RE - War and Peace

"Turn the other cheek" (New Testament) - Forgive those who have wronged you.

"Love thy neighbour" - care for everyone even those you hate.

"Put your sword back in it's place" said Jesus "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

Quakers - a pacifist denomination.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God." (New Testament)

"The lord is a warrior: the lord is his name."

Roman Catholics recognise right of self defense

"Allah loves those who fight in his cause" (Qur'an)

Lesser Jihad - Violent struggle to defend Islam.

"Hate your enemy mildly, for he may become your friend one day" - We shouldn't hate and should forgive people.

"Paradise is for... those who curb their anger and forgive fellow men." 

"If two parties of believers take up arms... make peace between them"

When meeting each other they say "As-salāmu ʿalaykum" meaning peace be upon you.

"And if you have to respond to an attack, respond only to the extent of the attack levelled against you."

Thervada Buddhists - Killing is always wrong.

Mahayana Buddhists - Killing is wrong however it may be necessary to save others.

"A man is not a great man because he is a warrior and kills other men." 

“Let a man avoid evil deeds as a man who loves life avoids poison” (Buddha)

"Hatred does not stop hatred only love stops it." - War is not the answer.

Right action, intention etc...

Biological - bacteria and viruses pollute food, water and atmosphere leading to disease and death.

Nuclear - nuclear radiation e.g. WW2 Hiroshima

Chemical - phosphorus causes choking, burning etc. damages environment e.g. WW1 Britain and Germany.

Campaign for Nuclear Diasarment - pressure group that produces information, visits schools and campaigns to government.

Just war - a war is only justified if it follows the criteria:

• A high chance of success
• Equal amount of weapons
• Must be started by authority / leader
• Must not involve innocent civilians
• For a worthy cause
• Last resort - tried all peaceful methods
• Right intention - aim for peace 
• Only use amount of weapons necessary

Holy war - fight for their religion or God. It must follow the just war criteria.

Peacekeeping forces - organisations that work to create world peace.

United Nations - protects human rights in areas of conflict and aims to keep peace between countries.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) - a military alliance of countries that use force to implement peace agreements.

The Geneva Summit 1955 - in the Cold War the leaders of Big 4 countries came together to begin discussions on peace.

To defend their country or beliefs

Political disagreement

To stop genocide

To defend an ally

Civil war against the government

To gain or reclaim land

Pacifism - the belief that violence against other human beings is wrong

Terrorism - extremists that use violence to create fear and show their beliefs

Peace - an absence of war, harmony between people and justice for all.

Sanctity of life - Muslim and Christian  belief that all life sacred and God given therefore shouldn't be destroyed.

Deaths and injuries

Disease and famine

Displacement - people leave as refugees

Destruction of houses and public buildings

Loss of education (No schools)

Less people working so less services

Population problems

It can reclaim land / resources that have wrongfully been taken

Acts as a deterrent to prevent global harm

Can defend a nation under attack 

Help a weaker ally

Humans are greedy and have been fighting over resources for centuries.

When all peaceful methods have been tried it is only option

Survival of the fittest

Some humans are naturally aggressive and war is inevitable

Mohandas Ghandhi - Hindu leader of india who campaigned peacefully for indian independence from Britain and passed laws in South Africa.

Dalai Lama - Leader of Tibetan Buddhists who used peace for tibetan liberation from China. Believes all violence is wrong.