THEME D- religion, peace and conflict

Question 1

Explain two religious beliefs about peace (5)

Answer 1

• Christianity- a deep sense of well being and lack of fear with no violence- “put away your sword, for those who love by the sword shall die by it” (Matthew)
• Hinduism- shanti (peace) is separate from ahimsa- can come from violence

Question 2

Give two differing religious beliefs about justice (5)

Answer 2

• Christians- holding people account for they actions- “is any harm follows, then you shall give life for life” (Exodus)
• Hindus- justice is achieved through balance by following your varnashramadharma

Question 3

Give two contrasting views about violent protest (5)

Answer 3

• Dietrich Boenheoffer- “any failure to act is simply to condone evil”
• violence is never justified- “non violence is the law of the human race, violence is the law of the brute” (Gandhi)

Question 4

Give two differing reasons for war (5)

Answer 4

• greed- “for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (Timothy)
• retaliation- “if any harm follows then you shall give life for life” (Matthew)

Question 5

Give two features of a just war (4)

Answer 5

• must be proportional- no WMDs

- good achieved must outweigh bad in war

Question 6

Give 2 similar religious beliefs about a holy war (5)

Answer 6

• Christianity- the Lord says “destroy everything that belongs to them, put to death men, women and children” (1 Samuel)- Crusades
• Hinduism- Arjuna’s dilemma- “after death one is sure to take birth again, therefore in this unavoidable discharge of your duty you should not lament” (Bhagavad Gita)

Question 7

Give two examples of individuals fighting for pacifism (5)

Answer 7

• Gandhi started Satyagraha- trust force and believe in ahimsa- “when confronted with an appontent, conquer him with love”
• Martin Luther King- “love is one of the pinnacle parts of the Christian faith, there is another called justice, but justice is really just love in calculation”

Question 8

‘The use of WMDs is never justified’ Evaluate (12)

Answer 8

FOR
-Karl Barth- intrinsically evil- “even the preparation for such a war is a sin against God”
-Gandhi- when you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love”
-never fits with just or holy war (not proportional)
AGAINST
-utilitarianism- ultimately saves more lives (USA in WW2)
-credible deterrence- UK government

Question 9

Give examples of 2 organisations that help victims of war (4)

Answer 9

• Pax Christi- brings voice of Catholic Church to civilisation to work for reconciliation
• Christian Aid- believe that scripture and a loving God can end poverty- “Lord give the people of Syria hope for freedom to replace fear and for there to be a better tomorrow”

Question 10

‘There’s no such thing as a just war’ Evaluate (12)

Answer 10

FOR
-Gandhi- “non violence is the law of the human race, violence is the law of the brute”
-Christianity- “if anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn the other cheek also” (Matthew)
-MLK- “love is one of the pinnacle parts…)
AGAINST
-just war theory criteria
-Nelson Mandela- fighting can be necessary to end war sooner
-Dietrich Boenhoeffer- “any failure to act is simple to condone evil”