Peacemaking

Justice, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation

1. Justice is the idea of each person getting what they deserve and maintaining what’s right. Believers think that God is just - he treats and judges people fairly as he created everyone equally. Justice leads to a fairer society - if people feel they’re treated equally, there’s more chance of peace

2. Forgiveness is when a person stops feeling hurt by something another person has done to them. Another of God’s characteristics is that he is merciful - he forgives people for the things they’ve done wrong. As God is merciful towards them, believers feel that they should forgive other people, and that forgiveness is the only way true peace can be achieved

3. Reconciliation is bringing people together that previously were in conflict to make peace

Christians Believe That God is Fair and Forgiving

1. Christians believe that justice is very important, since people are equal in the eyes of God. Christians have a duty to look after other people, and try to guide them to do what’s right and repent of their sins

2. They believe they should follow God’s example and be just to others: “…what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The parable of the sheep and goats shows God treats people well if they’ve done the same to others.

3. Forgiveness is important to Christians. They believe they should seek God’s forgiveness people who’ve hurt them.

   • “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

4. If they repent, and put their faith in God, God forgives people and they are reconciled with him. Christians believe the same sort of reconciliation is needed between people to create peace.

Jews Must Work for Justice and Ask for Forgiveness

1. Justice is a major part of Judaism - Jews believe in fairness. Pirkei Avot 1:18 (part of the Talmud) says that “By three things is the world sustained: law, truth and peace.”

2. Many Jews believe that true peace can only happen when everyone is treated fairly and any people in conflict are reconciled.

   • “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” Isaiah 1:17

3. Seeking forgiveness from God and people you’ve wronged is very important in Judaism. In conflict situations, asking for forgiveness and forgiving others is an important step to reconciliation.

Religious Believers Can Work for Peace Directly and Indirectly

1. Many religious believers feel they must act to create peace. Some might be directly involved in peacemaking by working for organisations which offer relief to war-torn areas

2. Some religious charities campaign for help for groups in conflict to rebuild their relationship. For example, Christian Aid has urged governments to find a compromise in the Israel/ Palestine conflict.

3. Religious people can also help to create peace indirectly, e.g. by donating money to charitable causes and by holding protests and demonstrations against conflict. Some may work to ensure that people have equal human rights, which could help to avoid conflict

Christian Charities Work for Peace and Help Victims of War

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Many feel that it;s important to help people caught up in conflict zones and to try to bring peace to the area.

• Tearfund helps people who are refugees from war-torn areas. They help people in the short term by giving them some food and somewhere to stay. However, they also help people to get back in their feet permanently by teaching them valuable skills they can use to support themselves

• Pax Christi is a Catholic organisation that works for peaceful conflict resolution

Many Jews Work for Peace in Israel

1. Jews believe that peace is something that God gives the world. Many Jews protest for peace and try to create a fairer world, since they believe that peace is only really possible when everyone is treated justly.

2. Charity through financial aid is called tzedakah. Everyone is expected to contribute 10% of their wealth - this money can help people affected by war and help to create equality to avoid war.

   • The Jewish Peace Fellowship is a pacifist organisation, founded to help conscientious objectors in WWII. The organisation believes that military action never solves conflicts, and that active non-violence (e.g. negotiations, promoting social justice) is the only way to settle disputes. They’re helping to resolve the conflict in Israel and reconcile the people there.

   • Natal (Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War) helps people in Israel who’ve been affected by the conflict there. It aims to care for and treat people suffering from health problems related to war, e.g. post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Mark Scheme Evaluation - Forgiveness

Between human beings, forgiveness is a duty, it is wrong to hold grudges because you are only harming yourself by doing so. That does not mean that you are accepting that what the person did was right or that they should not be punished. It does mean that you should try to understand why they did it, because in some cases it may not have been their fault. If the person repents their sin or crime they may be forgiven.

Christianity

Forgive one another - Colossians 3:13/Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven/forgive others so God will forgive you — Lord's Prayer/Matthew 6:14-16/Matthew 18:21-35 - Parable of the Unmerciful Servant/Matthew 5:7/Some Christians believe that you should only forgive those who repent.

Judaism

Prior to Yom Kippur, Jews ask forgiveness of those they have wronged during the year so that God will forgive them/sins between people require the asking and granting of forgiveness by the parties concerned/the person who has sinned against God needs to repent and ask God for forgiveness/Leviticus 16:30