Religion, War & Peace

Peace: An absence of conflict which leads to happiness and harmony

Justice: Bringing about what is right, according to the law

Sanctity of life: Life is precious and shouldnt be destroyed

In relation to War & Peace:

• If there is war, there will never be peace
• Without justice, there cannot be peace
• During war, many lives are lost, opposing the theory of life shouldnt be destroyed

Causes of War:

• Desire for resources and land
• Power and politics
• Religion and cultural differences
• Necessity- poverty and injustice

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Conflict: When countries disagree and cannot settle their differences, they often turn to war and violence

Sudan: 

• Genocide- deliberate extermination of a race, culture or religion
• Oil (Resources) are the main reason for conflict

Just War Causes (Followed by Christians, Reasons to go to war):

• Invasion, Assasination of a prominent figure
• Attack on national honour, Attack on state religion
• Economic attack, Attack on neighbour or ally
• Pre-emptive (Hitting before they do) strike, Human rights violation
• Assisting an invaded friendly nation

Holy War (followed by Muslims):

• Religion must be the driving force
• Fighting to defend a religious cause or God
• Controlled by a religious leader

Pacifists believe that:

• Violence against other people (or animals) is wrong in any situation.
• Everyone deserved the chance to live
• War damage life and the environment
• Negotiation is often the end to many conflicts
• War causes more suffering in proportion to the evil being fought

Someone may become pacifist for:

• Religion
• Belief that war is wasteful and ineffictive
• Belief in the sanctity of life

Refugees: People who flee their homes seeking safety elsewhere

The Red Cross: A voluntary relief organisation that help protect medical staff on the battlefield. They support refugees through emergency funds, helpful advice and orientation support.

Help for Heroes: Their mission is to support the wounded and their families from war. There are many recovery centres where the wounded can recover, build up strength or plan for the future

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Martin Luther King Jr: 

• Protested & campaigned peacefully for black peoples' rights
• Bus boycott & 'I have a dream' speech
• Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

NATO:

• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
• 28 members countries
• Aim is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means
• Has helped in Kosovo War & Afganistan

UN:

• United Nations
• Aims to prevent war by discussing problems between countries instead of fighting
• 192 member states
• Has helped in Syria and South Sudan

Terrorism:

• The use of violence or threats to intimidate people into doing (or not doing) something

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Weapons Of Mass Destruction:

• Weapons that cause death and destruction on a large scale
• Biological Weapons- spread a harmful disease or bacteria
• Chemical Weapons- contain toxins that cause illness or death
• Radioactive material- kills white blood cells
• Nuclear Weapons- Thousand killed from explosion and radioactivity even today

For:

• Deterrent against war
• Difficult to get rid of
• Country would be vulnerable without weapons
• Jobs working in nuclear sections would be lost
• Exodus 'an eye for an eye'

Against:

• Destruction over many years
• Spend lost on weapons- could be spent elsewhere
• Just/ Holy war doesnt agree
• Terrorists could find and use them for the wrong reasons

Jesus at the temple- Matthew 21:

In extreme circumstances, it s ok to use violence (go to war)

Beatitudes- Matthew 5:

Christians should be merciful and forgive when possible. It is not merciful to go to war

Jesus arrested- Matthew 26:

They should not go to war because if they 'use the sword', they will 'die by the sword' (in war)

Submission to Governing authorities- Romans 13:

God chose the authorities, if you rebel against them, you are rebelling against God. People should only fight if a leader tell them because God gave the leaders authority