Religon peace and conflict Flashcards
What are the causes of terrorism
Their actins can force change
A appropriate response to the given situation
Cultural being attacked or destroyed
Christian views on terrorism
The Catholic Church - There must be a just cause to start terrorism
The C of E - Lethal force as a last resort
Mainstream - Terrorism and violence is not appropriate to find solutions
Christian view on politics ?
Some believe that it is wrong for Christians to be involved in politics because God is a sovereign and can be trusted
Others have a moral obligation to be involved to know what is going on and stay informed with government decisions and to speak up if there is any form of injustice
26 bishops in the house of lords
What is the just war theory ?
A war that meets certain criteria which make it justifiable
What is JUS AD BELLUM ?
Whether it is right to go to war
The war must be started by proper authority
The reason to got to war must be just
Everything must be done to make sure good instead of evil results from the war.
The force must be no more than necessary to win the war
JUS IN BELLO
This concerns the actions taken within a war , making sure the correct conduct is followed
JUS POST BELLUM
This is referring to the actions taken after the war
What are the three elements a holy war ?
The achievement of a religious goal
Being authorised by a religious leader eg Pope
The promise of a spiritual reward
Example of a holy war
The crusades , The attempt by Christianity to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims
George W Bush claimed he was told by God to invade Iraq and create peace, security for Israel and a state for Palestinians.
Define social justice
In terms of distributing wealth , opportunities and privileges within society
Christian attitudes towards warfare
Safeguard Human rights as far as possible
Limiting the level of violence - do not need to use more force than necessary
Most Christians object to the use of excessive force eg nuclear weapons
Methodist churches condemn Weapons of mass destruction , chemical warfare and biological
Drones reduce the awareness of war
Define pacifism
The belief that there should be no use of military force whatsoever whether the cause Is just or not.
Catholic and Anglican believe there will be time were force will not be an option
When is violence first present in the Bible ?
When Cain murders Abel
It is from Cains sinful heart that violence comes ,, and God condemns it and punishes him
Where in the Bible does it say that Murder is forbidden ?
Exodus 20:13
Where the sixth commandment is given “ you shall not Murder “
Why does God in the Old testament condones violence ?
Because it was in the context of war.
These wars were fought by the Israelites ordered by God
They were either protecting land or claiming that God had promised them.
How do people interpret the old testament ?
Giving a justification for war to defend peoples and nations.
They argue that war in such circumstances may be the only way left to help establish a peaceful resolution.
How does Jesus change the belief of violence in the new testament ?
Jesus speaks of the peacemakers being blessed in the sermon on the mount.
Same passage he teaches his followers to love their enemies , to pray for those who persecute them and to turn the other cheek in response to violence
What christian beliefs are there about Jesus’s talk in the new testament ?
Jesus’s teachings make it wrong to use violence in any context , so they would always look for peaceful solutions.
Define a Holy war
A war that meets certain criteria which make it justifiable
Why is peace important for Christians ?
Peace helps to limit suffering and develop harmony , and provides opportunities to promote mutual respect between peoples.
Examples of ways pacifists promote peace ?
sanctions , protests and boycotts
Example in the Bible demonstrating Pacifism ?
( Matthew 5:44 ) Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
What does Paul teach the Early Church ?
That governments should be respected as they carry God’s authority to rule
So any rebellion against the state is against God
what is Conditional Pacifism ?
It is bad consequences of war and violence that make them unacceptable. Conditional pacifists would argue that there are times when an act of war will be less bad than the alternative consequences. ( War is considered necessary )
Examples of Christian denominations advocating pacifism ?
Brethren , the Amish and the Quakers
What is the View of The Catholic Church on Pacifism ?
They accept that there are times , such as in defence , when it may be necessary to use force as a last resort.
Jesus’s teaching about forgiveness ?
He taught that forgiveness is verymportant.
Jesus repeatedly teaches people to first deal with the wrongdoing in their own lives before pointing ot the wrong in the lives of others.
Jesus teaches through the lords prayer that forgiveness must be sought by individual from God ( Matthew 6:15)
What does Paul teach in Romans ?
He teaches that Christians should avoid responding to any situation with an attitude of revenge. Instead Christians should act with loving kindness , even towards their enemies
What does Christianity teach about religious behaviour ?
They teach that religious behaviour is meaningless and hypocritical in the absences of Justice and where corruption is permitted
Define social Justice
Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth , opportunities and privileges within society.
Examples of Christians that believe in Social justice
Christians support The fair trade movement ( It ensures that fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries.
Also many Christians raise awareness about Human trafficking and many support the work of groups eg Salvation Army
Christians belief on Social injustice ?
They have a responsibility to stand up for the weak or the oppressed. They maintain that injustices in society should not be unchallenged
What are the Christians views on Human rights ?
They advocate the value and dignity of all human beings
Do not accept that any human should possess fewer rights than others or values than another
Every human has a equal view in the eye of God and so they aim to achieve justice for all people.
What is Liberation theology ?
It is a Christian idea that God has the power to change situations in the world that are unjust.
Some Christians have taken this belief to mean that it is right to stand up against governments that oppress their people or where the authorities miss use their power.
In response Christians may take part in peaceful protests or actively support those who have been harmed bu injustice.
