theme D: religion, peace and conflict Flashcards
peace
The opposite of war; harmony between all in society.
justice
Bringing fairnessback to a situation.
forgiveness
Letting go of bad feelings towards someone who has caused pain
reconciliation
Making up between two groups/sides after disagreement
becoming better
protest
an expression of disapproval, often in a public group
violence
using actions that threaten or harm others
terrorism
the unlawful use of violence, usually against
innocent civilians, to achieve a political goal
violence and protest: christian attitudes
- Teaches against violence as Jesus said ‘Blessed are the peace markers’
- Christians are told to love their enemies.
- Humans have free will and where nonviolent protest is ignored, violent protest is ignored, violent protest are used for good.
violence and protest: buddhist attitudes
- Not accepting of violence (not ahimsa and causes dukkha)
- Speaking out about injustice is compassionates (Right action and Right Speech)
- Protesting to achieve what is right is acceptable as long as violence is not used.
terrorism: christian attitudes
- Most Christians are against terrorism and prefer more peaceful ways of resolving issues
- ‘Do not kill’
- ‘Blessed are the peacekeepers’
- ‘Love your enemies and pray for them’
terrorism: buddhist attitudes
Many Buddhists believe it is important to condemn terrorism because it expresses hatred.
* A Buddhist response to terrorism should express love rather than hatred. Revenge and retaliation are no the appropriate answer
* No-one should kill, nor incite others to do so
* Goes against the 1st precept - ‘Do not harm any living thing’
reasons for war
greed
self defence
retaliation
greed in war
to gain more land, power or resources.
self defence in war
If a country or religion is under attack then it can be seen as right/ correct to defend your country
retaliation in war
Sometimes a country will be attacked and it causes retaliation.
religion as a cause of war: for
Religious can be involved in war if two different countries with
different religions are in conflict
* Religious beliefs can divide people and violence can happen
* People can interpret religious teachings for their own
advantage meaning war can happen in the name of religion
religion as a cause of war: against
Religion can bring people together, solve crises and bring peace
* True religious beliefs do not cause war – people cite religion as a cause to increase their own power.
* Religion teaches about peace and forgiveness – most religions are against violence and war
just war
A war which meets internationally accepted criteria
for fairness; follows traditional Christian rules for a Just War, and is now accepted by all other religions.
holy war
fighting for a religious cause or God, often inspired by a religious leader
just war: christian attitudes
Proposed by St Augustine in the 13th Century. The rules are
* Just cause – must not be for revenge
* Intention
* Resort (last) – all other methods have been tried first
* Authority – must be elected by a government
* Success – have a reasonable chance of winning
just war: buddhist attitudes
- Does not believe in any war
- Goes against the 1st Precept of harming others
- Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love
holy war: christian attitudes
- Fought for God or faith
- Must be the last resort – the enemy must have the opportunity to make peace.
- Believers are obligated to fight.
- Must be conducted fairly – just treatment of the enemy.
- Justice and peace should be restored.
holy war: buddhist attitudes
- Does not believe in
any war - Goes against
the 1st Precept of harming others - Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love
nuclear weapons
They devastate huge areas and kill large numbers of people. For example the US forces used atom (nuclear) bombs on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima during the second world war causing Japan to surrender
weapons of mass destruction
Biological weapons that use living organisms to cause disease or death. Chemical weapons using chemicals to harm humans and destroy the natural environment
nuclear weapons: christian attitudes
- Only God has the right to end life
- One of the Ten commandments ‘You shall not murder’
- Their use goes against the teachings of Jesus.
- ‘any use of nuclear weapons violate the sanctity of life and principle of dignity core to our faith traditions’
- Some Christian see stockpiling nuclear weapons as a deterrent to maintain peace and prevent attack
nuclear weapons: buddhist attitudes
- Most Buddhists believe nuclear weapons should be abolished, as there is always a risk they will be used as long as they exist.
- They also believe the real problem is not the weapons but the attitude of human beings.
- ‘For peace, the basic thing to do is not to remove nuclear weapons but to remove the fear, anger and suspicion in us.’
weapons of mass destruction: christian attitudes
- Weapons of mass destruction kill huge numbers of innocent civilians, so their use can never be justified.
pacifism
The belief of people who refuse to take part in war or any form of violence. Pacifists believe; War and violence can rarely or never be justified
* Prevention of war by promoting peace and justice
* Prayer and meditation can help people be at peace with themselves and others
weapons of mass destruction: buddhist attitudes
- Weapons of mass destruction cause large scale suffering and their use goes against the first moral precept, which is to abstain from taking life
peace-making
The action of trying to establish peace, and a peacemaker is someone who works to establish peace in the world or in a certain part of it.
pacifism: christian attitudes
- The religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is a Christian denomination that strongly supports pacifism.
- Many Christians are not pacifists because they believe war is sometimes necessary in self defence
