theme d

peace definition

• absence of conflict

• which leads to

• happiness and harmony

justice definition

• bringing about what is right and fair

• according to the law

• or making up for a wrong

• that has been committed

forgiveness definition

• showing grace and mercy

• and pardoning someone

• for what they have done wrong

reconciliation definition

• restoration of harmony

• after relationships have broken down

links between justice and peace

• if society is just, things in society are right and fair

• if all things in society are right and fair

• it won’t be necessary to use conflict to make things right and fair

• thus justice leads to peace

links between forgiveness and reconciliation

• if you are able to pardon someone’s wrongdoing

• you are more likely to be able to reconcile with them

• if you hold onto negative feelings, then true reconciliation is much harder to achieve

• thus forgiveness can help the process of reconciliation

Christian views on peace

• believe peace should be the priority, not war

• some Christians believe war is acceptable IF it brings about peace

• many Christians emphasise that being in a loving relationship with God will result in Christians being motivated to share that love

• this love would demand peaceful resolutions of disputes

Christian views on justice

• Christians regard God as the perfect judge

• Christians need to follow God’s example by acting justly in their everyday life

• justice is a key Christian value as Christians believe that all people are of equal value to God

• Jesus makes it clear people should work for justice in the Bible

• by helping those who are less fortunate

Christian views on forgiveness

• forgiveness is seen as duty in Christianity

• ultimate example comes from God

• where God gave His only Son, Jesus to die to atone for humanity’s sins

• Jesus also taught forgiveness, telling his followers that forgiveness should not be limited to 7 times but 77

• Christians would thus look to offer forgiveness for wrongdoings rather than escalate to war where possible

• if a war was to happen, Christians would pursue forgiveness to secure peace after the fact

Christian views on reconciliation

• reconciliation has a central place within Christianity

• purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion was to reconcile human beings with God

• Christians ought to follow Jesus’ example by ensuring that, if they fall into broken relationships, they do all they can to repair them

• Jesus’ teachings stress reconciliation over revenge

Islamic views on peace

• in Islam, peace is not just about an absence of war but also a submission to Allah, which brings a spiritual peace

• the word ‘Islam’ originates from the word ‘salaam’, which means ‘peace’ or ‘safety’

• the Qur’an stresses the importance of peace

• Prophet Muhammad stressed that peace was ideal

• when Muhammad was persecuted by the Meccans, he refused to fight, instead fleeing

• Muhammad only used force as a last resort, when it was necessary in the Battle of Badr

Islamic views on justice

• one of the 99 names of Allah is ‘Al-Adl’ (‘the Just’)

• the name ‘Al-Adl’ reflects the belief that Allah is Himself just and He has given laws to help people live justly

• Muslims thus focus on submitting to Allah, involving follows His laws, which will in turn bring about justice

• for example, Allah instructs Zakah (charity)

• this ensures justice amongst social classes

Islamic views on forgiveness

• Muslims believe Allah is the ultimate example of forgiveness

• one of Allah’s 99 names is ‘al-Rahim’ (‘the Most Merciful’)

• Allah gives forgiveness to those that deserve it

• all people will, at some point in their lifetime, do wrong and thus all require forgiveness

• the Qur’an encourages forgiveness

Islamic views on reconciliation

• Prophet Muhammad’s conduct in the Battle of Badr is important to teach Muslims about reconciliation

• Muhammad did not kill those soldiers he caught

• Muhamad also attempted to build good relations with the enemy soldiers by offering to release them if they were given the opportunity to education

• these actions can be seen as being aimed at reconciliation

• as it makes restoring good relationships much easier

UK’s views on protesting

• UK citizens have the freedom to protest in public and demonstrate their point of view

• if the protest involves a procession or march, legally the police must be informed at least 6 days before it takes place

• UK citizens DO NOT have the right to protest violently

riot definition

• unplanned protest

• which descends into violence

violent protest - 12 marker - FOR

• it brings more attention to the chosen cause

  • e.g. the Leed Riots brought attention to their cause through their violent actions ending up on national media

