War and Just War Theory

Causes of war 

• Land 

• Political 

• Power/ authority 

• Religion (holy war) 

• Lack of freedom (oppression) 

• Revenge 

• Resources 

• Poverty 

• Alliances (protecting others) 

Effects of war 

• Death 

• Poverty 

• Destruction of cities/ infrastructure transport 

• Environmental/ agriculture destruction 

• Low morale 

• Growth in weapons industry 

• Injury 

• Diseases 

• Loss of supplies 

• Division/ further conflict 

What can Christians do to help victims of war? 

• Donate/ send supplies 

• Pray for them 

• Raise awareness  

• Campaign/ petitions 

• Volunteering (medical...) 

• Donate to charity (CAFOD/ Christian aid) 

• Welcome refugees 

Victims of war – why help? 

Jesus’ example – helping those in need beatitudes - > persecuted 

Parable of sheep and goats 

Good Samaritans help your Neighbour 

Created in God’s image 

Just war theory 

St Augustine, 4^th St Thomas Aquinas 

13^th In the beginning Christianity tended to be a pacifist (against war or violence) religion  

Year 312 – Constantine (Roman Empire) becomes Christian. Rome had large armies and military bases 

For Christians, can it ever be right to go to war? 

When is it right to go to war?  (Jus and Bellum – the Latin name for these 2 questions) 

• A just cause, good reason to go to war 

• As a last resort, every other option has failed (e.g. negotiations, sanctions, etc.) 

• A proportionate response, not overreacting 

• Right intentions, to fight for the right reasons 

• There must be reasonable chance of success 

• The good achieved must outweigh the damage done 

What is it right to do in war? (Jus in Dello)  

• Discrimination, not attacking or harming civilians, distinguishing between combatants and civilians 

• Proportionality, not using unreasonable force 

How might Christians work for peace? 

• Pray 

• Volunteering to help refugees/ victims of war 

• Donating to charity – Red cross, CAFOD, Medicins sans Frontiere, Pax Christi 

• Peaceful protest 

• Spreading Christian teaching on peace 

• Welcoming refugees 

• Forgiving 

• Loving neighbour – helping in the community social issues 

• Teaching children to be peaceful 

• Be peaceful/ peacemakers as individuals  

• Serve in the armed forces 

• education