Religious Studies GCSE AQA - Theme D

War

Fighting between nations to resolve issues between them

Peace

An absence of conflict which leads to happiness and harmony

Justice

Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed

Forgiveness

Showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

Reconciliation

Individuals or groups restore friendly relations after conflict or disagreement.

Violence

Using actions that threaten or harm others

Terrorism

the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Self - defence

Acting to prevent harm to yourself or others

Retaliation

Deliberately harming someone as a response to them harming you

Nuclear Weapons

Weapons that work by a nuclear reaction; they devastate huge areas and kill large numbers of people

Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Weapons that can kill large amounts of people and/or cause great damage

Chemical Weapons

Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn or paralyse humans and destroy the natural environment

Biological Weapons

Weapons that have living organisms or infective material that can lead to disease or death

Just War

A war which meets internationally accepted criteria for fairness; follows traditional Christian rules for a just war, and is now accepted by all other religions

Holy War

Fighting for a religious cause or God, probably controlled by a religious leader

Pacifism

The belief of people who refuse to take part in war or any form of violence

Christianity - Justice

"all are made in the image of God" ( Genesis 1: 27)

Christianity - Justice

"love your neighbour as you love yourself" (Luke 10)

Christianity - Justice

"to act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8)

Judaism - Justice

Tzedakah - doing righteous acts

Judaism - Justice

Deuteronomy 10:20 - instructions about just conduct of war

Christianity - Forgiveness

"blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7)

Christianity - Forgiveness

"forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (The Lord's Prayer)

Christianity - Forgiveness

God's grace and mercy in forgiving humans through the sacrifice of Jesus is the key message of Christianity

Judaism - Forgiveness

Focus of the festival of Yom Kippur

Judaism - Forgiveness

God's characteristics include mercy

Christianity - Reconciliation

Jesus' death on the cross allowed humans to be reconciled with to God

Christianity - Reconciliation

Quakers are a denomination of Christianity, who are pacifists that try to bring two different sides together

Judaism - Reconciliation

Charities such as the Parents Circle or Families Forum try to bring the Israelis and Palestinians together

Conscientious objectors

A person who refuses to participate in war on grounds of conscience or belief.

Pacifism in Christianity

The church accepts the Just War Theory, and sees war as necessary in some circumstances especially to fight injustice.

Pacifism in Judaism

Judaism is not a pacifist religion, they believe in peace but do not support war unless it is essential .e.g. in self-defence...They do believe in Obligatory War ( a war in Israel- the promised Land)

Ten Commandments

Do not kill

Ten Commandments

Do not steal

Reasons for War

Greed; Self - defence; Retaliation

Just War Theory

*Just Cause
*Right Authority
*Right Intention
*Reasonable chance of success
*Proportionality
*Last Resort

Christianity - War

"put away your sword. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword" (Jesus)

Christianity - War

"love your enemies and pray for them" (Matthew 26:52)

Christianity - Peace

"blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9)

Christianity - Peace

Pacifist organisations such as the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship - who help people on both sides of the war as neutrals

Christianity - Just War

"if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment to the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4)

Arguments for owning a Nuclear Weapon

* They act as a deterrent
*The Utilitarian argument (less loss of life)
*A good weapon to have if attacked

Arguments against owning a Nuclear Weapon

*They are costly and would be of better use elsewhere
*Sanctity of life
*Believers of the Just War Theory
*Earth as God's creation

Tearfund

A Christian charity that provides short - rem emergency aid by giving food and shelter

Christian Aid

A charity working in the developing world, providing emergency and long-term aid