• puts people in power under pressure to bring about reform

  • e.g. Mandela used violent protests to end apartheid in South Africa, with him ending up as Prime Minister

violent protest - 12 marker - AGAINST

• peaceful protest can be as impactful, if not more than violent protest, making people more likely to want to listen your cause

  • Martin Luther King’s peaceful protests in the USA brought about national civil change which ended widespread segregation, causing an equal rights legislation to be passed into law

• Jesus and the Bible preach against the use of violence, instead preaching for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation

  • “do everything possible to live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18)

how were black people discriminated against in South Africa during Apartheid

• they weren’t allowed basic amenities

• there was enforced segregation of races

what organisation did Mandela form with several other colleagues

African National Congress

what were the aims of the African National Congress

• wanted more action against oppression

• wanted to end Apartheid

• wanted to gain equal rights to their white counterparts

when did Apartheid end

1994

why did Apartheid end

• when Mandela became the first black president of South Africa

• demonstrating that black people had gained equal socioeconomic and political rights

1960

• Sharpeville Massacre

• 69 unarmed peaceful protestors were killed by police brutality

effect of Apartheid on Mandela

• Mandela was sent to prison because he violently protested the oppression and segregation of black South Africans

• Mandela endured 27 years of hard labour in prison on Robben Island

• in 1990, Mandela was released from prison

• Mandela became the first black Prime Minister of South Africa in 1994

Mandela as a Christian on violent protest

• Mandela resisted Apartheid violently, after peaceful attempts had proven unsuccessful

• Mandela continued to say armed protest was justified until he became president

Christian views on violent protest - AGAINST

• some Christians argue it is wrong to use violence due to the Sanctity of Life, as life is sacred as it was created by God

• some say it is wrong to get involved in politics as they all authorities are appointed by God

Christian views on violent protest - FOR

• some Christians believe is it their duty to stay informed about political decisions, to be able speak up if there is injustice

• some believe violent protest is necessary if it protects those weaker than oneself or fights persecution

Mandela’s views on violent protest - FOR

• “violence in this country is inevitable, it would be wrong and unrealistic for African leaders to continue preaching peace and non-violence”

• “when the government met our peaceful demands with force, it was only when all else had failed, […] that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle”

terrorism definition

• severe form of violent protest

• where an individual or groups who share certain beliefs use terror as part of their campaign to further their causes

• the violence usually deliberately targets civilians and takes place in public

why do terrorists believe in terrorism

• terrorists believe that by killing people in this way

• the rest of society will become more aware of their cause

• and will be scared of them

• pushing authorities to give into their demands

examples of terrorism

• 2017 - bombing at Ariana Grande’s Manchester concert

• September 11th 2001 - flight hijacking and crashing into the World Trading Centre

extremism definition

• act of taking a concept literally

• and forgetting all other morals/values

war definition

• organised conflict

• usually consisting of intense violence

• carried out by one state or states

• against other states

civil war

• when war occurs internally

• within a state

• between organised groups

war facts

• total global military expenditure = $1.5 million per minute

• WW1 killed 9 million people, wounding 21 million more

• 50% of WW2 victims were civilians

• 90% of victims in modern wars are civilians

economic causes of war

• wars can be declared when a state of states act to

• attack/invade to gain territory/resources

• resist invasion by an aggressor

• protect another state from an aggressor

• challenge a threat to ‘essential national interests’

ideological causes of war

• wars can be declared when states act to

• impose denomination or political change on another state

• counter perceived threats from a different ideology

• defend the national honour

which type of cause for war is more frequent

ideological

examples of religious causes of war

• fighting prejudice and discrimination

  • e.g. the Israeli-Palestinian genocide

• imposing religious ideologies on another religion/state

  • 1588 - Spanish Crusade

examples of political causes of war

• challenging the legitimacy of another states

  • e.g. Ukraine-Russia conflict

examples of economic causes of war

• fight over land, wealth or resources

  • civil war within DRC over lucrative natural resources such as cobalt

  • 1794 - Battle of Fallen Timbers, Native American fight against US government to maintain their ancestral land

