Religion, War and Peace

Question 1

What are the causes of war? (4)

Answer 1

• greed
• gain of resources.
• differences in religious beliefs.
• defending own country when under attack.

Question 2

What is meant by a holy war? (3)

Answer 2

• fighting for a religious cause (for God).
• spiritual reward (fighters who die will receive rewards for dying).
• take revenge for acts against their faith.

Question 3

When does a war become just (for religious believers)? (6)

Answer 3

• when there is a just cause (those attacked must have committed fault).
• war must be started and controlled by legal authority.
• right intentions (promote the cause of good and avoid evil).
• war must be a last resort (all other ways tried first).
• reasonable chance of success.
• minimal death (no harm to innocent civilians).

Question 4

Why some religious believers prepared to fight in a war? (6)

Answer 4

• idea of holy war.
• to achieve religious aims.
• authorised by God.
• spiritual reward (heaven/paradise).
• defending their religion.
• idea of just war (just cause, good intention, chance of success, good outweighs evil, civilians protected).

Question 5

Why some religions against wars? (3)

Answer 5

• “Do not kill” - 10 commandments.
• suffering that follows (destruction, loss of life, psychological damage.
• life is sacred (Sanctity of Life).
• better ways to solve problems (peace talks).

Question 6

Religious attitudes towards weapons of mass destruction. (4)

Answer 6

• not a deterrent can lead to war.
• not morally justifiable.
• peace not war.
• effect on future generations

Question 7

Is it wrong for a country to have nuclear weapons? (4)/(3)

Answer 7

AGREE =

• they are destructive (could destroy the world).
• innocent people killed.
• environmental, economical, social and health impacts.
• breaks Sanctity of Life and Just War conditions.

DISAGREE =

• may act as a deterrent.
• last resort.
• quicker solution to conflict.

Question 8

Can a religious person be a terrorist? (3)/(2)

Answer 8

NO =

• religions promote peace.
• “love your neighbour”.
• morally wrong to kill innocent people.

YES =

• maybe fighting against an injustice.
• maybe viewed as protecting their religion.

Question 9

Will there always be wars? (3)/(3)

Answer 9

AGREE =

• always disagreements in the world which lead to conflict and lead to war.
• people always want to have more power / be more powerful than others (greed and selfishness).
• many wars are being for currently.

DISAGREE =

• religions teach peace.
• if justice promoted, wars would end.
• if people helped the poor and shared more then there would be no reason for war.

Question 10

Wars do not solve problems, the only create them? (3)/(4)

Answer 10

AGREE =

• causes death and loss of loved ones.
• creates homelessness refugees and poverty.
• creates terrorism / development of more powerful weapons.

DISAGREE =

• might be justified (Just War Theory).
• might get rid of evil dictators.
• need to defend country, family and faith.
• “an eye for an eye”.