Theme B religion peace and conflict

• How was the world in the begging and how did humans corrupt it ?

  the world was 'very good' gensis 1;31 and place of paradise garden of Eden however humans rejected God's rules and corrupted humans nature so sin brought about feelings of anger which lead to violence and bullying
• what are ideas violence in the bible

  Jesus says in the old 'testament murders will be judged but also those who are angry with their brother and sister will also receive judgement '

  
  

  Cain and able - wrong thought can turn into wrong actions
• what does the bible say about bullying

  "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." proverbs 18;21

  
  

  The Tongue Is Mightier Than The Sword - James 3:1-12
• What is forgiveness?


  Showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong
• where in the bible do we see forgiveness

  - on the cross when Jesus said lord forgive them for they don't know what they are doing

  - Jesus forgave Peter for denying him

  - Jesus said we should forgive our brother 77 times meaning we should always forgive
• What is reconciliation?


  Restoring harmony after relationships have broken down
• what does reconciliation bring about

  - more peaceful future

  - opportunities to learn from the past

  - opportunities to live without fear

  - stronger relationship

  - appreciation and acceptance of each other
• where do we see reconciliation in the church and bible

  - "first. be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Jesus says you have to reconcile first showing it importance

  - pope Francis called for reconciliation and respect between all religions

  - when Jesus said peace i leave you peace i give unto you showing we should make peace
• What is justice?


  Bringing about what is right, fair, according to the law or making up for what has been done wrong
• why do Christians believe in righteous anger

  - as Jesus showed righteous anger in the temple when he flipped the table as the temple had been turn into a market place

  - so many Christians believe it can be used in acceptable situations as it can be controlled and channelled to improve the situation
• the importance of justice in the bible


  - amos in the OT taught justice was more important then ensuring worship id done correctly

  - "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream"
• negative view on violent protest

  Christians agree that people should be able to protest, but not by using violence as it ineffective and damaging way to create change and result in loss of life

  
  

  Martin Luther King was a Christian who was involved in non-violent protests. He followed the teaching "love your neighbour" (New Testament).
• positive view on violent

  - believe it the only way to end issue if the government isn't taken notice

  - for example the suffragettes

  - the church took part in a protest that became violent against government in Congo in 2015
• What is the Just War Theory conditions

  C.L.I.P.S plus winning

  C- it must be a just cause not a selfish reason

  L - last resort has tried other means

  I - cannot harm innocent civilians

  P - proportional force should be used not WMD

  S - state of authority must declare it

  chance of winning and bringing peace
• what does Jesus say about fighting

  " those who live by the sword die by the sword "

  " The one who has no sword must sell his cloak to buy one"
• opinions of just war by British society

  - just war is a dangerous concept and can be used to deafened the concept of war it is outdated an not relevant to 21 century warfare

  - it better to avoid war by working together with the united nations

  - army should only go to war when here has been a major breach of security
• what is the catholic attitude to nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction WMD

  the catholic church oppose the use of WMD and nuclear weapons for 5 main reason ;

  1. they are completely indiscriminate and have long term effects

  2. their totally disproportionate to any success that follows

  3. with WMD's possible success is small pope Benedict say " their are no victors only victims "

  4. the cost of researching buildings and maintaining the weapons is high and prevent government spending on other things

  5. possession of weapons increase tension and fear making the world unsafe

  pope Pius say nothing is lost by peace everything is lost by war
• contrasting view on nuclear weapons

  - some christian believe Britain having nuclear weapons are okay as it deters aggressive attacks from other countries and having such weapons are important for self defence particularity when other countries have them

  
  

  - Many christian call for the disarmament of nuclear weapons and support organisations such as CND
• What are the consequences of modern warfare

  Civilian Casualties - results in far more civilian death then military death

  
  

  Refugees - many civilians have to flee their homes with few possessions and live in poor conditions

  
  

  Environmental Damage - modern warfare can do great damage to environment and chemical weapons can effect vegetation for decades after war has ended
• what are causes of war

  politics religon economics self defence to gain land revange
• Example of holy war

  the crusades - the pope ordered Christians to fight for the holy land in Jerusalem all that thought were believed go to heaven right after
• example of holy war in the bible

  In the OT Israelite fought to establish themselves in the promise land to defened their country
• what does the bible say about violence and wrong doing

  " eye for an eye tooth for a tooth ' Exdous 21 :24

  however it also says

  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:38-39).
• What is a holy war?

  Fighting for a religious cause or God, probably controlled by a religious leader
• christian view on pacifism with quotes

  - Jesus thought it was much better to try to bring peace than use violence the early Christians would not fight in martin of tours as they said ' its not right for me to fight '

  
  

  - Martin Luther king was a christian and refused to use violence

  
  

  - Quakers - promote pacifism and acted as recherche barriers but refuse to fight

  
  

  - pax christi was set up after second world war to reconcile war torn countries

  
  

  "blessed are the peace makers for the will be called children of God " Mathew 5 ; 9
• Catholic teaching of pacifism

  Catholic believe every nations has the right to protect themselves however emphasis no violent approaches to resolve conflict.

  
  

  " the church strive for peace but does not preach radical pacifism " youcat 398
• the efforts of the pope to prevent war and help victims of war

  - each week he highlights the need to pray for peace

  - in 2014 pope Francis organised a prayer meeting between the president of Israel and Palestine

  - in 2014 organised a football match in Rome Olympic stadium to fund for children in need after war religions of all took part
• Catholic agencies to help with war

  CAFOD - after Sierra Leone war helped set up orphanages and rehabilitation programmes to help soldiers go back to their normal.

  
  

  AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED - civil war Syria caused fleeing and need of shelter they provided shelter blankets food and medicine

  
  

  CARITAS INTERNATIONAL - help people in niger in 2015 by providing water and shelter even though they were in danger of being attacked
• What is terrorism?


  the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
• biblical perspective on terrorism

  - paul taught 'obey authorities as God has appointed them '

  - paul also taught ' never take avangce but the Lord say it is mine
• need to add 12. 11 and 12.. 12