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RELIGION PEACE AND CONFLICT - Coggle Diagram
RELIGION PEACE AND CONFLICT
WAR
Wars have continuously occurred since the beginning of time as a means of restoring peace between nations.
Within war, laws become slightly altered as killing others is not considered to be murder (a crime).
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Despite the importance of Jesus' teachings speaking against killing and causing others harm, many Christians have been prepared to fight for their religion and country out of honour and duty.
However, other Christians strongly oppose the existence of war and try their best to promote peace e.g Quakers.
For both Muslims and Christians; peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation are all significant concepts in order to strive towards a better world, preventing and improving the aftermath of war
PEACE
- absence of conflict that leads to harmony
Wars are often fought as a means of restoring peace, however this is very difficult to achieve as the resentment and destruction left behind following war can often lead to more fighting.
Through religion and faith, many people can achieve peace which ultimately leads to calmness.
"He will judge between the nations and settle disputes...nation shall not take up sword against nation"
JUSTICE
- bringing about what is right and making up for wrongs that have been committed
Many wars are fought to achieve justice for those who have been oppressed or wrongfully treated.
Injustice is often the cause of a lot of conflict.
"If there is serious injury, you are to take eye for eye, tooth for tooth"
FORGIVENESS
- showing grace and mercy, pardoning someone for their wrongdoings
Through forgiveness, past turmoil can be overlooked and peace can be achieved rather than lingering conflict.
Christians believe that forgiveness is a core concept that must be followed if they're also wanting to be forgiven.
RECONCILLIATION
- restoring relationships following forgiveness after conflict
"...winning the peace involves a whole series of acts to help democracy and development"
- French Foreign Minister
Christians believe reconciliation is extremely important as it is so much more than just forgiveness, but the loving and conscious effort to rebuild relationships.
VIOLENT PROTEST AND TERRORISM
The right to
protest
is protected by law, providing the police forces are informed six days beforehand.
Protesting can be an impactful way to seek change within the world/society so that justice can be brought and insanity can be removed (social media, marches, strikes etc.)
Riots
however are illegal as they are unplanned and often descend into violence
e.g 2011 riots demanded justice for a young man who was shot by the police
MLK (christian pastor) was a great example of a peaceful protester who lead the Civil Rights Movement - lead boycotts and sit ins
"Meet Hate with Love"
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Christians support the use of peaceful protest in order to bring about justice and change within society to improve it so long as violence is avoided.
Most Christians disagree with the use of violence, however when violence may be used is often debated.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil...live at peace with everyone"
Terrorism
is the unlawful use of violence, often used against innocent individuals to achieve a political goal.
Many terrorists may associate their actions with their religion (e.g KKK, al-Qaeda), however most religious believers would strongly disagree with their choices as it disregards the focal teachings of peace and an avoidance of violence.
"It sets out to inflame, to divide, to produce consequences which (terrorists) they use to justify terror"
- Tony Blair
REASONS FOR WAR
It is a fact that many people are willing to fight for their country, despite the tremendous risks it entails.
GREED
is often a reason as a result of desire for
1.
More land
2.
Controlling important resources
3.
Deprive the enemy of their main source of income.
"For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with grief"
SELF-DEFENCE
against an opposition is one of the reasons for war, either for
1.
Defending one's own country or an ally when threat is made
2.
Defending a country's own values and way of life
3.
to defeat evil (e.g genocide)
RETALIATION
to deliberately respond to an attack that has been made (e.g the war between US and Afghanistan following 9/11)
This is done to
1.
fight against a country who has done something very wrong
2.
fight against who has done wrong to your own
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person, if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn them the other cheek also"
Jesus teaches against retaliation.
THE JUST WAR
A war which meets internationally agreed criteria for fairness and follows traditional Christian rules that makes a war justified.
This criteria was developed by St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas to ensure that all wars fought must be done under ethical and justifiable reasons.
Must be fought for a
JUST CAUSE
(self defence)
Must be declared by
PROPER LEGAL AUTHORITY
Must have a
JUST INTENTION
(to promote goodness
Must be a
LAST RESORT
Must have a reasonable
CHANCE OF SUCCESS
(good gained must be greater than the evil caused)
Must be
PROPORTIONAL
(excessive force should be avoided)
Must obey the Geneva Convention
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Most Christians would oppose the concept of a Just War as it defends the presence of War in the first place.
Therefore, working towards avoiding any sort of turmoil is preferred, which can be done through maintaining peace through faith, grace, and kindness
NUCLEAR WAR AND WOMD
Nuclear weapons work through the chain reactions of nuclear fission. They cause extreme devastation to large areas leading to the deaths of huge populations - Weapons of Mass Destruction
US forces used nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII leading the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians - however, the mass destruction lead to peace being restored between the nations (acts as a deterrent)
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
It is a fundamental teaching that as God is the creator, only he has the authority to take away human life.
"You shall not murder"
"any use of nuclear weapons should violate the sanctity of life and the principle of dignity core to our faith"
- Steve Hucklesby
Weapons of mass destruction not only take away human life, but obliterate the environment simultaneously.Therefore, most Christians oppose the use of nuclear weapons as humans should protect God's perfect creation as he expects up to be good stewards and use our free will for the better of mankind.
CHRISTIAN CAPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
Although some Christians believe war may be justified, almost all Christians are against the use of WMDs, however some may view them as a powerful deterrent.
HOLY WAR
Seems to be contradicting, as no killing of numerous individuals could have any religious justification.
However, in the Old Testament, there are recounts of God helping the Jews to win battles to attain the promised land.
In the crusades, both Muslims and Christians believed that God was on their side.
For Christians, a Holy War must be authorised by the correct religious authority, and must be fought only with the intent to protect the faith from attack.
Christians believe that in taking part in a Holy War, you are spiritually protected and when you die you immediately go to heaven.
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Some support the idea of retaliation
"eye for an eye"
however, this teaching was intended to teach retaliation as an individual response not over a wide range.
Some justify war through Jesus' command to buy a sword
"For all who draw by the sword, die by the sword"
but other think this was more of a warning.
PACIFISM AND PEACEMAKING
Pacifists believe that war is wrong as violence cannot be justified against other human beings, and conflict can be resolved through peace instead and the promotion of justice (it is injustice that leads to conflict initially).
During the World Wars, those who refused to take part in any violence were named
conscientious objectors
and experienced punishment as a result and condemned to being cowardly - joined non-violent roles such a medics, cooks and mechanics.
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Christian pacifists (e.g Quakers) believe that inner peace can be achieved through faith and grace in God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God"
Jesus was a pacifist which is why many Christians choose to do so too.
The
ANGELICAN PACIFIST FELLOWSHIP
is a Christian community which promotes equality and the removal of injustice in order to create a more peaceful society for people to live in. They contribute to peace campaigns internationally and help to raise awareness.
RELIGIOUS RESPONSES TO VICTIMS OF WAR
Many people are affected by war. Despite the numerous casualties, those not directly involved can also be affected:
Home destroyed by bombs or other weapons
Families of direct victims
Industries destroyed (affects whole society)
CHRISTIAN VIEWS
Christians believe that they have a duty to help those who are mentally or physically distressed as compassion and agape are core teachings that Jesus displayed a good actions.
Christian charities such as Christian Aid and Caritas seek to help these people.
They may provide:
comfort for wellbeing
financial support
a safe source of shelter
food sources
medical emergency aid