Religion, peace and conflict Flashcards
Concept of Peace
aim of war can be to create peace, although it is hard to achieve because of the instability and resentment as a result of war.
Feeling of happiness/tranquility.
Both Christians and Jews believe God will bring peace some time in the future.
‘He will judge between the nations and settle many disputes’
Concept of Justice
Bringing about what is right and fair, linking to equality. Certain governments or part of the world are seen to be source of inequality and injustice, conflict may result.
Both religions believe God as the ultimate judge will establish justice at some point in the future (Isiah 2:4)
Jewish prophets taught importance of justice particularly for poor and vulnerable (Micah 6:8)
Concept of forgiveness
Showing compassion and mercy, pardoning someone for what they have done wrong. Does not necessarily mean no action should be taken but when conflict is over forgiveness should follow.
‘forgive those who trespass against us’ Lord’s prayer
-> both religions believe God offers forgiveness to all who ask in faith
- Yom kill ur offers opportunity for expression of sorrow for sun and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Concept of reconciliation
Restoring friendly relationships after conflict, requires a conscious effort to rebuild it.
-> doesn’t mean ignoring past but focusses on building a constructive relationship for future: many christians and jews work for peace and reconciliation in conflict situations.
Violence and protest
all religions believe conflict should be avoided if possible but some may disagree over when it is justified.
Many christians/jews believe protesting is acceptable as long as violence isn’t used
(peaceful protests e.g 1950s/60s Dr Martin Luther King Jr protesting against unjust racial laws which succeeded in changing US law and bringing civil rights to citizens of any race).
Terrorism
Aim to make society aware of their cause, by frightening people/authorities to meet their demands. May link cause to religion but no religion promotes terrorism.
Christians/Jews strongly oppose it as it targets innocent people, and prefer more peaceful ways of resolving issues
‘do not repay anyone evil for evil … live at peace with everyone’ Romans 12:17-18 no
Reasons for War: greed
to gain land/resource e.g oil
Christianity teaches greed is wrong: ‘for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil’
Judaism teaches greed goes against commandment ‘you shall not covet’ Tenakh
-> Jewish prophets criticised people cheating the poor in order to increase their own wealth and power Amos 2:6-7
Reason for War: retaliation
Christians: retaliation is wrong (taught by Jesus)
‘turn the other cheek’
Judaism: condemns vengeance ‘You shall not take vengeance… love your fellow as yourself’ Leviticus, Tenakh
- In maimonides code of jewish law revenge is referred to unworthy action in everyday life but some Jews find this advice hard to follow in moments of war.
Reasons for War: Self-defense
Defending yourself or allied countries, e.g 2nd world war UK fought to defend against Nazi invasion and also defend the threat to Europe entirely.
Christians: fighting in self defense is morally acceptable (provided peaceful methods had been tried first). ‘do not repay anyone evil for evil … life at peace with everyone.’ Romans 12:17
Judaism: self-defense is acceptable, particularly defending Israel from attack.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Nuclear weapons: e.g used on Japan at end of WW2, 140,000 died in Hiroshima alone
-> prompted end of war
Many countries own nuclear warfare as deterrents.
Biological weapons: using living organisms to cause disease/death
Chemical weapons: using chemicals to harm humans and destroy natural environment.
Production, stockpiling and use of these are illegal world wide.
Religious views on weapons of Mass destruction
Only god has right to end lives.
‘You shall not murder’. 10 comms
Use can never be justified (due to the extremity and indiscriminate aspect of it)
Although killing in war is not always considered murder, use of these weapons are.
-> goes against teachings of Jesus
- some Christian’s view stockpiling of nuclear weapons as a useful deterrent to maintain peace and prevent attack.
Conditions of a just war
- be fought for a just cause (e.g self-defense or defending others)
- be declared by proper legal authority
- have a just intention (promoting good, defeat wrongdoing, peace and justice must be restored afterwards).
- be a last resort
- have a reasonable chance of success (good gained must outweigh evil threat)
- be proportional (excessive force shouldn’t be used, innocent civilians must not be killed)
Rules about how a just war must be fought
Should be fought by just means (innocent civilians shouldn’t be targeted/harmed).
Only appropriate force should be used.
Internationally agreed conventions must be obeyed (Geneva Convention rules).
Jewish teachings about just wars
Judaism recognises 3 types of war:
- obligatory (god commanded jews to fight e.g conquest of Canaan under Joshua)
- defensive
- optional (fought for a good reason when all peaceful ways have been tried first).
