last minute religion, peace + conflict revision

what are the Islamic views on weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)?

• believe God created earth + life that Muslim responsibility to take care of it + work for peace

• believe life is sacred → weapons that have potential to kill millions + destroy earth goes against teachings of Islam

• innocents must be protected but not possible when nuclear weapons in use

• “Do not contribute to your own destruction with your own hands, but do good for God loves those who do good“

what are the Christian views on weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)?

• fundamental Christian belief = only God has authority to take life he created → “You shall not murder“

• believe use of weapons to kills lots of innocents = never justified

• Christian campaign for nuclear disarmament (CCND) = group of Christians attached to larger CND → raise awareness for campaigns, promote need to pray for peace + nuclear disarmament

• some agree justifiable for deterrence (NOT USING)

what are the arguments for nuclear deterrence?

• prevents major wars = countries less likely to attack each other

• maintains peace + stability = seen as “necessary evil“

• protects civilians = seen as deterrence not aggression

what is nuclear deterrence?

idea of possessing nuclear weapons prevents war, bc other countries too afraid to attack due to threat of retaliation

what does Christianity believe about peace making?

• believe peace = gift from God

• following Jesus = rejecting hatred + violence

• forgiveness + reconciliation are central → peace only come when people forgive + work together

what does Islam believe about peace making?

• believe peace achieved by living according to Allah’s will

• also forgive + show mercy to others

• strongly opposes terrorism

what is the Just War criteria?

Cause = must have just cause

Authority = declared by legitimate authority

Last resort = fought as last resort

Intention = fought with aim to restore peace

Proportional = force proportional to cause

Outweigh = avoid killing civilians

Success = reasonable chance of success on both sides

what are the reasons for war?

• greed = to gain more land, wealth, resources

• self defence = fighting to protect you/country

• retaliation = fight opposing side that done wrong against you as response

what is a Christian teaching on responding to victims of war?

• Good Samaritan Story

• man robbed + left injured

• priest + Levite pass + no help

• Samaritan stops + cares + pays for recovery

• shows true love for neighbour

what is the moral of the story for the Good Samaritan story?

help + care for everyone no matter who they are even if enemy

how does the Christian Aid respond to victims of war?

• aims to bring aid to end poverty

• slogan: “we believe in life before death“

• supports local organisations bc they believe locals best people to deal with problems

• recent campaigns include raising awareness of refugees from Gaza, Syria

how does the Muslim Aid respond to victims of war?

• funded by donations from supporters + zakat

• 2014 autumn set up Beity orphanage in Turkey for 75 kids whose parents killed in conflict neighbouring Syria

• they keep them safe, clothe + feed them, provide education + healthcare

what is a Islam teaching on responding to victims of war?

• “It will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life will be as if they saved all of humanity”

• zakat

what does the Qur’an quote 5:32 mean?

even small effort to help is significant

what does zakat mean and how is it a Muslim response to victims of war?

• “to purify” in Arabic

• spiritual purpose = purifies Muslims wealth + soul from greed + selfishness

what are general consequences of war?

• disease/death

• destruction of infrastructure

• damages mental + physical health

what are general responses to consequences of war?

• donations → help for food + shelter

• pray for victims