Quiz 4

War; Capital Punishment

Views of War

Views of War

Activism/Militarism

Pacifism

Just War Theory

Activism/Militarism

Any war my country fights is justified

Pacifism

All war is wrong

Every war is unjust

Pacifist Groups

Anabaptists

Mennonites (Amish)

Quakers

Moravians

(Matthew 5)

Just War Theory

Use objective criteria to decide if specific wars are moral

Is it a righteous war?

Ethical justice

Proponents of Just War Theory

Augustine (Luther, Calvin)

Just War Doctrines

Jus ad Bellum (leading up to the war)

Jus in Bello (in the midst of the war)

Jus ad Bellum

A just cause

Right authority

Right intention

Last resort

A just cause is not

For aggression

For capturing land or resources

For prestige

A just cause is

A defensive war

(Some say to also defend an ally)

A debated just cause

Pre-emptive strikes

Pre-emptive strikes

Plan must be known

Non-military options must be reasonably tried first

Use limited force

Use just means

Right authority

Fought by the proper established legitimate power

Right intention

To bring about (a just) peace

Not to annihilate the enemy or for revenge

Last resort

Diplomatic and economic sanctions have been tried and failed

Jus in Bello

Proportionate means

Noncombatant immunity

Military necessity

Proportionate means

The cost should be outweighed by the benefits of the goal

Noncombatant immunity

Civilians should not be purposely attacked

Traditionally said to be only women and children

Military necessity

Securing a concrete, specific military advantage

International Agreements

Geneva Conventions

Crimes against Humanity

Genocide

Geneva Conventions (examples)

Do not kill after surrender

Take care of basic necessities of prisoners of war

Crimes against Humanity

Deliberate (wanton) killing of humans

Genocide

Deliberately killing and destroying a nation or group

Capital Punishment

The execution of a criminal by public authority

(It is not gangs murdering other gangs; family vendettas)

Historical Overview

Hammurabi Law Code: Old Babylonia: 1700 BC

Leviticus: Moses: 1440 BC

US Law Cases

United States Law Cases

1972: Furman vs. Georgia - Capital punishment as it was practiced was said to be a cruel and unusual form of punishment

1976: Gregg vs. Georgia

Practical Arguments For Capital Punishment

Deterrence

Prevention

Biblical/Theological Arguments For Capital Punishment

Genesis 9

Romans 13

Practical Arguments Against Capital Punishment

The possibility of killing innocent people

The claim of racism

Cruel and unusual punishment