Pacifism

—> It is the belief that violence is always wrong and can never be justified 

OR  

—> It is the commitment to peace and peaceful means of living  

Absolute pacifism states that violence is always wrong in every situation 

Conditional/ selective pacifism states that violence is wrong, but it can be justified or necessary in extreme circumstances 

CASE STUDY  

e.g. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Luthern church minister and theologian. 

He was a committed pacifist, however he was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler where the plot failed and therefore he was executed in 1945. 

e.g. The Quakers (society of friends) 

They are a Christian denomination (church) committed to pacifism and working for peace. Expressed in Quaker peace testimony. “Pledge to meet violence with weapons of love” 

Conscientious objectors are people who refuse to fight or support war 

Reasons for Christians to be pacifist 

1) Follow Jesus’ teaching  

2) Following commandment – ‘Do not kill’  

3) Life is sacred and should be respected  

4) God is within everyone so life should always be respected  

5) Only pacifism can bring about reconciliation  

6) The money should be spent elsewhere  

7) Non-violence should be used instead 

Reasons for Christians not to be pacifist 

1) Christians have a duty to protect and preserve life; they should be prepared to go to war  

2) Christians should be prepared to sacrifice their lives for others, just as Jesus did, to bring about justice  

3) We should not ignore injustice and suffering  

4) Christians should be willing to defend their country and its security  

5) If the government take the country to war, it is someone’s duty to help with this  

6) Sometimes war is necessary in order to achieve love and justice  

7) War might be the lesser of two evils  

8) Jesus used violence to make a point and stand up for what is right