(Christianity) just war theory + holy war

when standing up for their faith, Christians will prefer diplomacy over military strength!

what is just war theory?

if you don’t fight, you allow a greater evil to happen than a war would have caused, so you have to fight

what are the conditions for a just war?

• the war must be controlled by the authority of the state or ruler

• there must be a just cause

  • in self-defence or defending someone, NOT to gain territory or resources, or in retaliation

• Thomas Aquinas’ synderesis rule: the intention must be to promote good and avoid evil

  • peace and justice must ultimately be restored

  • the good achieved must outweigh the evil

• must be a reasonable chance of success

  • it is unjust to ask people to fight a war if it is likely the war will be lost

• the war must be fought with just means and innocent civilians must not be targeted

• internationally agreed conventions on the conduct of war must be obeyed

  • the Geneva Conventions

why might the conditions for just war contradict the use of weapons of mass destruction?

• internationally agreed conventions on the conduct of war must be obeyed

  • the Geneva Conventions state that no WMDs are authorised in conflict

• the good achieved must outweigh the evil

• the war must be fought with just means

• innocent civilians must not be targeted

what is holy war?

wars fought in the name of God, in which they believe God is on their side and will influence the outcome of the war

what examples are there of Christian holy wars?

• Crusades to control the Holy Land

  • Christians believed they were fighting for a sacred, noble cause and that the Muslim Turks were the pagan enemies of God

• Joshua’s army blowing trumpets to bring down the walls of Jericho as they thought God would influence the outcome