Just War Theory

• Just War Theory

  As Christianity spread and became the religion of rulers and political authorities, many Christians came to feel that, although peace is always preferable, sometimes it is right to go to war. In the 13th Century, St Thomas Aquinas proposed a set of criteria for what would make a war a ‘just war’ for Christians. His ideas were adopted by the Church and added to by later Christian thinkers.
• How many key criteria are there for a 'just war'?

  7
• What is a just reason for going to war?

  A just reason includes self-defense or going to the defense of others
• Who must declare a war in the UK for it to be considered legitimate?

  Parliament
• What is the intention behind a just war?

  The intention is to restore peace
• What does it mean for a war to be a last resort?

  It means all other non-violent ways of resolving the conflict must have been tried first
• Why is it important to have a reasonable chance of success in a just war?

  Because lives should not be wasted fighting a war which cannot be won
• What is the stance on civilian casualties in a just war?

  Civilians should not be deliberately targeted, although some civilian casualties are accepted
• What does it mean for military force to be proportionate in a just war?

  It means that the military force used must be appropriate to the situation, such as not using heavy weaponry against unarmed individuals
• What are the 7 key criteria for a 'just war'?

  1. Just reason for going to war (e.g., self-defense)
  2. Declared by a legitimate authority (e.g., Parliament in the UK)
  3. Intention to restore peace
  4. War as a last resort (non-violent options tried first)
  5. Reasonable chance of success
  6. Civilians not deliberately targeted
  7. Military force must be proportionate
• What do Christians who support Just Wars believe about defending the weak?

  They believe it is sometimes right to go to war to protect innocent people.
• How does the doctrine of double effect relate to Just War?

  It supports Just War if the intention is to defend the innocent and establish peace, not to kill people.
• What does the Old Testament suggest about God's view on war?

  It suggests that God does not always disapprove of war, as He commands the Jews to fight and destroy foreign nations.
• What was Jesus' attitude towards soldiers according to the New Testament?

  Jesus never condemned the soldiers he met and praised a Roman centurion's faith.
• What does Saint Paul say about governing authorities in Romans 13:1?

  He states that everyone must submit to governing authorities established by God.
• How do some Christians interpret Saint Paul's statement regarding war?

  They interpret it to mean they should go to war if the government requires it.
• Which Christian denominations have issued statements about the necessity of war?

  The Church of England and Roman Catholic Church have stated that war is sometimes necessary for just reasons.
• What are the reasons Christians may support Just Wars?

  • Defense of the weak and innocent
  • Doctrine of double effect supporting peace
  • Old Testament examples of God commanding war
  • Jesus' acceptance of soldiers
  • Saint Paul's teachings on authority
  • Statements from major denominations on just reasons for war
• Ethical Theories and Just War

  ❖ A situation ethicist aims to do the most loving thing in each situation. A situation ethicist may support fighting in a Just War if it was to defend the innocent and restore peace.

  ❖ Utilitarians aim to bring about the greatest good for the greatest number by maximising pleasure and minimising pain. A utilitarian may support fighting in a Just War if the number of people who would be protected was greater than the number of people killed or injured and that there was a good chance that it would lead to peace in the long term.