RS THEMES 📝

• Peace


  A state characterized by happiness, harmony, and the absence of war, violence, or conflict
• Organization working towards peaceful solutions to conflict


  • The United Nations
• Reasons for lack of peace in the world

  • Acts of crime leading to violence
  • Wars between countries
  • Terrorist activities
• Pacifists


  Individuals who oppose war, violence, and conflict under any circumstances
• Pacifist


  • Gandhi believed in ahimsa (non-violence) in his approach to protest
• Pacifists and peacemakers advocate for non-violent resistance against oppression and injustice because they believe it's crucial to create a just and equal world where conflict is unnecessary
• Christianity and Islam encourage believers to seek peaceful solutions to problems
• Justice


  Restoring fairness to a situation and ensuring people receive what they deserve
• Injustice


  Fairness is lacking, and individuals are denied what they rightfully deserve
• Examples of injustice

  • Violation of human rights
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights


  A document drafted by the United Nations in 1948, outlining basic rights every human should have, regardless of race, gender, or social class
• Rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights


  • Right to life, liberty, security of person, freedom from torture, and freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
• Christian churches universally support the UN Declaration of Human Rights and advocate for the elimination of injustice worldwide
• Role of religion regarding justice and injustice


  Religion aims to bring justice to the world and combat injustice wherever it's found
• Many religious people feel obligated to fight against wars because they often perceive wars as involving the abuse of justice and feel duty-bound to oppose them
• Justice is vital in religion because all individuals are considered equal in the eyes of God
• Many religious individuals believe they must act directly or indirectly to create peace in the world
• Christians advocate fighting against injustice and restoring peace because they follow the example of Jesus and guidance from the Bible
• The Bible expresses a vision of a peaceful future, with nations avoiding conflict
• Teachings of Jesus regarding peace and conflict resolution

  • Love enemies
  • Turn the other cheek
  • Blessed peacemakers
• Christians believe God will ultimately judge nations and settle disputes
• Some Christians believe violence is justified to stand up for injustices, following certain rules outlined in the Bible
• Forgiveness


  When a person stops feeling hurt by something that has happened to them
• Many people believe forgiveness and reconciliation are important for criminals because it allows them to be reconciled with the community and reduces the likelihood of re-offending
• Some societies assist ex-offenders in reintegrating into society by offering programs providing jobs and qualifications
• Restorative justice


  Helps criminals and victims understand each other and aids in the reconciliation process
• Finding peace through forgiveness and reconciliation is important for Christians as it aligns with their values and teachings
• Most religious individuals also believe in justice and punishment for crimes despite advocating forgiveness
• Reconciliation


  The act of bringing together people who were previously in conflict to make peace
• Contexts where reconciliation can occur

  • Personal conflicts between friends, family members, or associates
  • Between countries after war or the threat of conflict
• Reconciliation is sometimes facilitated by an intermediary who mediates conflicting parties and helps achieve a peaceful outcome
• Sacrament of reconciliation (Roman Catholic)


  Involves individuals asking God for forgiveness through confession
• Christians and Muslims believe that God is forgiving and merciful
• Christians and Muslims believe they should forgive others since God is merciful to them, leading to peace and conflict avoidance
• Christianity is based upon the foundational concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and agape love
• Christians believe forgiveness and love have the power to lead to reconciliation and the resolution of conflicts
• Teachings from the Bible guiding Christians on forgiveness and reconciliation


  • Jesus's sacrifice on the cross brought about forgiveness and reconciliation
• Example of forgiveness in the Bible

  • When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother up to seven times, Jesus instructed him to forgive seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:22)
• Jesus teaches that if you forgive others, your heavenly Father will forgive you, but if you don't forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14–15)
• The Lord's Prayer includes a line where Christians ask for forgiveness and commit to forgiving others