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