Theme B

• Just war theory


  A set of criteria that a war needs to meet before it can be justified
• The New Testament contains teachings that suggest a limited use of violence is acceptable
• St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas devised a set of conditions that made fighting a war justifiable
• Many Catholics accept the just war theory and that war is sometimes necessary
• Early Christians refused to fight in wars as they did not believe they had the right to take someone else's life
• Jesus: ''The one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one' (Luke 22:36 (NRSV))'
• After 370a, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Christians faced the choice of either fighting or allowing the empire to be overrun by invaders
• Conditions for a just war

  • The damage inflicted by the aggressor must be lasting, grave, and certain
  • All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective
  • There must be serious prospects of success
  • The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated
• The just war theory is a last resort, having tried to solve the dispute
• Innocent civilians should not be attacked
• Just war criteria


  • It must be a just cause e.g. self-defence
  • Only proportional force should be used
  • Weapons must not be too destructive
  • There must be a reasonable chance of winning and bringing lasting peace
  • It must be declared by a legitimate authority e.g. by a state or sovereign (government)
• The army should only go to war


  When there has been a major abuse of power or there is a serious threat to the security of Britain
• The just war theory is dangerous


  As it could be used to defend the concept of war. It is outdated and not relevant to twenty-first century warfare
• We should only support a war

  That meets the just war criteria, as only then can it be justified
• It is so much better if war can be avoided


  By working together, including with the United Nations, to avoid conflict
• Christians believe that establishing justice helps God's Kingdom to spread on earth
• Justice


  Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed
• Some Christians believe that righteous anger (anger against injustice) can be effectively used to help create justice
• Christians generally support peaceful protests against injustice but most do not believe in violent protests
• Amos: 'Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an never-flowing stream.'
• The Catholic Church teaches that it is God's desire that everyone should be treated fairly
• Injustice can cause people to lose their sense of self-worth and self-respect. It can deny people dignity because they have been treated unfairly, e.g. black people suffered during the apartheid era in South Africa
• Although Jesus taught that anger should be avoided whenever possible, he showed righteous anger when he drove the sellers from the Temple as they had turned it into a market place (John 2:13-17)
• Many Christians believe that righteous anger is acceptable because it can be controlled and channelled into positive action, which can improve a situation
• Contrasting views on violent protest as a response to injustice

  • Most Christians are against violent protest
  • Some people will support violent protest in some circumstances providing no people are harmed
  • Some people will join others in taking part in protests which they accept may lead to violence, if they believe that it is the only way to get the government to take notice and end injustice
• There have been many wars in which religion has been a difference between the two sides, but it is seldom the only or the main reason for the conflict
• There are many examples of violence and war in the Old Testament, as the Israelites fought to conquer and defend the land they believed God had promised them
• Holy war


  Fighting for a religious cause or God, probably controlled by a religious leader
• Jesus: 'You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgement. But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement" (Matthew 5:21-22 (NRSV))'
• Exodus 21:24 says, 'eye for eye, tooth for tooth' which is often taken as meaning that it is acceptable to return violence with violence
• Many Old Testament passages show that God's wish is for peace for all people, not war, for example Isaiah 2:4
• The Crusades


  • Were authorised by various Popes, who believed it to be God's will
  • Took place between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries
  • Were fought by Christians who believed that if they died in battle they would go straight to heaven
  • Aimed to free Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the control of the Muslim Turks
• The concept of a holy war does not feature in current Christian belief - Christians are more likely to use the power of argument rather than military strength
• The Bible teaches that it is the duty of Christians to be at peace with one another and to help to bring about reconciliation
• The Catholic Church teaches that all believers should be involved in peacemaking and conflict resolution (creating peace where there have been disputes and war)
• Two organisations, Pax Christi and the Justice and Peace Commission, work with the Catholic Church to help bring mutual respect, justice, reconciliation and peace
• Some Christians believe in non-violent resistance to pursue justice
• Paul: 'I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women (Philippians 4:2-3 (NRSV))'
• Pope Benedict XVI: 'Peace, however, is not merely a gift to be received: it is also a task to be undertaken.'
• The Bible teaches that living in harmony shows that God is present