Holy War

• A Holy War is a war which is fought for religious reasons, often with the backing of religious leaders. An example of this was the Crusades fought from the 11th-14th Century by Christians, backed by the Pope.
• Religion can still be a cause for war today such as in Northern Ireland where Protestant and Catholic Christians fought a civil war from 1968-98.
• Greater Jihad: Struggle to be good Muslims
• Lesser Jihad: Defending faith from attack
• Jihad: Struggle
• To many people, the concept of a holy war seems to be a contradiction. They think that no activity that involves fighting people in large numbers can possibly have any religious inspiration or justification. However, in the old testament, there are many references to God helping the Jews to establish themselves in the Promised Land by winning battles. In the Crusades, both sides believed that God was helping them to win.
• For Christians, a holy war must be authorised by a religious leader with great authority. The purpose of it should be to defend the Christian faith from attack. Those who take part believe they will gain a spiritiual reward, and if they die in battle, will go straight to heaven.
• For violence: (Bible)

  1. "Eye for eye" - Acceptable to return violence with violence.
  2. "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag, and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" - It's okay to use violence to defend yourself.
• Against: (Bible)

  1. "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement" - If you murder you will be judged.
  2. "ALl those who draw the sword will die by the sword" - If you use violence, it will come back to you.