examples of social causes of war

• imposing/fighting ethnic discrimination

  • 1994 - Rwandan genocide

examples of moral causes of war

• protecting the human rights of persecuted communities

  • Myanmar-Karenni State conflict - Karenni State fighting the war crimes Myanmar military committed by illegally moving people from their native lands

greed definition

selfish desire for something

explain how greed as a cause of war

• war can be waged to gain more land

• this may be to increase a colonial power or for strategic purposes

• greed can also lead countries to go to war over resources, such as oil

self defence definition

acting to prevent harm to yourself or others

explain self defence as a cause of war

• whenever one state attacks another, it expects to meet some resistance from the invaded country

• fighting in self defence is considered morally acceptable as it protects civilian lives

• many also believe it’s acceptable to defend other nations under threat, citing self defence as evidence

retaliation definition

• deliberately harming someone

• as a response

• to them harming you

explain retaliation as a cause of war

• wars are sometimes fought in retaliation against a country

• which is seen to have done something egregious in recent times

positive results of war

• can end persecution/discrimination against a community

• a state/group can gain resources

• can end long term conflict

negative results of war

• can damage the physiological health of civilians and soldiers, even after conflict is over

• can create economic instability

• creates refugees

• damages the environment

weapons of mass destruction

• a nuclear, biological or chemical weapon

• able to cause widespread devastation

• and loss of life

nuclear weapons definition

• a bomb or missile

• that uses nuclear energy

• to cause an explosion

chemical weapons

• the use of toxic chemicals

• that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation

• in weapons

biological weapons definition

• the use of biological toxins or infectious agents, viruses and fungi

• with the intent to kill or incapacitate

civilian casualties definition

• when armies kill or injure non-military targets

• Just War Theory states that such casualties must be minimised

mutually assured destruction definition

• a strategic philosophy

• in which one nuclear attack

• will be met with instant and automatic

• nuclear retaliation

nuclear weapons - UK

• UK is 1/9 countries globally that are known to have nuclear weapons

• UK owns approx. 200 nuclear warheads

  • Russia and USA each have over 1000 nuclear warheads

• UK spends £30 billion annually in maintaining Trident Programmes

nuclear weapons as nuclear deterrents

• nuclear weapons act as nuclear deterrents

• as they deter countries from attacking

• preventing wars from occurring

• due to the fear that countries that possess them will use them

case study - Hiroshima

• occurred in 1945

• 2/3 of Hiroshima was destroyed

• 60,000/90,000 buildings within three miles of the explosion were destroyed

• people were reduced to dust

use of chemical warfare

• chemical warfare used in WW1

  • used by Britain and Germany

• banned in 1925

  • were still used by USA in the Vietnam war, 1955

• chemical warfare is still being manufactured

• effects include choking, burns, paralysis and environmental destruction

use of biological warfare

• biological weapons carry bacteria and viruses that can lead to disease or death

• if they contaminate the food chain or water supplies

• it could lead to illness and death on a massive scale

• biological warfare has been banned under the Geneva Convention but are still being developed by many nations

weapons of mass destruction - 12 marker - FOR

• some Christians believe the possession of nuclear weapons is justified on the grounds of deterrence and protection

  • as protection of the vulnerable is a key Biblical teaching

• WMDs can stop a war, causing them to be beneficial from a Utilitarian perspective as they prevent further death and harm to civilians

  • e.g. 1945 event of Hiroshima ended WW2

weapons of mass destruction - 12 marker - AGAINST

• many Christians believe that WMDs have the potential for indiscriminate killing and injury to thousands of people which can never be justified

  • e..g 1945 - Hiroshima

  • goes against Sanctity of Life

• Christians hold a duty of stewardship towards God’s creations - both the environment, animals and humans

