RE - Philosophy and Ethics

All Christians

Believe that they have a duty to aim for peace in the world

They aim for peace, truth and justice

War cannot be easily justified

Pacifists

They believe that war and violence is wrong

"Do not kill" and "Love your enemies"

Examples - Martain Luther King and Quakers

Some Christians

Will never go to war, they believe violence is wrong - however, wars that aim to punish evil are considered peaceful acts and are the best option. Where as some will go to war if the Just War conditions are met

Pacifism is the belief that any use of violence is wrong

Some "peaceful methods" that pacifists use are:

Sanctions

Protests

Brycotts

Some quotes to support their views are:

"Love your enemies"

"Live at peace with everyone"

Example of Christian pacifists

The Quakers - a Christian Church who ae completely against violence

                    - refer to teachings in the bible such as "pray for those who persecute you"

                    - believe in disarmament (getting rid of nuclear weapons)

                    - would be conscientious objectors in war situations but would help by driving                                 ambulances

                    - point to the fact that the government spends 5 times as much on the military                               as overseas aid and foreign affairs put together

                    - violence is not compatible with the biblical teaching on love

Biological weapons - bacteria, viruses or other infective materials in them that can lead to disease or death

Chemical weapons - used in World War 1, different types of chemical weapons can cause choking, burning, paralysis and destruction of the environment

Nuclear weapons - weapons that work by nuclear reaction, cause huge devistation and afterwards, radioactivity falls out and kills many more than the original explosion

Nuclear disarmament - the giving up of nuclear weapons

Arguments for weapons

Act as a deterrent

Would make the country vunerable if there were none

Two countries with these weapons would not attack each other

Arguments against weapons

Are an unacceptable risk to humanity

Irresponsible governments or terrorists might obtain them

The destruction they would cause cannot be justified for any reason

Reform - helps people to change their ways

Deterrence - punishing people so much that it puts them off comitting a crime

Retribution - the criminals should pay for what they have done

Protection - society should be protected from the criminal and their offences

Vindication - to show that the law is being upheld

Christianity teaches forgiveness for wrong doings

Christians believe criminals should be given the opportunity to change and start afresh after release

Christians are supposed to treat individuals equally

Prejudice - your attitude or feelings towards something

Discrimination - acting on your attitude/feeling towards something

Christian teachings towards gender

Christians believe men and women are of equal worth and value

Some Christians believe men and women should have equal rights and should do the same roles

Other Christians believe men and women should stay and look after the home and children

Jesus treated women with respect and accepted them for who they were

Forgiveness - to stop resenting someone or feeling anry with them, letting go of your anger

Reconciliation - repairing a broken relationship between two or more people

Christian teachings about forgiveness

God is merciful and forgives people if they repent (are sorry for their actions)

Humans are not perfect and will continue to make mistakes. However God will continue to forgive them if they are truly sorry

Christians remember Gods forgiveness in the Holy Communion service

God is prepared to forgive us - we should forgive others (lords prayer)

Forgiveness is not limited

Roman Catholics can go and confess their sins to a priest

Forgiveness - to stop resenting someone or feeling anry with them, letting go of your anger

Reconciliation - repairing a broken relationship between two or more people

Christian teachings about forgiveness

God is merciful and forgives people if they repent (are sorry for their actions)

Humans are not perfect and will continue to make mistakes. However God will continue to forgive them if they are truly sorry

Christians remember Gods forgiveness in the Holy Communion service

God is prepared to forgive us - we should forgive others (lords prayer)

Forgiveness is not limited

Roman Catholics can go and confess their sins to a priest

Christian attitudes towards other religions

CHRISTIANS HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS

Some Chrisitans believe Christianity is the only way to God

Soem Christians believe there are many paths to God and Christianity is one of the paths - ALL RELIGIONS ARE EQUAL

Evangelism - persuading others to share your faith

Ecumenism - movement trying to unite Christians who worship or do things differently eg.                                  Catholics and Protestants

Missionary work - Taking the Christian message to people in other countries