Theme D – War, Peace & Conflict Flashcards

Question

Example of a Holy War from the Old Testament – Battle of Jericho (Joshua)

Answer 1

The city of Jericho was a God-forsaken place … The gates of the city were securely barred: no one went out and no one came in. Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the LORD has given us the city!” When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at that sound the walls collapsed in front of their eyes; the army charged straight in, and they conquered the city. They devoted the city to God and destroyed every living thing in it — men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

Answer 2

• The Crusades are the most famous example of Christians engaged in ‘Holy War’. • 11th -13th Century AD • Purpose was to regain the Holy Land (particularly Jerusalem) from the Muslims. • The Pope at the time told those fighting they would be forgiven for sins committed during the fighting: this is called ‘plenary indulgence’.

Answer 3

• Examples from scripture show God does sometimes support war e.g. Battle of Jericho where Joshua was told to lead his army into Jericho and kill people • Jesus’ righteous anger – In the temple, Jesus flipped tables in anger as people were disrespecting God • A Holy War could be a “just war” if the intention is justified e.g. fighting to protect human rights could be considered as protecting the Sanctity of Life • Christians are taught to stand up for those being persecuted • Plenary indulgences – sins will be forgiven if you fight in a Holy War according to the Catholic Church during the Crusades

Answer 4

• Belief in “Sanctity of Life” – life is sacred and should be protected at all costs • Jesus – message of forgiveness. Jesus taught to forgive everyone – ‘forgive not 7 but 77 times’ (Matthew) • Bible quotes against violence – ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matthew) • Exodus 20:13 – ‘You shall not murder’ is one of 10 Commandments and Holy Wars kill people • Quakers – pacifism, violence is never acceptable as they are absolute pacifists • Religious freedom / tolerance

Answer 5

• September 11th 2001 • 19 hijackers on 4 passenger planes • 2977 people killed, including 343 firefighters and 71 police officers • Further 6000 injured • $10 billion damage • Responsibility claimed by Islamist terrorist group Al-Qaeda and their leader Osama bin Laden

Answer 6

• 23 people killed • Further 800 injured, many children • Bomber identified as 22-year old British-born local man • Not linked to any particular terrorist group • Believed to have been radicalised by Islamic extremists whilst in Libya

Answer 7

This is a very complex question. In attempting to understand why terrorists commit the acts they do, we are not attempting to justify or excuse what they have done. However, trying to understand what causes someone to commit such acts might go some way to helping governments and countries avoid or prevent terrorism. Often terrorists may feel that they have no other choice or path – to them, the cause they are fighting for is so important that it justifies any act, even the most extreme violence. They might believe that their violence is the only way to force change

Answer 8

In today’s newspapers, most of the terrorism we hear about is associated with extreme branches of religions such as Islam, such as the Islamic State group, the Taliban, or Al-Qaeda. However, it is very important to understand that these groups do not represent Islam and have nothing at all to do with the way that Islam is practiced across the world, as a religion of peace. Terrorist groups, though they may claim to be acting on behalf of their religion, have distorted Islamic beliefs, and act in a way that is completely un- Muslim. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in the world desire peace and integration with other religions and cultures.

Answer 9

Muslims across the world believe in a concept called jihad. The literal meaning of the word “jihad” is “struggle” or “effort” and refers to the day-to-day effort to put God first in their lives and to live their lives in the way God would want. According to the majority of Muslims, this is the correct understanding of the word jihad. However, some interpret the word jihad to mean something different; they believe it refers to a literal battle or war to ensure that Islam is not only put first by the individual Muslim, but by the whole world. Therefore, terrorists use the idea of jihad to try to justify forcing their religion on other people or intimidating and killing those who refuse to accept their ideas

Answer 10

Often, terrorists believe firmly that they are doing what God wants. This viewpoint makes terrorists very determined, and difficult to convince of another opinion. Some terrorists have been ‘brainwashed’ by propaganda to the extent that it is extremely difficult to have a reasoned conversation with them. They strongly believe that they are doing the right thing: to them the violence they commit is God’s will and they are fighting a ‘holy war’.

Answer 11

- Terrorism is unjustifiable - Catechism said “terrorism kills indiscriminately” - Use of terror and hatred is never acceptable and peaceful solutions should be found to resolve conflict - Catholic Church accepts responding to terrorism with war (under Just War Theory) - “Those who, in order to safeguard human rights, make use of violence in the defence of the weakest, provided they do so without harming the rights and obligations of others and societies, bear legitimate witness to Christ.” – Catechism of Catholic Church

Answer 12

- Terrorism is unjustifiable - CoE accepts responding to terrorism with war (under Just War Theory) if war is the last resort - CoE teaches to respect and tolerate other faiths and work for reconciliation as strong communities can fight against terrorism - “We must fight this by strengthening our communities and our love for all people: we are to look one another in the eye and see there all that is good.” Archbishop of canterbury, Justin Welby

Answer 13

Generally, Christianity teaches that it is a Christian moral duty to help anyone who is suffering. Biblical passages such as “love your neighbour as yourself ” (Matthew 7) and “Do good to everyone” (Galatians 6) make it very clear to Christians that they must care for others, and this is considered a basic Christian principle. This principle therefore includes care and support for victims of war or violence, and Christianity teaches that any victim of violence should be cared for regardless of who they are or which ‘side’ they are on.

