theme D - the Just War theory

what is the just war theory

ethical theories used by christians to ensure a war is morally justifiable

who created this theory, and why does this give the theory high authority?

- Augustine of Hippo created this

- he was an early Christian

- this gives the theory high authority, as it was created long ago but is still used by Christians and Churches today

example of an unjust war + dates

Afghanistan War 2001 - 2021

why was afghanistan war unjust - give stat and principle

- 71 thousand civilians killed

- this violates the "innocents should not be harmed"

example of a just war

WW2

why could you argue that WW2 is just - give explanation + principles

- Hitler had an aggressive foreign policy + Britain tried to deal with the Nazis thru peace talks which failed

- follows the "last resort" principle

how can you evaluate the argument of ww2 being just

- argue it is also unjust

- toward the end of the war USA dropped nuclear bomb on Japan

- this was unjust - the force used was not proportional, "force used should be proportional"

why may many Christians be against war/ pacifist

- Jesus was pacifist + he has high authority

how do Christians justify war

by saying it is a consequence of God's decision to give us free will

what role do Catholics often chose to play in war

- conscientious objectors

- they will not be involved with weapons but can do things like cook

what are the 7 principles of the just war theory (PLARJIS)

- JUST cause -needs to be moral reason

- proper AUTHORITY

- RIGHT intention

- LAST resort

- reasonable chance of SUCCESS

- INNOCENTS should not be harmed

- force used should be PROPORTIONAL

which just war principles should i write abt in an essay (FRIL)

- right intention

- last resort

- innocents should not be harmed

- force used should be proportional

last resort principle quote

"a time for war" - Bible

- sometimes war must be fought as last resort

innocents should not be harmed principle quote

"You shall not kill"

evaluate the innocents should not be harmed quote

- "you shall not kill" - shows unlawful killing is wrong

- and if a war is just, then it is legal and so the killing is not unlawful

force used should be proportional quote

"make your response proportionate"

Christian quote about holy war

"For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer"