Religion and Conflict Revision Guide

Transcription

1 Religion and Conflict Revision Guide Key Concepts Interfaith dialogue exploring common grounds between different faith groups. Just War A war undertaken to protect the innocent or those being violated and to restore justice and peace. Conflict - Clashes and breakdowns of relationships Reconciliation bringing harmony to a situation of disagreement and discord. Non-violent protest showing disapproval without damaging property or causing any threat. Pacifism the belief that any form of violence or war is unacceptable. Reconciliation bringing harmony to a situation or disagreement and discord. Specialist language Jihad means to strive. Greater jihad is the struggle within a person to resist the temptation and do good rather than evil. Lesser jihad is a military struggle to defend. Conscience The inner voice that keeps a person on the right track. The way a person knows right from wrong. Conscientious Objector someone who will not take part in war because of their beliefs. What makes for good relationships between people? Trust, Openness, Shared Interests/Values, Friendship, Honesty, Harmony, Give and take. What Causes Conflict? Selfishness Disagreements Crises (illness, etc) Physical harm Betrayal Harmony and Tolerance - The Golden Rule Do to others what you would have them to do to you. No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Is it ever right to fight? No Firm belief that violence is not acceptable. Most religions value peace and harmony and forgiveness. Yes Some believers think it is sometimes right, for example to protect the weak and stand up against or stop wrong or evil.

2 Yes Sometimes it is a necessary evil to go to war, to overcome evil, many Christians feel if when the conditions of the Just War Theory apply war may be justified. Difficult because it involves violence and killing. The Pope said that in fact it is a duty to defend yourself and others against an attacker. Just War Theory 1. PROPER AUTHORITY - war should be declared by a proper authority e.g. a government or king 2. JUST CAUSE the war must be started for a good reason e.g. self-defence, and not because of greed, etc RIGHT INTENTION the war must be fought to establish good, or fight evil 4. LAST RESORT it must be a last resort, when everything else has been tried, e.g. diplomacy 5. PROPORTIONALITY the amount of force used must be only enough to succeed. 6. WIN POSSIBLE it should be possible to win the war 7. JUST METHOD - no civilians should be involved and no deliberate unnecessary cruelty. Poor Annie Just Couldn't Resist Ian's Latest Romantic Proposal Without Playing Jelly Marbles!?! No Some Christians believe that the words and actions of Jesus show they should not take part in armed conflict e.g. Quakers (Society of Friends). They believe there is something of God in all of us so we should not harm each other. They would want peace negotiation. We all are God s creatures and have a right to life. Causes more harm than good, the innocent suffer Innocent people suffer not just physical harm but the loss of homes, crops, schools, etc. Greater Jihad is the personal battle that everyone has with themselves, whether to do what is right or succumb to temptation and do what we know is wrong. Lesser Jihad It may at times be necessary to fight against the evil in the world to bring about a just society. Muslims must also fight to preserve if the religion comes under attack. Like in there are clear conditions for military war which are very similar to the Just War Theory. If the conditions for war are fulfilled then it is a Muslims duty to go to war. Any Muslim killed whilst fighting the jihad will go directly to paradise.

3 Forgiveness The teachings of Jesus e.g. The Beatitudes; his words from the cross The actions of Jesus e.g. Zacchaeus Examples of Christians forgiving e.g. Martin Luther King The Lord s Prayer Zacchaeus meets Jesus {You can read this story in Luke chapter 19 verses 1 to 10} Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a very rich man. Zacchaeus went to see Jesus, but couldn t see him for the crowd, so he climbed into a tree. When Jesus came to the tree he stopped. He looked up and said, Come down Zacchaeus. I want to come to your house. He took Jesus to his house. Lots of people were cross because they thought he was a bad man. But Zacchaeus said to Jesus, I am going to give half of everything I have to poor people. I have taken too much money from some people. I will give them back four times as much. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, Today you will be saved. You have been kind to me. You have trusted me. You will be happy for ever. The example of Muhammad Rules of War Teachings from the Qur an e.g. those who forgive others will be rewarded by Allah The belief that Allah will always forgive someone who is truly penitent. Muhammad The people of Makkah had beaten and abused and tried to kill Muhammad before he escaped to Medinah. Yet when he entered Makkah victorious with an army of 10000, he did not take revenge on anyone. He forgave all. Even his deadliest enemy. Ways of Avoiding War/Conflict Organisations Look at the work of the following - The Ecumenical accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) or Corrymeela Think about the work of individuals. Martin Luther King - a Baptist minister influenced by the teachings of love from Jesus. Used non-violent protest to support civil rights for black Americans Staged sit ins and protest marches Went to jail for his actions Was awarded the Nobel Peace prize Case Study of a Peace Activist Name Archbishop Tutu Religion Christian Roman Catholic Aim Peace in South Africa for black people to be treated fairly

4 Motivation (beliefs) All created equal, non-violence Jesus taught love Example of work Non-violent protest used his position to speak publicly about injustice. Appealed to European countries to boycott South African goods so when South Africa began to lose money and the government were forced to listen. Successful (give examples) Mandela became the first black president. Truth and Reconciliation Committee people were to come forward and admit to crimes they had done or had done to them so that the past could be accepted rather than look for revenge. Suffering How do people suffer? Moral evil suffering caused by humans Natural evil disasters and suffering that happen in the natural world. Reasons for and responses to Suffering Test how we react determines where we go in the afterlife. To strengthen a persons character We as humans have been given freewill to choose between good and bad. Therefore, if a person hurts another it is their fault not Gods. We cannot hope to understand suffering we do not have the intelligence that God has. EG Job goes through suffering for no apparent reason and has to accept that God is in control even if we don t understand the reasons. Punishment Adam and Eve chose evil and were sent out of the Garden of Eden. For some suffering is sent from God to make people repent and turn back to God. Jesus suffered even though he was perfect. Jesus suffering had a purpose gave people everlasting life. Responding through prayer to ask to ease peoples suffering or turn to the Bible for guidance of what God wants them to do. Or people may actively help, giving money, or helping individuals or charities. Reasons for and responses to Suffering Part of Allah s plan it is not for us to question or try to understand. No one is given more suffering than they can cope with. Test On the Day of Judgement Allah will judge people on how they reacted to their own or others suffering. Everyone has freewill if the people choose to turn from Allah and follow Shitan (Satan) this will lead to suffering in their or afterlife. Those who accept suffering as part of Allah plan will find their faith in Allah strengthened. Muslims should help those who suffer and will be judged on this. The third Pillar of is Zakah to give 2.5% of their savings to charity to help those in need. Voluntary donations can be made on top of this. Some may take an active part in charity work.

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