Section 8.3: Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Consequences of war
Hatred Uncertainty Death Destruction Famine Refugees Economic ruin
Some reasons why war starts
Political Economic Defensive Racial Competition for resources Religious
Hiroshima nuclear uranium bomb
6/8/1945
Brutal inventions used to wipe out populations, many died in war, mass murder in death camps
Increased civilian victims of war
Due to technology increase
Leaving elderly and children more vulnerable
Global expenditure for military uses
£1.5 million a minute
Albert Einstein said what about war
‘Peace cant be kept by force it can only be achieved by understanding’
Gandhi said about war
An eye for an eye and the world will soon be blind
A war caused by nationalism and imperialism
WWII (1944)
War cause by greed
Spanish civil war (1937)
War caused by the breach of human rights
The war ij Darfur (2003/7)
War caused by religion
Israel and palestine ongoing from 1948
War caused by natural resources
Russia and ukraine gas disputes 1990s and 2005-2006
war caused by alliances
WWI (1914)
War caused by land
Arab-Iraeli conflict 1946 and onwards
War caused by militarism
The iraq war 2003
War caused by discrimination and money
Conflict in Afghanistan (2001)
4 reasons behind arab-Israeli conflict
- long standing jewish persecution/anti-semitism
- WWII/holocaust = mass immigration
- balfour declaration = partitioning of land
- Zionism
- religion, ones of the book jerusalem belong to judaism, xianity and islam
What is a just war
A war that is fought for the right reasons and in the right way
The just war theory was explained by
Thomas Aquinas
‘Jus as Bellum’
A just war could be subjective
‘One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter’ george bush
Just authority means
A war started by a legitimate authority, wars cannot be started by private citizens or incompetent governments.
During a conflict what does the right intention mean
The pursuit of peace and reconciliation including the avoidance of unnecessarily destructive acts or imposing unreasonable conditions.
What does the last resort mean in war
War must be the last resort with all peaceful attempts at resolution exhausted before violence. There should be a fair chance that the war will be won. Hopeless suffering and loss of life for no constructive purpose is wrong. However last resort may be too late
Pope John XXIII said about war
It is impossible to conceive of a just ear in a nuclear age
Cicero said about war
The only excuse for war is that we may live in peace, unharmed
Proportionality of war
The damage to be inflicted and the costs incurred by war must be proportionate to the good expected by taking up arms
The 7 policies of a just war
1) the war must be for a just cause
2) a war must be declared by a lawful authority
3) a war must only be fought to bring about good
4) war must be a last resort
5) there must be a reasonable chance of success
6) only necessary force must be used to achieve the aim
7) only legitimate targets should be attacked
Jesus said in Matthew 26:52 about war
For all who draw the sword will die by the sword
Some Christians believe war is a necessary evil
Majority of christians accept this although they prefer to live in peace, they understand that sometimes fighting is the lesser of two evils
Pacifism
Some christians believe war can never be justified as jesus preached the message of love and peace
Christians should work for conflict resolution through peaceful means
Absolute pacifism
No engagement in military activity at all (absolutes)
Relative or selective pacifism
No or contingent engagement in military activity in certain circumstances (relativists)
Nuclear pacifism
No use of nuclear weapons
Some pacifist denominations
Quakers, Moravians, pax christi, plymouth brethren
Conscientious objection
when Christian’s private morality supersedes their obligations to the state
Bonhoeffer pacifist?
First taught pacifism but realised hilter was not going to listen to peaceful protests –> situation ethics
Oscar romero views on war
Liberation theology
‘If an injustice is being done, then force may be necessary’
Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not murder
Martin luther king
Returning violence multiplies violence…hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that
Matthew 5:44
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who treat you badly and persecute you
A quotation that inspired the movements of martin luther kind and ghandi (matthew 5:39)
But i tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also
It is a necessary evil
The just war theory
Pope Benedict XVI said ‘defending oneself and other is a duty’
Jesus shows we should stand up for what we believe in Luke 11
If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one
St Paul states that christians should follow a governing authority’s orders (romans 13)
Everyone must obey the state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God
Biblical teachings against violence and destruction
The decalogue
Love your neighbour
What is bullying
Physical harm Name calling Defamation Stealing/damaging property Telling lies/starting rumours False witness
Genesis 1:27 about bullying
So god created mankind in his own image, in the image of god he created them; male and female he created them’
Romans 13:9-10 on bullying
Love your neighbour as you live yourself, if you love someone you will never do them wrong