Religion, peace and conflict

Question 1

Explain what violence is in regards to what God wants for the world.

Answer 1

1) Violence is a rejection of what God wants for the world. People need well being and inner calm.

Question 2

Explain the story of Cain and Abel.

Answer 2

1) Cain was angry and jealous of his brother Abel.

2) Cains’s angry thoughts led to him killing Abel.

Question 3

Explain what the Prodigal son is.

Answer 3

1) God’s forgiveness. We must forgive as much as possible.

Question 4

What are 2 quotes that link to forgiveness?

Answer 4

1) “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
2) “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew)

Question 5

Explain what Reconciliation brings.

What is a quote linked to reconciliation?

Answer 5

1) Reconciliation brings peace
2) It brings respect for other people’s beliefs
3) A stronger relationship with God.
4) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”(Matthew)

Question 6

Explain what Justice is and why is creating justice important?

Answer 6

1) Justice is fairness for all people.

2) Creating justice is important for Christians because injustice leads to a lack of self-worth.

Question 7

What is righteous anger? How did Jesus show righteous anger and what were his teachings on anger?

Answer 7

1) Righteous anger is anger against injustice.
2) Jesus showed righteous anger when he flipped the tables over at the temple because they were using God’s home as a market. Jesus taught that anger should be avoided if possible.

Question 8

Explain Christian and contrasting views on violent protesting.

Answer 8

1) Most Christians are against Violent protests because:

• Illegal
• Ineffective
• Innocent people can die
• Peaceful protests are better.

2) Contrasting views:
- It is sometimes necessary- to make a government take notice
- Eg: BLM movement, Suffragettes.

Question 9

Why might going to war be a problem for Christians?

Answer 9

1) Taking human life goes against the Sanctity of Life as well as the commandment “Do not murder”
2) Catholic Church teaches that it is sometimes necessary to go to war (for example, to protect innocent people.)

Question 10

What is the Just War Theory and who supports it?

Answer 10

1) The Just War Theory is a set of conditions that must be met for a war to be justified.
2) The Catholic Church supports it.

Question 11

What are the Just War principles?

Answer 11

1) The war must be started and controlled by a proper authority.
2) There must be a just cause.
3) Must be for the right reason.
4) Must be last resort.
5) Benefits of war must be greater than the harm caused.
6) Should be a reasonable chance of success.

Question 12

Provide Bible Quotes that seem to support war and quotes that seem to oppose war.

Answer 12

1) SUPPORT WAR:
- “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”
- “The Lord is a warrior”

2) OPPOSE WAR:
- “Love your neighbour”
- “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer him your left”
- “Blessed are the peacemakers”
- “Put your sword away, for he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword” (Luke)

Question 13

Why does the Old Testament have a great deal of War annd Violence?

Answer 13

1) Telling the story of God’s chosen people the Israelites and their fight to establish themselves in the Promised Land.
2) Christian’s emphasise Jesus’ teachings
3) A few passages show that peace is what God wants. “Nations will never again go to war”

Question 14

What is a pacifist and who was an example of a pacifist?

Answer 14

1) A pacifist is someone who opposes violence.

2) Jesus was a pacifist.

Question 15

Who were the Quakers and what were they an example of?

Answer 15

1) Quakers were a Christian group who were famous pacifists.

2) They were conscientious objectors during the war.

Question 16

Provide an example of pacifism working and it not working.

Answer 16

1) MLK successfully fought racism in the Civil Rights Movement through non-violent methods. (Eg Montgomery Bus boycott, march on Washington, I have a dream speech)
2) Bonhoeffer says that it doesn’t work, especially against dictators such as Hitler.

Question 17

What is a Holy War?

Give an example.

Answer 17

1) A war fought for a religious goal.
2) Must be approved by a religious leader.
3) A belief that God is on your side.

E.g the Crusades

Question 18

What might be some other reasons for going to war?

Answer 18

1) To gain power, land, resources.
2) Defend innocent people.
3) Retaliation
4) Defend human rights.
5) Defend allies.
6) Political differences.
7) Self defence

Question 19

What did Pope John XXIII believe about Nuclear War?

Answer 19

“There is no such thing as a just war in a nuclear age”

Question 20

What are some Catholic Views on Nuclear War?

Answer 20

1) Indiscriminate effects- innocent people die.
2) Causes tension and fear.
3) Causes severe damage to the environment.
4) Huge cost.

Question 21

What are some contrasting views on nuclear war?

Answer 21

1) We need nuclear weapons to deter attacks.
2) We need them for self defence- other countries possess them.
3) Symbol of Britain’s role in the world.

Question 22

What are some consequences of Modern Warfare?

Answer 22

1) Refugees
2) Civilian Death
3) Environmental damage
4) PTSD/ Shell shock
5) Child soldiers.
6) Economic destruction.

Question 23

What is Terrorism and where does the Catholic Church stand in regards to it?

Answer 23

1) Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately (CCC). It is killing innocent people whilst believing you are doing what God wants.
2) The Catholic Church opposes the use of terror in any situation.

Question 24

What are Bible teachings on Terror?

Answer 24

1) “Obey the authorities” (St Paul)
2) “Never take vengeance” (St Paul)
3) The bible suggests that violence and terrorism are always wrong.

Question 25

What are some contrasting views on terror?

Answer 25

1) The Jewish Maccabees used terrorist attacks against authorities who were trying to force them to give up Judaism.
2) Nelson Mandela turned to terrorism in order to fight the apartheid system, because the government wasn’t listening.

Question 26

What does society think of terroism?

Answer 26

1) Most people believe terrorists have a distorted, incorrect view of what God wants.
2) Their actions have been rejected by the respective religions that they claim to represent.
3) Christianity and Islam stand together against terrorism.

Question 27

What is Radicalisation? How do people become radicalised?

Answer 27

1) Extreme views- unwilling to see alternative views. May lead to terrorism and is a threat to society.
2) Younger people who live in deprived areas are the most vulnerable and feel rejected by society.

Question 28

What does the Church teach about Radicalisation?

Answer 28

1) The Catholic Teaching is that we must solve inequality and give people equal opportunities so that they do not feel rejected.

Question 29

What is a martyr and what do the Catholic Church teach about martyrdom?

What do the Church not accept Martyrdom as?

Answer 29

1) A martyr is someone who suffers violence or dies for refusing to give up their faith.
2) Martyrs are highly valued by the Catholic Church.
3) The church does not accept that suicide bombers are martyrs.

Question 30

What do the Catholic Church teach about torture?

Answer 30

1) “Torture is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity.” (CCC)

Question 31

Why are people against torture?

Answer 31

1) A denial of human rights
2) Rejects Sanctity of Life
3) Illegal
4) PTSD
5) info is unreliable

Question 32

How does the Catholic church help in modern conflicts?

Answer 32

1) The Church teaches that we should prevent war and help victims of war.

Question 33

Give examples of how Catholics have tried to prevent war?

Answer 33

1) Pope held a meeting between Israel and Palestine leaders.
2) Catholic Organisations, provide shelter, food, medicine. CAFOD etc
3) Donate money to charities, pray.

Question 34

Who are 2 Catholic Organisations that work for peace? What do they do?

Answer 34

1) PAX CHRISTI:
- Works in 50+ countries to establish peace.
- Gets involved in disputes early- prevents violence.
- Encourages fairness and justice.
2) JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION:
- Campaigns to remove nuclear weapons from the world.
- Reduce arms trade.
- Raise awareness of human rights abuses.