Religion, Peace and Conflict Flashcards
War
Fighting between nations to revolve issues / tension between them.
Peace
An absence of conflict.
Justice
Bringing about what is right and fair.
Forgiveness
Showing grace and mercy. Pardoning someone for their wrongdoings.
Reconciliation
When individuals or groups restore friendly relations after conflict.
Protest
An expression of disapproval, often in a public group.
Terrorism
The unlawful use of violence in order to scare the public and thus pressure the Government into complying with what the terrorists want.
Greed
Selfish desire.
Self-defence
Acting in order to prevent harm against yourself.
Retaliation
Deliberately harming someone as a response to them harming you.
Nuclear Weapons
Weapons that work by nuclear reaction. Devastate huge areas and kill large numbers of people.
Weapons of Mass Destruction [WMDs]
Weapons that can kill large numbers of people and / or cause lots of damage.
Chemical Weapons
Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn or paralyze people and destroy the natural environment.
Biological Weapons
Weapons that have living organisms or infectious material that can lead to disease or death.
Just War
War which meets internationally accepted criteria for fairness. Follows the traditional Christian rules for a just war.
Holy War
Fighting for a religious cause or God.
Pacifism
The belief of people who refuse to take part in war and any other forms of violence.
Peacemaking
The action of trying to establish peace.
Give two Christian quotes about forgiveness.
“Turn the other cheek” and “Love your enemy”.
What did the Buddha teach about forgiveness?
“Anger is like holding a hot coal - intending to throw it at someone - but you are the one who gets burned!”
What does Christianity teach about violence?
Violence is wrong as Jesus taught “Blessed are the peacemakers”.
What does Buddhism teach about violence?
Violence is wrong as the first moral precept is “do not harm any living being”.
What are the three reasons for war? Give an example of one.
Greed, self-defence and retaliation. For example, the US invaded Afghanistan partly in retaliation to the 9/11 attacks.
What are the conditions for a just war?
- Started and controlled by a Government
- Must have a just cause.
- Must clearly promote good over evil.
- Must be a last resort.
- Must be winnable.
- Reasonable and fair force; don’t attack civilians.
- Must be the better of two evils.
Give three reasons why countries should have nuclear weapons.
- They act as a deterrent.
- Makes the use of other WMDs less likely.
- Help to maintain peace.
Give three reasons why countries shouldn’t have nuclear weapons.
- The more countries with WMDs, the more likely they are to be used.
- The weapons are so powerful that it is never justifiable to use them.
- They are very expensive.
Give an example of a Christian organisation that helps victims of war.
Christian Aid.
Give an example of a Buddhist organisation that helps victims of war.
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship.
