Peace and Conflict

What is peace in Christianity?

Absence of war and inner tranquility through faith and prayer

Give a Christian quote about peace

‘Blessed are the peacemakers’

What does justice mean in Christianity?

Bringing about what is right and fair, linked to equality

Give a Christian quote about justice

‘Let justice roll on like a river’

What is forgiveness in Christianity?

Letting go of blame and moving on, as God forgives through Jesus

Give a Christian quote about forgiveness

‘Forgive 77 times’

What is reconciliation?

Making up and rebuilding relationships after conflict

Give a Christian quote about reconciliation

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’

What does Islam teach about peace?

Islam means peace, greeting is ‘as-salamu alaikum’ meaning peace be upon you

Give an Islamic quote about peace

‘Reply with words of peace’

What does Islam teach about justice?

Justice is central, ‘do not let hatred lead you away from justice’

What does Islam teach about forgiveness

‘God is most forgiving and merciful’

What is reconciliation in Islam?

‘Better than fasting, prayer and charity is reconciling people’ - Hadith

Christian view on violence?

Avoid violence, ‘turn the other cheek’

Islamic view on violence?

Allowed only in self defence, ‘do not kill unjustly’

What is terrorism?

Violent acts targeting civilians to instil fear, condemned by both religions

Give a Christian quote against terrorism

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’

Give an Islamic quote against terrorism

‘Do not take life, which God has made sacred’

What are the reasons for war?

Greed, retaliation, self defence

Give a Christian view on greed as a reason for war

‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil’

Give an Islamic view on greed as a reason for war

‘God does not like arrogant, boastful people’

Give a Christian view on retaliation as a reason for war

‘Do not repay evil for evil’

Give an Islamic view on retaliation as a reason for war

‘Make your response proportionate’

Give a Christian view on self defence as a reason for war

‘Defend the weak and fatherless’

Give an Islamic view on self defence as a reason for war

‘Those who have been atttacked are permitted to take up arms’

What is the Just War theory?

A war that meets criteria for fairness and is a last resort

What are some of the Just War criterion?

Has a just cause e.g. self defence, correct authority, right intention, last resort, reasonable chance of success and proportional

Who developed the Just War theory?

St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas

Christian argument for Just War?

Provides moral framework to limit harm

Christian argument against Just War?

Contradicts Jesus teachings of non-violence

Islamic view on Just War

Similar to Lesser Jihad, fight only in self defence

What is Holy War?

War fought for God or religion

Christian view on Holy War?

Rare today would rather solve the problem diplomatically, historically Crusades

Islamic view on Holy War?

Lesser Jihad, defend the faith under strict conditions

Give an Islamic quote on Holy War

‘Fight in Gods cause against those who fight you but do not overstep the limits’

What is pacifism?

Belief that war and violence are never justified

Christian view on pacifism

Quakers are pacifists, inspired by Jesus’ teaching

Islamic view on pacifism

Rare, but, forgiveness and peace better than retaliation ‘if a person is patient and forgives this is one of the greatest things’

What is a concientuous objector?

Someone who refuses to fight in a war for moral reasons

Give a Christian quote supporting pacifism

‘Blessed are the peacemakers’

What are nuclear weapons

Weapons causing mass destruction using nuclear reactions

Christian view on WMDs?

Cannot be justified, violates sanctity of life

Islamic view on WMDs?

Forbidden, life is sacred and must be protected

Give one argument against WMDs

Indiscriminate killing of civilians violates sanctity of life

Give one argument for WMDs

Deterrence to prevent large scale wars

What is peace making?

Working to bring about peace and reconciliation

Name a modern peace maker

Malala Yousafzai

Give one example of religion causing conflict

ISIS invasion of Syria and Iraq

Christian response to victims of war

‘love thy neighbout’ support organisations like Christian Aid

Muslim response to victims of war

Islamic Relief provides aid regardless of race or belief

Give a Qur’an quote about helping victims of war

‘Whoever saved a life, it would be as if they saved all mankind’

Give a Bible quote about helping victims of war

‘Love thy neighbour’

What is the sanctity of life?

Life is sacred, only God can take it away