Christian POV - just war theory

• Christians believe God is just - he created everyone equally and treats everyone fairly.
• Christianity is a religion of peace that encourages people to achieve peace around the world
• As God is merciful, believers should be merciful
• Some Christians believe that God is said to have used violence against those who have disobeyed him e.g. the story of Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9)
• "eye for an eye" the retaliation or punishment resembles the offence of the same kind and degree

  • from exodus
• In Genesis chapters 6-9, it tells the story of Noah and the flood, which is an example of God using violence as a punishment.
• St Paul taught that Christians should not lose their temper and should be quick to forgive - Ephesians 4:32
• Christians believe that Jesus came to bring peace and reconciliation (John 14:27)
• and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us

  • we must forgive as God forgives us
• if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also

  • Jesus promoting pacifism
  • rejects violent punishment and violent self-defence
• The Lord's Prayer calls on us to: 'forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us.'
• "forgive 77 times"

  • forgiveness is not a one-time action
  • if someone asks for forgiveness over and again, then it is the duty of an individual to forgive them.
• Violence should only be used as a last resort
• Martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs
• Radicalisation - The process of becoming more extreme in one's political/religious views, leading to the use of violence