Theme D- Religion, Peace, Conflict

Question 1

Peace - how and why (religious)

Answer 1

Religions for Peace is a worldwide organization promoting alternatives to war
Peace and non-violence are core beliefs in Buddhism
The Noble Eightfold Path (right action)
first precept (not to harm any living thing)
karuna
war is often the result of the Three Poisons (greed, hatred, ignorance)
“Peace can exist if everyone respects all others “– Dalai Lama ( won the Nobel Peace Prize)
“Blessed are the peacemakers”
“Turn the other cheek”
“Put away your swords”
“Do not kill”
Quakers + Buddhists = pacifists

Question 2

Violent protest

Answer 2

Illegal eg terrorism
Ahimsa (ethical principle of not causing harm to living things)
Buddhists have used violence in protests eg against the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the monk Thich Quang Duc set fire to himself to protest against the persecution of Buddhist monks and monasteries by the Gvmt.
“Love your enemies”
Peaceful eg Martin Luther king jr civil rights movement (racial/social)
Quakers= pacifists
Opposing apartheid in South Africa (last resort!)

Question 3

Terrorism

Answer 3

‘ one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’
social / political injustice / asserting religious beliefs
the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians

Question 4

War causes

Answer 4

Greed, self defence, retaliation

Question 5

Weapons of mass destruction religious views

Answer 5

Nucleur deterrance (roman catholic would agree/ Buddhists and quakers would disagree)
Nuclear weapons/ biologic or chemical warfare
Destruction of environment, civilians, damages future generations, does not provide just war

Question 6

Pacifists

Answer 6

Conscientious objectors (refused to participate/aid as medics/relief work/ mediators)
Quakers ‘no outward weapon’, ‘the spirit of christ will never move us to fight’

Question 7

Helping victims of war

Answer 7

The buddhist peace fellowship
‘ hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love’
‘Help others’
Christianity
‘Blessed are the peacemakers ‘
‘ treat others as you would like them to treat you ‘= golden rule
Christian peacemaker teams

Question 8

Just war theory

Answer 8

It has a just cause/lawfully declared by proper authority/good intention/last resort/reasonable chance of success/thought by just means e.g. not by weapons which are banned/avoid hurting citizens/self defence

Question 9

Peacemaking

Answer 9

Buddhists=pacifist, peace and non-violence are core beliefs
Noble eightfold path
Right action
First moral precept
Karuna and metta
Peace can exist if everyone respects all others (Dalai Lama, who won noble peace prize)
Christianity
Blessed are the peacemakers
Do not kill
Turn the other cheek
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword

Question 10

War causes

Answer 10

Retaliation, self defence, religion, different ideologies, inequality

Question 11

Religious views on war

Answer 11

Buddhists- caused by three poisons, ( greed, hatred, and ignorance)
Unskilful and will generate bad Karma
Change of existence = complicated, no direct cause
Christianity -must be a just war/ holy war, e.g. crusades (defending the religion)
Greater good - ‘lay down their lives for their friends ‘

Question 12

Forgiveness

Answer 12

Give your brother 70×7 times
Forgive us of us since we forgive those who sin against us
Reconciliation
Catholic tradition of confession (sacrament) = seek gods forgiveness
grudge🙅‍♀️
‘ human anger does not produce the righteousness God requires’
Utalitarian
But… ‘righteous anger’= appropriate response to sin ‘hate the sin not the sinner’

Question 13

Community service

Answer 13

Alternative to prison
payback for relatively minor crimes
atonement
Reformation
Rehabilitation
Can directly address the crime + Negate negative karma