AQA GCSE RS Short course Peace and conflict beliefs

Violent protest

Christianity - Christians are taught to love everyone and spread peace, so generally oppose violent protest. This is supported in the Bible: "Love thy neighbour". This encourages Christians to not be violent and be peaceful, even when they are protesting against injustice as they should love one another.

Islam - Muslims believe that violent protest is permitted due to lesser jihad. This means that the protest must have a valid reason (just) and must be only to defend their religion. So, violence must sometimes occur so that injustice can be opposed, this is supported in the Quran: "They are permitted to take up arms for they have been wronged".

Terrorism

Christianity - Christians believe that terrorism is wrong as it violates the commandment "Do not kill" from the Bible. This means that all acts of terrorism are condemned as they involve the killing of masses of innocent people. This goes against the teachings of Jesus and the sanctity of life.

Islam - Muslims believe that terrorism is condemned as it can never be justified. They believe that it cannot be justified as lesser jihad as that involves personal struggle and terrorism doesn't. It is also said in the Quran to not kill - "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden", so Muslims strongly oppose terrorism and will never support it.

Peace

Christianity - Christians believe that, by being peaceful, they are blessed by God. This is supported in the Bible: "Blessed are the peacemakers". Therefore, to Christians, being peaceful to others is essential as it means they ate following the example of Jesus and so they will be blessed by him.

Islam - Muslims believe that since Islam means peace and they greet each other by saying 'peace be with you', it is a vital teaching. This is supported in the Quran: "Reconciliation is best". Therefore, Muslims believe that being peaceful to others and avoiding conflict is the best option.

Justice

Chrsitianity - Jesus acted against injustice by overthrowing the tables of money changers in the temple. Christians are encouraged to do the same and fight against injustice in order to follow Jesus's path and teachings.

Islam - Justice is a quality of Allah as one of his 99 names is 'The Just'. Muslims should therefore mirror this by being just and fair to others as it is what Allah does. They believe this will also grant them Allah's mercy.

Forgiveness

Christianity - Christians believe that showing forgiveness to others is required to gain forgiveness from God. Supported in the Bible: "Forgive our sin as we forgive those who sin against us", so Christians will always try and forgive others as they know only then will God forgive them when they pray.

Islam - Muslims believe that forgiveness is essential to gain mercy from Allah. This is supported in the Quran: "If you forgive, then indeed Allah is merciful". Therefore, Muslims will always prioritise showing forgiveness to other rather than seeking vengeance as it will earn them mercy from Allah when they need it.

Reconciliation

Christianity - Christians believe that Jesus taught reconciliation and they should follow his example. This is because they belive that making peace after conflict is an essential part of their religion and relates to forgiveness. It is supported in the Bible: "Blessed are the peacemakers", so Christians are encourage to make peace with others in order to gain God's blessing.

Islam - It is taught in the Quran that the best option is always reconciliation and not retaliation or violence: "Reconciliation is best" - Quran. This means that Muslims are encouraged to not be violent if possible and always look to be peaceful first.

Pacifism

Christianity - Pacifist Christians belive that they are following the example of Jesus and his teachings. They live by the ethos of "Blessed are the peacemakers" from the Bible and completely oppose all violence. A pacifist Christians group is Quakers, they believe that Jesus was a pacifist and so they should be too.

Islam - Many Muslkms are against Pacifism and they believe in lesser jihad. This means that sometimes violence must occur in order to defend their religion and oppose injustice. This is supported in the Quran: "They are permitted to take up arms for they have been wronged."

Nuclear Weapons + deterrence

Christianity - Some Christians see Nuclear deterrence as right and permitted by God as it prevents war and therefore promotes peace. This therefore follows Jesus's teachings and so is permitted by some in Christianity.

Islam - The use of nuclear weapons is prohibited in Islam because Muslims believe that Muhammad forbade the killing of innocent civilians. Therefore, as the sheer size of these weapons are so great, innocent civilians would inevitably be killed and therefore there use violates the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. It also goes against the Quran's teaching of how to make your response proportionate.

Weapons of mass destruction

Christianity - Some Christians see Nuclear deterrence as right and permitted by God as it prevents war and therefore promotes peace. This therefore follows Jesus's teachings and so is permitted by some in Christianity.

Islam - The use of nuclear weapons is prohibited in Islam because Muslims believe that Muhammad forbade the killing of innocent civilians. Therefore, as the sheer size of these weapons are so great, innocent civilians would inevitably be killed and therefore there use violates the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. It also goes against the Quran's teaching of how to make your response proportionate.

Christianity - Some Christians, such as Quakers who are pacifists, are completely against weapons of mass destruction as it goes against their ethos of "Blessed are the peacemakers" from the Bible because weapons if mass destruction can never be peaceful. It therefore violates there core beliefs of pacifism and non violence and so is seen as completely wrong.

Just War Theory

Christianity - Christians support the just war theory as it means that war can happen, so people can fight for their country against evil and no innocent civilians are harmed. The fact that justice is essential is supported in the Bible: "Learn to do right; seek justice". This means that Christians are permitted to fight, as long as it is for a just reason, as is said in the just war theory.

Islam - Muslims belive in lesser jihad, so they support the just war theory as they accept violence is sometimes necessary. This is supported in the Quran: "They are permitted to take up arms for they have been wronged". This means that Muslims believe war can occur, as long as it is a fight to defend their religion and protect the people.