  • thus the use of WMDs cannot be justified as it causes long-term damage to humans and the environment, rendering areas uninhabitable

  • Christian groups such as the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CCND)

Islam views on WMDs

• Muslims have a duty and responsibility to care for God’s creations

• Muslims should work for peace

• Muslims believe all life is sacred - against WMDs as they can kill millions of people

• WMDs have the capacity to destroy the earth - which is a sin as it is destroying Allah’s creations

• Muslims believe civilians casualties should be limited at all costs - this isn’t possible with WMDs

• Allah requires ‘Zakat’ (‘charity’) from all Muslims - the maintenance of creation of WMDs wastes money that could be used to give to those in need

who was Just War Theory (Jus Ad Bellum) developed by

• Augustine of Hippo

• Thomas Aquinas

state the criteria of Jus ad Bellum

• NEED

  • just cause

  • right intention

  • need proper authority and public declaration

  • to be a last resort

  • probability of success

  • proportionality of good vs. evil

state the criteria of Jus in Bello

• war must be fought by just means - innocents must not be targeted or harmed

• only appropriate force may be used

• agreed conventions on the conduct of war should be obeyed

  • Geneva Convention

Views on war - FOR

• Pope Benedict XVI said defending oneself and other is a duty

• when wars are fought to protect people, it can be seen as following Jesus’ teachings of Situation Ethics

• righteous anger is sometimes justified - when Jesus was angry he used violence on money lenders

• possibility that war can produce a positive outcome that improves the qualities of life of populations after war - follows the Kantian deontological philosophy of the Categorical Imperative

Views on war - AGAINST

• Quakers, who are pacifists, believe that war and violence is always wrong

  • Quakers believe that since humans are God’s creation and are made in his image, violence must be renounced to gain peace

state the elements of Holy War

• achievement of a religious goal

• authorised by a religious leader

• has a spiritual reward for those who take part

state Francis Bacon’s criteria for Holy War

• to spread the faith

• to retrieve countries that were once Christian

• to rescue Christians in countries that were once Christians

• to recover and purify consecrated places

• to avenge blasphemous acts

Christian lawful authority for Holy War

• present day - the Church

• ancient times - God

the first Holy War

• date - October 312 CE

• when the Roman Emperor Constantine saw a vision

• of the cross in the sky with the inscription: “in hoc signo vinces” (“in this sign you will win”)

  • can be viewed as a sign from God

• even though Constantine’s forces were outnumbered, he won the battle against an army that was using pagan enchantment

  • this created a correlation for Christians between God’s authority to call for war and undoubtable success

  • links to Jus ad Bellum criteria - compatibility of Holy War with Just War

Islam views on Holy War

• lesser Jihad refers to Holy War

• lesser Jihad is important to Muslims as it allows them to defend Islam and their rights as Muslims

• any Muslims who is killed fighting in a Holy War has an unconditional place in Jannah

Christian views on Holy War - FOR

believed ‘spiritual reward’ for participating - usually a place in Heaven

absolute pacifism definition

• belief solely in the value of human life

• meaning they are conscientious objectors the harming of another can’t be justified

• even self defence

conditional pacifism definition

• belief in principles against war and violence

• but an understanding extenuating circumstances

• where war is the better option

  • categorical imperative

selective pacifism definition

• belief that the degree of violence is the most important thing to take account of

• only opposes war where WMDs are utilised due to the total destruction they cause

Christian example of absolute pacifism

• Anglican Pacifist Fellowship

• “we believe that as Christians we are called to follow the way of Jesus in loving our enemies and becoming peacemakers”

explain CAFOD’s work to help victims of war

• help to rehabilitate child soldiers

• attempt to bring together warring groups

• provide refugees fleeing conflict with emergency aid

state example of CAFOD’s work on helping victims of war

• Beirut emergency appeal

• raised £440k to help approx. 100,000 children

• who had their homes either partially or completely destroyed