questions and religious perspectives

• Name the three reasons for war?

  Greed, self defence, retaliation
• Explain how Greed is a reason for war?

  - wars may be fought out of greed in order to gain more land and control of resources (such as oil).
• Explain the differences between what Buddhism and Christianity teaches about greed as a reason for war?

  Christianity teaches that greed as a reason for war is wrong because it's important to be content with what you have and not seek for more, especially if the method to gain power or resources can be destructive, causing many civilians+ soldiers to possibly die and so therefore is evil.1 Timothy 6:10 " For the love of money is root of all kinds of evil" (wanting money, land and power are awful and evil purposes because it puts peoples life's at risk ) Buddhism teaches that greed is one of the three poisons, and also one of the main causes of suffering .It teaches there are always unhealthy consequences or actions based on greed .
• Refer to a bible teaching for Greed ?

  1 Timothy 6:10 " For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil
• Explain how self- defence is a reason for war?

  Self defence can be pre- emptiness ( a country attacks another country before the other country does )- if the country is under attack, or to help defend other nations who are under threatFor example : Ww2: The British defend themselves against Nazi invasion
• Explain the attitudes of Christians towards Self defence as a reason for war?

  - Many Christians believe fighting in self defence is morally acceptable, providing all peaceful ways of solving the conflict have been tried first .Even though in the New Testament there is not one particular quote to support self defenceBut there is for DEFENDING OTHERS. Isaiah 1:17 - talks about how seeking justice and defending those who can't defend themselves because God calls Christians too.- Buddhism - five moral precepts : " Abstain from killing living-beings " this Challenges all causes of war . People should instead develop compassion ( Karuna) towards those who wish to harm them . Some Buddhists disagree and are willing to fight in self defence
• Explain the reason for Retaliation as a reason for war?

  - Some wars are started as an act of revenge- Some wars sometimes fought in retaliation against a country that has done something very wrong
• Explain Buddhist Views on War-in general ?

  - weapons of mas a destruction and war causes large scale of SUFFERINg.- their use goes against the first moral precept , which is to abstain from taking life - hatred (retaliation ), three poisons , can cause suffering
• Example of retaliation war ?

  WW1: Austria- Hungary started WW1 in retaliation to assassination of archduke
• Explain Christian attitudes and Buddhist attitudes towards Retaliation as a reason for war?

  Christians try to follow the advice of Jesus ,who taught that retaliation is wrong Matthew 5:39-" if someone hits you do not retaliate and turn the other cheek to avoid reciprocating negativity because it will simply continue the cycle of violence and not promote long lasting peace . However the quote could be interpreted as you should retaliate and fight back because of proportional justice.
• Buddhist attitudes towards retaliation ?

  For Buddhists , retaliation would be a form f hatred (one of three poisons) It therefore increases suffering and so should be avoided.
• Refer to a bible teaching about reason for war as Retaliation?

  Matthew 5:39 " An eye for a eye tooth for a tooth" " if anyone slaps you on the right cheek , turn to them the other cheek also"
• Refer to a bible teaching for reason for was as Self defence ?

  Isaiah 1:17- " Learn to do right, seek justice . Defend the oppressed"
• "Retaliation is a Justifiable reason for war "


  AGAINSTS - Retaliation is wrong because it simply continues the cycle of violence and is not the way to lasting peace - Retaliation is different from self defence. It may sometimes be justifiable to defend the country to protect others from harm, but retaliation is a kind of spiteful action, taken to punish the enemy for something they have done - could experience many civilian casualties- damaging to economy and population growth Leave a country poor if buildings and industries are destroyed FORS- if a country has attacked a note country for no reason, they should have the right to get back at the, for harming them. They started the conflict so should be prepared to expect a response- the bible teaches that "An eye for an eye , agh for a tooth" , so you should be ab,e to retaliate when an enemy causes you harm. It's a matter of justice which is an important principle"
• Define Just War Theorey?Who came up with this theory ?

  Just war is the idea that war is a terrible thing, however might not be the worst option in a situationIt was a theory about when it's okay and justified to go to war and how. The Just war theory was developed by Augustine and Thomas Aquinas ( both Christians )Thomas Aquinais recognised that although killing is wrong, it seemed to be the only way to fix a problem would be to go through war
• When does the Just War theory argue that war can be sometimes morally correct ?

  In regards to circumstance of self defence and to oppose a greater evil
• What are the two aspects of war does the just war theory cover?

  Jus and bellum- when it's acceptable to go to war Jus in bello- How wars should be fought
• Name and explain the 6 CONDITIONS for a just war ?

  1. May be fought for a JUST CAUSE- Fought in self defence or to defend other nations, not for greedy or selfish reasons like stealing land or in retaliation 2. Must be declared by a legitimate authorityThe government or lawful ruler of country3. must have JUST INTENTIONFought to promote good or defeat wrongdoing. The good gained by winning should outweigh the evil which led to the war4. Must be LAST RESORTAll other ways of solving the problem must have been tried first 5. High possibly of SUCESSIt is unjust to ask people to fight in a war if it's probable the war will be lost and they will be killed
• Name and explain the right conduct of war and its common criteria's ? (Three rules of fighting a just war )

  -must be fought by just meansThis means that innocent civilians should not be targeted or harmed - Only appropriate force should be used This includes the type of force and how much is used - Internationally agreed conventions must be obeyedThis means that the rules must be obeyed in war
• What is necessary evil?

  something we needed even though we didn't like it ( spectrum of violence and evil )
• Why May some Christians agree with the just war theory ?

