YEAR 11 REVISION KEYCARD Religion, War and Peace

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1 Essential revision: What are the causes of war? Greed e.g. Saddam Hussein invading Kuwait for oil (Gulf War) Settle a dispute e.g. Falklands War (Argentina and Britain) Gain important resources e.g. Iraq getting oil from Kuwait Destroy weapons of mass destruction e.g. Britain and USA invading Iraq Get rid of a dictator e.g. Saddam Hussein Differences in religious beliefs e.g. Catholics and Protestants, Northern Ireland Defend own country when under attack e.g.usa, attacking Japan after Pearl Harbour, Hawaii was bombed Examples of recent wars Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, Gulf War, Falklands What is meant by a holy war? In Islam, the word Jihad means struggle or holy war. What is it about? Fighting for a religious cause or God Probably controlled by a religious leader Spiritual reward for those who take part / belief that fighters who die will receive a reward for dying Recapture sacred places that are in enemy hands e.g. Crusades To take revenge for acts against their faith When does a war become just? (for religious believers) There must be just cause. Those attacked must have committed some fault e.g. the Crusades against the Muslims, to get back land owned by Christians The war must be started and controlled by a competent and legal authority. There must be right intention. The intent must be to promote the cause of good and avoid evil. Christians believe it is right to defend country from an attack by aggressor e.g. Second World War War must be the last resort. All other ways of solving the problem must have been tried. There must be a reasonable probability of success. The cause of the war must be reasonable, so as to cause minimal death and suffering. You must only use enough force to achieve your objectives. As far as possible, only military people, and not civilians, must be involved. Jesus used violence, overturning the money-changers' tables in the temple (book of Matthew) "Whoever has no sword must sell his coat and buy one" there is a right time to fight. (Luke)

2 Why are some religious believers prepared to fight in a war? Idea of Holy War To achieve religious aims or goals Authorized by God or a religious leader Spiritual reward, e.g. heaven or paradise Defend religion Spread faith or win back country that used to follow a particular religion Idea of Just War / just cause / declared by proper authority, e.g. government / good intention / last resort / reasonable chance of success / fought by just means / the good achieved will outweigh the evil that led to war/ civilians protected. Why are some religious believers against war (Pacifists)? 1. Do not kill is one of the 10 Commandments (although in the Old Testament, this did not include killing in war!) 2. The suffering that results e.g. destruction, loss of life, maiming, psychological distress (Gulf War syndrome) refugees etc. 3. They believe that all life is sacred (the Sanctity of life) 4. Economic consequences (cost of rebuilding) 5. Many believe there are better ways to solve problems e.g. peace talks 6. Jesus spoke a great deal about peace e.g. Blessed are the peacemakers and Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew) 7. When Jesus was arrested one of his followers took out his sword and attacked one of the men who had come to arrest Jesus, cutting off his right ear. Jesus said, Enough of this. He touched the man s ear and healed him. (Luke) Attitude of religious believers towards a country which has weapons of mass destruction (WMD) Far from being a deterrent it might lead to war, e.g. Saddam Hussein was believed to have such weapons They are not morally justifiable Religions teach peace not war Biological and chemical weapons outlawed by Geneva convention (no country should have them) Damage to people and infrastructure Expense of making and buying them Effect on future generations Just war arguments Unstable regimes etc. Act as a deterrent / stop other countries attacking Have the capacity to retaliate if attacked by others who have similar weapons Need protection from others

3 It is wrong for a country to have nuclear weapons Nuclear weapons very destructive Could destroy the world Innocent people killed Long term effects e.g. from radiation (e.g. of Hiroshima) Environmental impact Cost e.g. Trident Breaks sanctity of life and Just War conditions and stewardship Ahimsa (Buddhist belief of non-violence) Other views May act as a deterrent Last resort Quicker resolution to conflict e.g. Second World War Some countries have them, so why not mine? Can a religious person be a terrorist? NO Religions promote peace Love your neighbour Morally wrong to kill random people Wrong to scare people OTHER VIEWS Seen by some as freedom fighters Maybe be viewed as protecting their religion Idea of jihad Maybe fighting against an injustice Will there always be wars? Since recorded history only one or two years where there haven t been wars in the world Many wars currently being fought Always conflict / disagreements People who want power or what others have Human problem of greed, selfishness and craving Patriotism may encourage support for war Other Views Religions teach peace, so if people followed their teachings wars would end If justice was promoted wars would end If people helped the poor in the world and shared more than there would be no need for fighting

4 Wars do not solve problems, they only create them Causes death / loss of loved ones Creates refugees (people forced to leave their homes) Causes poverty / homelessness / bitterness / destruction / resentment Causes retaliation from other countries/people Creates terrorism / development of more powerful weapons Costs billions e.g. war fought against Iraq, etc. Other Views Might be justified (Just War conditions) Might get rid of an evil dictator e.g. Saddam Hussein Stop genocide (deliberate killing of people) Once finished can bring peace and eventual prosperity Need to defend country / family / faith Organisations which help victims of war Earl Haig Fund provide funds and employment such as making poppies The Red Cross or Red Crescent equip field hospitals to provide medical care and assistance e.g. wheel chairs for the crippled or other special equipment to make the victims lives easier. They offer counselling and pastoral support Help for Heroes support injured service personnel and their families UN (United Nations) sends peace keeping troops The work of religious believers who have campaigned for peace The Dalai Lama worked for peace in Tibet He tried to bring about peaceful solution after the Chinese invasion After Chinese army crushed uprising he lived in exile in India He refused any forms of violence to win back his country He encouraged refugees to save Tibetan culture and way of life He proposed five point peace plan He was awarded Nobel Prize Other people = Jesus, Buddha, Irena Sendler (member of Polish resistance in 2 nd WW)

5 Describe the work of one peacekeeping force. United Nations Set up at the end of World War 2 to persuade countries to settle their differences without fighting Helps countries cooperate with each other through international law and security Has a security council Sometimes intervenes directly in a conflict Has peacekeeping forces with troops supplied by member nations Can be placed between opposing armies Try to protect civilians Often keep peace when the conflict is over Has the International Court of Justice in the Hague where war crimes may be tried. NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was created in 1949 and it is a military alliance Would come to the aid of any member who is attacked When it began it was in response to the threat from the USSR Has peace keeping forces like the UN.