weapons of mass destruction

• 3 different types of weapons of mass destruction:

  • atomic or nuclear
  • biological
  • chemical
• it is generally agreed that jus in bello criteria cannot be met if WMD are used
• where weapons kill indiscriminately there are real concerns:

  • 2006: cluster bombs dropped on Lebanon; only 40% exploded on contact
  • these are still causing serious disability + death to innocent people
  • violation of jus in bello
• WMD never fulfil the Just War criteria of discrimination, proportionality + probability of success
• Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

  • "the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it": everyday that nuclear weapons are armed, humanity runs the risk of a nuclear catastrophe - living alongside this threat is not being a good steward of creation
  • "the Kingdom of God is come to you": by working for an end to nuclear weapons Christians are playing their part in advancing the Kingdom of God
• Christian views on the application of JWT to WMD: accept

  • conventional warfare is almost as bad as nuclear warfare in its methods + effects
  • WMD can't be uninvented
  • nuclear weapons act as a good deterrent to prevent war
• Christian view on the application of JWT to WMD: opposition

  • such weapons are intrinsically evil
  • Pope Francis has urged the abolition of nuclear weapons, as did the 2 previous Popes
  • most UK Churches are opposed to the replacement of Trident