4- peace and conflict

• just war- war deemed to be morally or theologically justifiable
• there are 7 conditions for a just war
• situation ethics - doing the most loving thing
• humanists - non religious people who use reason and empathy to guide their life and decisions
• atheists - people who do not believe in god or religion
• violence - intentional use of force or power against oneself , another person or a group
• war - when two or more groups of people use violence against each other or on a large scale
• terrorism - unlawful use of violence against civilians to achieve a pollitical or religious goal
• Key topics for peace and conflict include peace, peacemaking, conflict, pacifism, just war, holy war, weapons of mass destruction, and issues surrounding conflict.
• Just war theory consists of eight principles: it must be fought for a just cause, declared by a proper legal authority, have a just intention, be a last resort, have a reasonable chance of success, be proportional, and conform to the rules of war.
• St Augustine was one of the first Christians to write about the morality of war
• The second condition of just war theory states that a war is just if it is fought with the authority of the government
• Situation ethics would respond to just war by stating that it is not always clear whether a war is just or not.
• There can be reasons for and against a just war.
• aims of a Holy War - spreading the faith, converting other countries, rescuing believers from oppressors, saving and restoring holy buildings, and taking revenge against blasphemies.
• A holy war can be aggressive.
• A just war is one that seeks to overcome evil.
• Christian believers can support a Holy War if it is both Just and Holy.
• Advocates of a holy war tend to see unbelief as an evil in itself.
• A Holy War can be about taking back whole countries that are now occupied by someone else.
• A Holy War can be about getting revenge for things done by another against faith believers.
• The leader of a holy war has to be a religious leader.
• A Holy War can be about recovering sacred places that have been taken by another faith.
• Some holy wars have been fought to spread the faith or win back a country that used to follow the beliefs of a particular religion.
• A Holy War is related to the Just War theory in that war and peace are justified as ways of restoring peace and justice.
• Religious leaders may declare holy war to defend their religion or their followers who are being persecuted in another country.
• Holy wars have religious aims or goals
• Holy wars are authorised by God or a spritual leader
• People who participate in a Holy war will recieve a reward - like going to heaven when they die
• Romans 13:1-4 - Paul states Christians have a duty to obey those in authority and respect a ruler's right to punish others.