation)

Answer 7

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” - Psalm 144:1

“God does not like arrogant, boastful people, who are miserly and order other people to be the same, hiding the bounty God has given them.” - Qur’an 4:36-37

“Those who have been attacked are permitted to take up arms because they have been I wronged- God has the power to help them.” - Qur’an 22:39

“If you [believers] have to respond to an attack, make your response proportionate, but it is best to stand fast.” - Qur’an 16:126

“…..there is cause to act against those who oppress people and transgress in the land against all justice…though if a person is patient and forgives, this is one of the greatest things.” - Qur’an 42:43

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” - 1 Timothy 6:10

Question 8

Just war (and criteria)

Answer 8

1. A country has a right to defend itself from attack (war must have a just cause)
2. It is being fought by the authority of the United Nations (or by a legitimate authority)
3. It is being fought with the intention of restoring peace
4. The war is being fought as a last
   resort
5. There has to be a reasonable chance of success on both sides
6. The methods used avoid killing civilians
7. The force used must be proportional
   to the cause

Question 9

Holy war

Question 10

Pacifism

Answer 10

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13

Question 11

Religion and belief as a cause of war and violence in the contemporary world

Question 12

Nuclear weapons, including nuclear deterrence

Question 13

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Question 14

Religion and peace-making (in the contemporary world including the work of individuals influenced by religious teaching)

Question 15

Religious responses to the victims of war (including the work of one present day or religious organisation)