-> have rules about how a war should be fought eg civilians and landscape should be protected (Deuteronomy) and prisoners must be treated with dignity
‘if your enemy is hungry, give him some bread to eat.’ Proverbs 25:21 Tenakh
Holy wars
fought for a religious cause, such as to defend faith from attack.
Must be authorised by a religious leader
Believed those who take part gain spiritual rewards
-> e.g Crusades, battles between Christians and Muslims between 11th-14th centuries (both believed God was on their side)
Most Christians and Jews believe it is better to defend faith through words.
Tenakh refers to God helping jews win battles to settle in the Promised land (obligatory wars), but for most jews the concept of holy war doesn’t apply.
Christian view on religion as a cause of violence
do not respond violently to attack on faith: accept jesus’ reaching that not only violence but the anger that leads to violence is wrong (Matthew 5:21-22)
Jesus said
‘all who draw the sword die by the sword’ Matthew 26:52
Jewish view on religion as a cause of violence
Links to persecution of jews during WW2 due to their faith
-> do not now in the UK respond violently to antisemitism but through peaceful protest.
- most jews do not believe the teachings of their faith encourage a violent response, they believe they should keep within the law and rely on police to take action
Examples of recent religious conflict
Troubles, Northern Ireland (1968-98): conflict between Catholics and Protestants (although this was more politically based).
Orthodox Jews in West Bank: believe there is a divine obligation to reclaim land of israel by removing palestinian settlers, describe it as an ‘obligatory war’ or ‘war by commandment’
-> this is rejected by Israeli government and most Israeli jews.
Christian views towards pacifism
Religious society of friends (Quakers) is a christian denomination that strongly supports this.
During WW1 conscientious objectors refused to fight and faced punishments, although some took on non-fighting roles e.g cooks, doctors
Christian pacifists follow Jesus’ example and teachings
‘blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.’
Some christians are not pacifists as they believe in just wars.
Jewish beliefs on pacifism
judaism teachers peace is an ideal but sometimes war is necessary and a duty of the faith.
Tenakh advises people to ‘seek peace and pursue it.’
Prophet Micah said when God’s kingdom of justice was established war would not be necessary to settle disputes (Micah 4:3)
Prophet Isaiah spoke of ‘peace without limit’ when the messiah would reign on David’s throne ‘in justice and in equity’.
What are the key beliefs of pacifists?
- war and violence can rarely or never be justified
- best to prevent war from becoming a possibility by promoting justice and peace
- prayer and meditation can help people be at peace with themselves and others
Christian examples of modern-day peace makers
Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams:
Catholic and protestant from Northern Ireland formed ‘Peace People’ in 1976
-> organised peace marches and events in UK to bring these denominations together and call for peace within NI between two sides
-> awarded 1976 Nobel Peace Prize
Jewish example of a modern-day peacemaker
Dr Marshall Rosenberg:
founded Centre for Nonviolent Communication
-> tried ro make peace between rioting students and college administrators, offered courses on non-violent communication (as a psychologist) to help civil servants to resolve conflict in a peaceful way.
How do pacifists believe peace will come?
Through faith, supported by prayer and following God’s law, and by actively working to promote human rights.
Christian View on helping victims of war
Support organisations that offer medical and psychological care:
‘love your neighbour’
Parable of Good samaritan: Jesus taught that everyone is everybody else’s neighbour regardless of race, gender, age etc.
Jewish Views on providing help to victims of war
Jewish organisations that help victims of war base work on two jewish beliefs:
Pikuach Nefesh
Tikkun olam (healing the world): being involved in God’s work to sustain the world.
‘He who destroys one soul of a human being … he should destroy a whole world’
Christian example of an organisation that helps victims of war
Caritas: catholic organisation that helps poor and promotes justice worldwide.
Inspired by teachings of Jesus/Catholic Church.
Aims to provide practical help to those suffering e.g 2015 provided food and shelter to refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria.
Provided translators and legal services to refugees, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Jewish example of an organisation that helps victims of war
Magen David Adom UK: based in UK, raised nearly £7 Million in 2013
Funds emergency medical + ambulance service in Israel
Provides medical care and treatment for anyone regardless of nationality, religion, race etc
Includes victims of conflict throughout the world.
Provides first aid training in Israel.