Answer 14

- a man was left for dead on the street, two Jewish leaders ignored the man but a Samaritan (who was an enemy of the injured man) stopped to help the man. The Samaritan took him to an inn and offered to pay for his treatment until he was better.

Answer 15

Caritas are a Catholic Charity that work around the world. They focus on conflict zones. No more will violence be heard in your land, despoiling or breakdown within your boundaries. – (Isaiah 60:18) Work in Ukraine - offering emergency shelter, essential food supplies, clean water, healthcare services, psychosocial support, and livelihood assistance, both within Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.

Answer 16

Christian Aid was set up after World War Two to help refugees in Europe. It now works in disaster zones around the world. How do they help? - Raise money and awareness of key issues around the world to end wars - Gaza conflict: raising awareness and wanting votes for a ceasefire - Provide clean water, food and emergency supplies to the poor around the world especially those in warzones

Answer 17

• Nothing can ever justify killing or harming another human being • The sanctity of human life is more important than any other belief or any other concern or interest you may have • Violence in self-defence is not an acceptable course of action to take

Answer 18

• War as a last resort can sometimes be the only sensible course of action • Violence is never right but it is sometimes necessary in order to bring about justice e.g. The Just War Theory • Sometimes it is better to commit a sin so that a greater wrong can be righted

Answer 19

• Quakers are absolute pacifists. As such, during both world wars, Quakers refused to fight. • Some supported the war effort in other ways such as by becoming medics on the battlefields, delivering food to troops, or training as ambulance drivers. But others refused to have anything to do with the war at all and for this there were severe consequences. • Many Quakers became known as conscientious objectors: people who objected to the war because of their beliefs (their conscience). • A Quaker memorial was put up to honour those men and women who refused to fight in WW1 and WW2 and were imprisoned, tortured, and sometimes even killed for refusing to fight.

Answer 20

Civil Rights leader, USA In 1950s and 1960s America, Martin Luther King (a member of the Baptist Christian Church) protested peacefully for significant change in civil rights laws, protesting against laws which were unjust and which allowed violence and hatred to flourish.

Answer 21

Pat Gaffney is the former General Secretary of the Catholic peace organisation Pax Christi. Her work with this organisation centres around campaigning to parliament for nuclear disarmament, working with MPs to find peaceful resolutions for issues of local violence, and speaking to the UN about possible peaceful solutions to global crises. Pax Christi, for example, argue that the Christian faith “demands action” and that you cannot be a true Christian without this – faith without works is

Answer 22

Vote for political parties which support nuclear disarmament. Write to MPs about peaceful solutions for local issues. Donate money or time to campaigns and organisations such as Pax Christi. Do not participate in the culture of violence created by the media and entertainment business. Volunteer for projects which attempt to heal local division or unrest. Speak openly to others about the benefits and practicalities of peaceful solutions. Vote for MPs who have a pacifist standpoint on major issues such as military spending. Join peaceful protests about issues you feel strongly about. Be peaceful in your own life – set an example of peace not violence.

Answer 23

•Maintain peace after fighting to make sure that war does not happen again •Protects Sanctity of Life (all human life should be protected) as you are working to save lives and rebuild in peace •Giving countries time to work on peaceful solutions for a long term benefit e.g. trade agreement to share resources •Without forgiveness, you are bringing hatred and evil towards that person which means your actions towards them will always be negative •Jesus taught everyone to love their enemies and bring peace “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew)

Answer 24

1.Fighting and violence will continue 2. Causing more harm to other people and innocent people 3. Innocent people could die, future generations will also feel the impact e.g. Russia and Ukraine war – no reconciliation from Russia previously invading Ukraine, no peaceful resolution from either side

Answer 25

•Eric was captured by the Japanese in WW2. He was forced to build the Burma Railway known as Death Railway as a form of tutor •Eric had been making a radio device in secret to get help but the Japanese discovered this and tortured Eric including a man who was very brutal to him called Mr Nagase. Eric was released eventually but said he wanted to murder Mr Nagase. •After the war, Eric and Mr Nagase met in Thailand. Eric learnt that Mr Nagase was know a translator for the allies to find mass graves and bodies so they could be sent home to lay to rest. Eric saw Mr Nagase and shook hands. When he did this, Mr Nagase broke down in tears and said he was so sorry. Eric asked how he was doing and showed him respect and kindness

Answer 26

•Saved Jewish people in the Holocaust, they got caught, her father and sister were killed but the SS officer released her. Corrie says this was an act of God. •Corrie preached that she would always forgive those who hurt her. •Corrie then met the officer her released her but she saw him and all her memories came flooding back which made her angry and unable to shake his hand. She prayed to God for help. •She said when their hands met, she was filled with a love (agape) for her captor. She said this was Jesus as loving your enemies means you are loving Jesus