Religious studies

• Peace


  The opposite of war and harmony between all in society
• Importance of peace for Christians

  • Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers"
  • The Quran says "Words of peace"
• Justice


  Bringing fairness back to a situation
• Importance of justice for Christians and Muslims

  • Isaiah 1:17 says to "seek justice"
  • The Quran says to "stand up firmly for justice"
• Forgiveness


  Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done
• Importance of forgiveness for Christians and Muslims


  • Jesus said to forgive "not seven but seventy-seven times"
  • The Hadith says "Forgive others and God will forgive you"
• Reconciliation


  Making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups or sides after disagreement
• Importance of reconciliation for Christians and Muslims

  • The Bible says "God reconciled himself to us through Christ"
  • The Hadith says "Whoever makes reconciliation, his reward is from God"
• Violence


  Behavior involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage
• Religious beliefs that violence is always wrong

  • Jesus said "Those who live by the sword die by the sword"
  • Jesus taught to "turn the other cheek"
  • Christians should use the "weapon of love" instead of violence
• Martin Luther King Jr. rejected the use of violence and advocated for non-violent methods of protest
• Violence


  Should not be used in response, even if someone uses violence against you
• Weapon of love


  The only weapon that should be used, not weapons that cause harm
• Imago Dei


  The belief that every human being is made in the image of God, so their life is sacred and they should be treated with respect
• Islam


  A religion of peace at its core, with a commitment to peace and the oneness of humanity
• Everyone is created from a single soul


  So violence should never be used against another human being, as they are lovingly created by God
• Jesus violently protesting


  • Overturning tables in the temple to protest commercialisation
• Violence may be justified

  For self-defense, to defend religion, as part of a just war, or for retribution/revenge
• Terrorism


  The use of violence and threats to intimidate others, often for political purposes
• Christians and Muslims believe terrorism is wrong based on scriptural teachings against killing and harming others</b>
• Terrorism is not as big a problem as COVID-19 in terms of deaths, but it is about creating fear and changing people's way of life
• Muslim Council of Britain: 'The vast majority of Muslims condemn terrorism wholeheartedly and unequivocally'
• Pope Francis: 'We cannot be silent when terrorism abuses religion'
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'Terrorism threatens, wounds and kills indiscriminately, which is gravely against justice and charity'
• War


  Armed conflict between two or more sides
• Causes of war


  • Greed for resources/power
  • Self-defense
  • Retaliation
  • Natural resources
  • National pride
  • Fighting against injustice/aggression
  • Protecting people
• Some causes of war may be justifiable, which will be discussed in just war theory
• Victims of war


  Those who are harmed during a war, e.g. killed, injured, or left homeless
• Causes of war


  • Greed for resources or power
  • Self-defense
  • Retaliation
  • Fighting for natural resources
  • National pride
  • Fighting against injustice and aggression
  • Protecting people
• Some causes of war could be justifiable, others less so
• Consequences of war


  • Death
  • Homelessness
  • Poverty
  • Malnutrition
  • Illiteracy
  • Economic ruin
  • Psychological trauma
  • Poor healthcare
  • Political instability
  • Orphans
• How religious individuals and groups help victims of war


  • Donating to charities
  • Volunteering to deliver aid or provide emergency support
  • Raising awareness to get more help
  • Taking in refugees
  • Donating clothes or other items
• Christians: 'Do to others what you would have them do to you'
• Prophet Muhammad: 'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself'
• Just war theory


  The set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God
• Criteria for a just war (before the war)

  • Declared by legitimate authority
  • Just cause
  • Right intention
  • Last resort
  • Reasonable chance of success
• Criteria for a just war (during the war)

  • Innocent civilians must not be targeted
  • Use of force must be proportionate
• The Quran also discusses the idea of justified war in self-defense, but with the condition of not transgressing limits
• Holy war


  War that is believed to be sanctioned by God
• In early Islam, Prophet Muhammad fought in holy wars, including the Battle of Badr and the conquest of Mecca