2.2. Holy War

• A Holy War is a war undertaken for primarily religious reasons, typically sanctioned by religious leaders or scriptures
• Religious fervor and piety are major motivations for Holy Wars.

  True
• The Islamic conquests in the 7th century are an example of a Holy War undertaken by adherents of Islam
• Holy wars are typically characterized by a belief that the conflict is willed by a divine power
• A Holy War is a war undertaken for primarily religious reasons, typically sanctioned by religious leaders or scriptures
• The Crusades and the Islamic conquests are examples of holy wars.
• Christianity justifies holy war by defending Christian lands and believers
• Hindu epics like the Mahabharata depict righteous warfare to protect dharma.

  True
• Religious fervor and piety are key motivations in a holy war.

  True
• In holy war, religious leaders' approval is required while in just war theory, it is secular authorities.
• Islam justifies holy war for spreading Islamic rule and defending Muslim territories.
• Which historical examples of holy wars involve the Crusades and the Islamic conquests?

  Christian and Islamic conflicts
• What were the Crusades fought for?

  Control of the Holy Land
• The Mughal-Maratha Wars were justified by the need to protect Hindu dharma
• One of the primary aims of a Holy War is to defend or spread a religion
• Match the characteristics of Holy War with those of Just War Theory:

  Divine Sanction ↔️ Holy War

  Secular Authority ↔️ Just War Theory
• Arrange the following historical examples of Holy Wars by the religion associated with them:

  1️⃣ Christianity: Crusades

  2️⃣ Islam: Islamic conquests

  3️⃣ Hinduism: Mughal-Maratha Wars
• Islam justifies holy war by spreading Islamic rule and defending Muslim territories.


  True
• Hinduism justifies holy war by protecting dharma and Hindu communities
• Just War Theory requires divine sanction for warfare.

  False
• Holy wars are primarily driven by religious reasons and divine sanction.

  True
• Islam justifies holy war by spreading Islamic rule and defending Muslim territories
• A holy war is believed to be willed or commanded by a divine power.
• Is divine sanction required in just war theory?

  No
• Christianity justifies holy war for defending Christian lands and believers.


  True
• Arrange the following criticisms and counterarguments against holy war:

  1️⃣ Morally unjustified - Religious texts justify defense

  2️⃣ Impractical and ineffective - Warfare protects religious community

  3️⃣ Promotes religious intolerance - Religious duty outweighs concerns
• Engaging in holy war is seen as a religious duty by some religions.


  True
• The Crusades were motivated by the desire to defend the Christian faith
• The Islamic conquests were justified by divine sanction from Allah.


  True
• Holy wars are primarily driven by belief in divine sanction.


  True
• The Mahabharata is a Hindu epic that depicts righteous warfare.

  True
• What is a common criticism of holy wars regarding their societal impact?

  Promotes religious intolerance
• Holy war relies on religious sanction, while just war theory uses secular criteria
• A Holy War is believed to be willed or commanded by a divine power.


  True
• The Crusades were primarily motivated by religious reasons and sanctioned by religious leaders.

  True
• Christianity justifies holy war by defending Christian lands and believers.


  True
• A Holy War is characterized by the belief that it is willed by a divine power.


  True
• Arrange the following historical examples of Holy Wars by the religion associated with them:

  1️⃣ Christianity: Crusades

  2️⃣ Islam: Islamic conquests

  3️⃣ Hinduism: Mughal-Maratha Wars
• The Bible includes passages that are used to justify defensive warfare.


  True
• What are the primary motivations behind a holy war?

  Religious reasons