  Some Christians would agree because of the belief in necessary evil (spectrum of viol eve and evil :) and just intention. This means that in order to prohibit greater evil, a restrictive force should prevent it through fighting it. For example in WW2, many Christians fought in order to destruct and overthrow the powerful dictator Hitler, which lead to liberating Jews and other minorities persecuted and overall recover EU.Also just war promoted having just cause This means fighting to self defend or defending other countries. This would be linked to Jesus teaching to defend the defenceless and seek justice to the weak.
• Why May some Christians disagree with a just war Theory ?

  Some Christians would disagree and believe there are much better ways to find peaceful ways to resolve conflicts . They would say that just war theory defends the concept of war and goes against Jesus teaching - he taught that we should seek peace in every situation ( this can be achieved by not going to war on the bases of retaliation. to turn the other cheek " and not fight evil back. Pacifism is the right response to war Jesus was a pacifist and so he wouldn't agree with this.
• Explain the attitudes of a Buddhist towards Just war theory ?


  - Buddhists don't encourage Just war and believe War cannot be justified in any circumstance, even in self defence
• Explain other views and utilitarianism attitudes toward Just War theory ?

  Other views : Non religious people might look to situation ethics to determine if war is just or not in each situation.This involves taking into account of context over ethical moral standards. May decide fighting in war against evil is the most loving thing to do Utilitarianism : Tye belief that actions are right if they promote happinessMight say that fighting against injustice can sometimes bring about happiness of the majority
• Name and explain the three rules for how to fighting war?

  - must be fought by JUST MEANSInnocent civilians should not be targeted or harmed , torture isn't allowed and prisoners must be treated humanely - only appropriate force should be used No use of excessive force - Internationally agreed conventions must be obeyed The Geneva Convention lays down the rules that must be obeyed in war
• Name an example of a Holy War in Contemporary World?

  Terrorists who say they are fighting to promote Islam ( such as 9/11)The ethnic cleansing of mostly Islamic Rohingya in majority Buddhist countries
• Explain Attitudes towards Holy war from a Chritsian Perspective?Referr to biblical refrences, Explain the meaning of this?

  Most chritsians today dont respond violently to an attack on their faith.This is because they believe that promoting or protecting religious faith can't justify violenceMany Christians have believe in peace insteadThis means it's better to defend the faith word rather than violence in order to promote peace ( Jesus-was a pacifist himself ) This is because Jesus said "Put your sword back in its place, for all that live by the sword shall die by the sword" This means that those who commit violent acts must expect to suffer violence themselves.
• Holy War Bible Quote

  "For all who live by the sword die by the sword "
• What is a Holy War?

  A holy war is a war fought for religous cause such as to defend the faith from attack
• Explain how Jesus cruxifiction can be used to represent chritsians attitudes towards the Holy War?

  When Jesus died his greatest victory, he didnt use a sword but instead surrendered himself, defensless in order to give up his life to win the battle of sin and deathTherefore Christians dont support holy war as a reason for war because this doesnt align with Jesus' acts, teachings.
• Give 2 features of a holy war?

  Fought to defend faithLed by a religous leader
• Name an example of a Holy war?Explain what the crusades was?

  CrusadesA war against muslims and christians, both believed to be fighting for God on each side
• Explain why Modern attempts at Holy War arent Just ?

  Most modern attempts at a Holy War have inflicted violence on civilians , and this goes against Principle of Just war Theory
• Define Weapon of Mass destruction ?

  can cause large levels of damage to civilians and environmentBoth civilian and combatants casualties
• Give 3 examples of weapons of mass destruction ?

  Chemical weaponsBiological weaponsNuclear weapons
• What are the FORS for a Nuclear Weapon?

  - Some religious believers do support the idea of a nuclear deterrence (stock pulling nuclear weapons to deter/ prevent enemy attack ) Many countries argue that having a nuclear weapon prevents any enemy attack and so reduces risk of losing that country or a war - Utilatruanism - belief that action should be done if it promotes greater good and outweighs bad The US justified their use of nuclear weapon in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end WW11 .They argued that it was the least costly means of winning war - both economically and in tems of (American ) lives therefore promoting happiness for Americans
• What are the AGAINSTS for nuclear weapons ?

  - Loss of LivesIt's a weapon of mass destruction and so therefore means it would have an effect on both combatants, civilians and have a negative health effect on many generations after attack .For example , in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the levels of radiation still has an negative health effect on civilians This also goes against conditions of a Just war ( Just means , innocent civilians should not be targeted ) - EconomicallyA nuclear weapon programme costs posts of money , this money could be used on better things like healthcare
• What Treaty have many countries signed to limit spread of nuclear weapons ?

  Non- Proliferation Treaty
• Explain 3 Christian Views on disagreement of Weapons of mass destruction ?

  Christian's are against WMD and their use . This is because of the believe that Only God has the right to end life.10 commandments "You shall not murder " . Weapons of mass destruction kill huge number of innocent civilians , so their is never a justified reason. This goes against the belief in the sanctity of life Nuclear Weapons can do judge damage to the environment . Christian's might say that this goes against the idea of stewardship: That Gof gave us responsibility to take care of his creation.
• Explain two contrasting religious beliefs on Weapons of mass destruction ?

  Only God has the right to end lifeThis means that it's only God who has authority , instead God had instructed Christians to " You shall not murder " (10 Commandments ) However , some Christian's say that having nuclear weapons maintains peace and prevent an attack THis is because they work as a deterrent