Essay Prep: Humans and Conflict

Vocabulary and key concepts from the religious studies essay preparation on whether humans will always cause conflict.

Original sin

A doctrine that everyone is born evil, stemming from Adam and Eve eating fruit from a forbidden tree, suggesting humans naturally defy God.

Romans 3:23

The biblical scripture stating "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," demonstrating that humans naturally defy God.

Imago Dei

The theological concept that humans reflect God's likeness, showing that humans can do good things and that conflict is not inevitable.

The "Golden Rule"

The moral principle to "love your neighbour as yourself," exemplified in Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan.

Sermon on the Mount

A sermon by Jesus containing the teaching "blessed are the peacemakers."

1 Timothy 6:10

The biblical text stating "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," demonstrating how greed inspires conflict through economic pressures.

Biological / evolutionary argument for conflict

The perspective that greed and selfishness were incentives for survival, making competition and conflict natural and unavoidable throughout history.

Moral agency / spiritual capacity

The human capacity that overrides evolutionary pre-programming and selfish drives, allowing humans to balance disagreement with coordination to maintain survival.