Religion, Peace and Conflict

Question 1

War

Answer 1

Fighting between nations to revolve issues / tension between them.

Question 2

Peace

Answer 2

An absence of conflict.

Question 3

Justice

Answer 3

Bringing about what is right and fair.

Question 4

Forgiveness

Answer 4

Showing grace and mercy. Pardoning someone for their wrongdoings.

Question 5

Reconciliation

Answer 5

When individuals or groups restore friendly relations after conflict.

Question 6

Protest

Answer 6

An expression of disapproval, often in a public group.

Question 7

Terrorism

Answer 7

The unlawful use of violence in order to scare the public and thus pressure the Government into complying with what the terrorists want.

Question 8

Greed

Answer 8

Selfish desire.

Question 9

Self-defence

Answer 9

Acting in order to prevent harm against yourself.

Question 10

Retaliation

Answer 10

Deliberately harming someone as a response to them harming you.

Question 11

Nuclear Weapons

Answer 11

Weapons that work by nuclear reaction. Devastate huge areas and kill large numbers of people.

Question 12

Weapons of Mass Destruction [WMDs]

Answer 12

Weapons that can kill large numbers of people and / or cause lots of damage.

Question 13

Chemical Weapons

Answer 13

Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn or paralyze people and destroy the natural environment.

Question 14

Biological Weapons

Answer 14

Weapons that have living organisms or infectious material that can lead to disease or death.

Question 15

Just War

Answer 15

War which meets internationally accepted criteria for fairness. Follows the traditional Christian rules for a just war.

Question 16

Holy War

Answer 16

Fighting for a religious cause or God.

Question 17

Pacifism

Answer 17

The belief of people who refuse to take part in war and any other forms of violence.

Question 18

Peacemaking

Answer 18

The action of trying to establish peace.

Question 19

Give two Christian quotes about forgiveness.

Answer 19

“Turn the other cheek” and “Love your enemy”.

Question 20

What did the Buddha teach about forgiveness?

Answer 20

“Anger is like holding a hot coal - intending to throw it at someone - but you are the one who gets burned!”

Question 21

What does Christianity teach about violence?

Answer 21

Violence is wrong as Jesus taught “Blessed are the peacemakers”.

Question 22

What does Buddhism teach about violence?

Answer 22

Violence is wrong as the first moral precept is “do not harm any living being”.

Question 23

What are the three reasons for war? Give an example of one.

Answer 23

Greed, self-defence and retaliation. For example, the US invaded Afghanistan partly in retaliation to the 9/11 attacks.

Question 24

What are the conditions for a just war?

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

Give three reasons why countries should have nuclear weapons.

Answer 25

• They act as a deterrent.
• Makes the use of other WMDs less likely.
• Help to maintain peace.

Question 26

Give three reasons why countries shouldn’t have nuclear weapons.

Answer 26

• 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.

Question 27

Give an example of a Christian organisation that helps victims of war.

Answer 27

Christian Aid.

Question 28

Give an example of a Buddhist organisation that helps victims of war.

Answer 28

The Buddhist Peace Fellowship.