Religion, peace and conflict

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General Buddhists attitudes/beliefs about violence
Most Buddhists reject all forms of violence as contrary to the 1st precept and violating the principle of ahimsa. Life is precious and always to be respected. According to the Dhammapada, a great man is one who ‘hurts not any living being’.
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Why do some Buddhists accept the use of violence?
Some Buddhists might justify limited violence used in defence of one’s family. This would be seen as the application of skilful means. The Buddha’s rules for monks and nuns allowed them to use violence in self-defence but forbade killing.
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Why do some Christians accept the use of violence?
Violence may be justified as a last resort. It may be the only way to get rid of a corrupt regime and restore justice. In protest at the misuse of the Temple, Jesus overturned the merchants’ tables
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Why do some Christians reject all violence? (Pacifists)
Jesus taught that violence is counter-productive. Violence encourages retaliation and so makes the situation worse. At his arrest he said to his disciples, ‘Put away your swords. Those who live by the sword die by the sword.
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Buddhism on weapons of mass destruction
The 1st moral precept and the principle of ahimsa are breached. The Dhammapada states: ‘All living things fear being put to death. Putting oneself in the place of the other, let no one kill nor cause another to kill’.
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Why do some Christians agree with the possession of nuclear weapons?
The possession of nuclear weapons is justified on the grounds of deterrence and protection. Governments have a duty to keep their citizens safe. Protection of the vulnerable is a key biblical teaching
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Why do some Christians disagree with nuclear weapons?
The potential for indiscriminate killing and injury to thousands of innocent people, eg at Hiroshima, can never be justified on any grounds. These weapons create terrible long-term misery and their use does not show ‘love of neighbour’
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Why do most Buddhists support pacifism?
Most Buddhists reject all forms of violence as contrary to the 1st precept and violating the principle of ahimsa. War creates immense suffering and death.
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Why are some Buddhists not pacifists?
Some Buddhist nations go to war because they see it as their duty to protect their citizens from attack. This is justified as the use of skilful means. The loss of life through killing enemy soldiers is outweighed by the far greater number of innocen
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Why are some Christians pacifists?
Martin Luther King taught that hatred could only be driven out by the force of love. He achieved civil rights for black Americans without ever responding to violence with violence. This refusal to use force fulfilled Jesus’ turn the other cheek'
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Why are some Christians not pacifists?
a war that follows the rules of the Just War theory may result in lasting peace Bonhoeffer accepted that sometimes regimes are so evil that only the use of violence will overthrow them and restore justice.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Some Buddhists might justify limited violence used in defence of one’s family. This would be seen as the application of skilful means. The Buddha’s rules for monks and nuns allowed them to use violence in self-defence but forbade killing.

Back

Why do some Buddhists accept the use of violence?

Card 3

Front

Violence may be justified as a last resort. It may be the only way to get rid of a corrupt regime and restore justice. In protest at the misuse of the Temple, Jesus overturned the merchants’ tables

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Jesus taught that violence is counter-productive. Violence encourages retaliation and so makes the situation worse. At his arrest he said to his disciples, ‘Put away your swords. Those who live by the sword die by the sword.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The 1st moral precept and the principle of ahimsa are breached. The Dhammapada states: ‘All living things fear being put to death. Putting oneself in the place of the other, let no one kill nor cause another to kill’.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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