War and Peace

Question 1

How many people have died as a result of war in the 20th century?

Answer 1

187 million

Question 2

What is the wording in the Old Testament that shows God’s attitude to war?

Answer 2

“Joshua spared no one, everyone was put to death. This was what the Lord God of Israel had commanded.” (Joshua 10:40)

Question 3

What is war seen as in the new testament?

Answer 3

A spiritual battle against evil that will culminate in a final spiritual battle at the end of time.

Question 4

How is the spiritual battle represented in the new testament?

Answer 4

“Put on the full armour of God…For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Question 5

Who can be seen as the inventor of the ‘Just War Theory’?

Answer 5

Augustine

Question 6

What are the two areas that must be appeased for it to be a ‘Just War’?

Answer 6

jus ad bellum - when it is right to go to war
and
jus in bello - conduct in war

Question 7

What does the modern day jus ad bellum comprise of (7 things)?

Answer 7

War must be in a just cause, war must be declared by competent authority, there must be just intention, there must be a comparison of justice on both sides, war must be a last resort, there should be a reasonable likelihood of success, proportionality - ‘the costs incurred by war must be proportionate to the good expected by taking up arms’ (The challenge of peace; God’s promise and our response).

Question 8

What does the modern day jus in bello comprise of (3 things)?

Answer 8

There should be a reasonable proportion between the injustice being fought and the suffering inflicted by war, proportionality mus be exercised, warfare should be discriminate.

Question 9

What is the only war in history that all scholars have deemed to be a ‘just war’?

Answer 9

World war two because it complies with all the points of jus ad bellum and jus in bello.

Question 10

What did Vardy go on to point out?

Answer 10

The fact that innocents were killed in the conflict showed how even World War 2 didn’t comply with the rules of proportionality and discrimination.

Question 11

What did Russell say as an argument for pacifism?

Answer 11

“patriots always talk of dying for their country, but never of killing for their country.”

Question 12

What are the four types of pacifism?

Answer 12

Absolute pacifism - never right to take part in war, relative pacifism - war sometimes lesser of two evils, selective/nuclear pacifism - opposing war with WMD’s, active pacifism - actively promoting peace

Question 13

What do pacifist often become during war time?

Answer 13

Conscientious objectors - don’t fight but help out with the war effort.

Question 14

What do christian pacifists do?

Answer 14

They believe that war is incompatible with Christian teachings regarding the need to love your enemies.

Question 15

Where can absolute pacifists be found within christian society.

Answer 15

In the Quakers who believe in the ‘brotherhood of man’ they say that “the spirit of Christ, which leads us into all truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man.” (Declaration of the society of friends)

Question 16

What is the aim of non violent conflict?

Answer 16

To convert your opponent and to help them to change their mind away from regression. An important element is to give them a face-saving way out, rather than humiliate them.

Question 17

What did Gandhi say about non-violence?

Answer 17

“Non-violence is a power which can be wielded equally by all - children, young men and women or grown-up people, provided they all have a living faith in the God of love and have therefore accepted equal love for all mankind.”