Religion: Peace and Conflict

The United Nations (UN) was set up in 1945. It has 193 members in total, with 5 permanent (USA, UK, Russia, China and France).

It is important for world peace because:

• It imposes sanctions on those threatening world peace.
• It authorises the use of force against those threatening world peace.
• They send in peace keeping force to keep opposing sides apart.
• They also send in peace keeping forces to enforce peace agreements.

An example of one of their works for peace is Kosovo. In the 1980s Kosovo became a part of Serbia, but tried (peacefully) to gain independence. The majority of Kosovans were Albanians and formed the KLA to forcefully gain independence. The Serbian army began ethnic cleansing, which led to thousands of deaths and refugees. NATO bombed Serbia until its forces withdrew. The UN then took over and what they did was:

• Sent peacekeeping force in to keep the Serbian army out.
• Protected Kosovan Independence.
• Allowed Kosovan democracy to develop.
• Helped the EU to aid Kosovo to develop into an independent democratic state.

Religious organisations (Such as Pax Christi (Christian organisation) and Muslim Peace Fellowship (Muslim organisation) work to establish peace in the following ways:

• Encourage reconciliation.
• Educate both sides.
• Teach forgiveness.
• Encourage non-violent protest.
• Campaign against oppressive governments.
• Keeping people informed about injustices.
• Encouraging both sides to talk to each other.
• Speaking out against human rights abuses.

Wars can occur because of:

• Religion - If a religious country sees another country treating its followers of that religion with disrespect, they may want to intervene to protect them. For example, Serbia invaded Kosovo to protect Christians it felt were badly treated by Muslims.
• Nationalism - Thinking that all minorities should be removed from a country. For example, Hitler wanted all Jews removed from Germany.
• Economics - One country has resources another country wants or needs. For example, Iraq was invaded for its oil reserves.
• Politics - One country may want to follow a political ideal and convert other countries to it. For example, North Korea invaded South Korea in order to unite the whole country under Communism.

A just war is a war that is fought for the right reasons and in the right way. There are 7 factors that make a war just:

1) The cause must be just (e.g. to stop injustice or as self-defence).

2) The war must be declared by proper authority (e.g. the UN or government).

3) The purpose must be to restore peace.

4) It must be a last resort, after everything else has been tried.

5) There must be a reasonable chance of success.

6) The methods involved avoid harming civilians.

7) The methods involved are proportional and fair (the amount of force must be only enough to succeed - no more).

Some Christians are pacifists and disagree with all forms of violence:

• Jesus taught that Christians should not fight, "Turn the other cheek".
• The 6th Commandment says "Thou shalt not kill".
• Jesus set an example of non violence and stopped Peter from using violence by saying "Those who live by the sword die by the sword".
• For the first 300 years Christians and their leaders refused to fight in wars.

Others believe Christians can fight in just wars:

• Jesus never condemned soldiers or their actions.
• To fight to defend the weak and bring peace is a church teaching.
• In the Bible, St Paul says Christians have to obey the government and this would apply to a just war.
• Jesus said "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's", again saying Christians should obey the proper authorities.

Muslims believe in peace (Islam = peace) but Islam teaches that if the faith is attacked, Muslims must defend their faith by fighting a Lesser Jihad (a just war fought in a just way). They believe this because:

• It is taught in the Qur'an and the Qur'an is the Word of Allah so it must be followed.
• Muhammad is an example for Muslims of how to live and he fought in just wars.
• Muhammad made many statements saying that Muslims should fight in just wars, and Muslims should follow his teachings.
• The Qur'an teaches that anyone who dies fighting in a just war will go straight to Heaven.

All Christians are against bullying because:

• The Bible says that using violence without cause is sinful and bullying always involves this.
• In Christianity, individuals are created in the image of God and God's creation. Bullying is therefore mistreating God's creation.
• Jesus taught that it is the duty of Christians to protect the weak and innocent, e.g. the parable of the Good Samaritan. Bullying does the opposite and so it must be wrong.
• All churches teach that Christians should protect human rights and bullying is wrong because it denies human rights.

All Muslims are against bullying because:

• Muslims are all members of the Ummah (Muslim brotherhood) and should have equal respect. Bullying is going against the Ummah.
• The Qur'an teaches that it is the duty of Muslims to protect the weak and innocent so it must be wrong.
• Muhammad said "Every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim" so they should not bully.
• Islamic society is based on the Shari'ah Law and bullying does not show respect for this law.

Religious conflict within families can be about:

• Children no longer wanting to take part in their parents' religion - Parents may worry that their children will not be with them in the afterlife and that they'll become immoral without religion.
• Children wanting to marry a partner from a different faith - Concerns about which religion the children will be brought up in and where the couple will be buried.
• Children becoming more religious than their parents and start criticising them.
• Disagreement over moral issues.

Christians believe in forgiveness and reconciliation because:

• Jesus allowed reconciliation between God and humans by dying on the cross to bring forgiveness for sins.
• Jesus said if people do not forgive those who have sinned against them, then God will not forgive their sins.
• St Paul said that Christians should try to live in peace with everyone. This peace can only be reached through forgiveness and reconciliation.
• Christianity is based on the concept of forgiveness and reconciliation and all churches teach this.

Muslims believe in forgiveness and reconciliation because:

• Allah is merciful to sinners so Muslims should also be merciful and forgiving to others.
• On the day of Judgement Muslims will ask Allah for forgiveness, they cannot do this if they are not prepared to forgive others.
• The Qur'an teaches this and the Qur'an is the Word of Allah so must be followed.
• Muhammad made many statements saying that Muslims should forgive others and Muslims should follow his teachings.