Philosophy, Ethics and Religion in Society Revision Guide Religion, War and Peace

From the AQA Specification

Within this topic candidates should be familiar with the key teachings from the religion(s) studied and should be aware of how religious leaders and other faith members have interpreted these teachings and applied them to life in society today. the concepts of peace and justice and the sanctity of life in relation to war and peace; the causes of war; conflict, including examples of recent wars; the reasons why religious believers might go to war, including the criteria for Just War and Holy War; religious believers and pacifism; victims of war, including refugees, those maimed; organisations which help victims of war, e.g. The Red Cross, The Red Crescent; the work of a religious believer who has worked for peace; peacekeeping forces, e.g. United Nations, NATO; issues such as terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and nuclear proliferation; arguments for and against nuclear weapons, including proliferation; religious beliefs and teachings and modern statements about war and peace.

Peace Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but also a feeling of well-being. Even in times of conflict many people may find inner peace***, happiness and security through their religious faith. Justice Some would say that without justice there can be no peace. Real peace can only exist when people are able to live in freedom with full human rights, including the right to follow a religion without fear. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King believed that if a society oppressed its people it was not a peaceful society. The Sanctity of Life People use the term sanctity of life to suggest that life is something sacred, something very special, and not to be trifled with. Sometimes people argue that since all life is sacred and God-given, it is not up to humans to take it away. How, then, can religious believers justify killing people in a war? Some people believe that violence against other human beings is always wrong. They are known as pacifists.

The Causes of War People go to war for many reasons: here are a few: 1) To defend their country against attack 2) To defend their beliefs, religion, way of life etc 3) To defend an ally or weaker country 4) To remove their leader (i.e. a civil war) 5) To gain more land or regain territory lost in an earlier war 6) To gain wealth and power 7) To stop atrocities such as genocide in another country or to depose of a dictator

Examples of Recent Wars a) The Vietnam War of 1959-1975. The Communist North Vietnam fought the South Vietnam government which was supported by the USA. The North won. b) The Falklands War of 1982. A task force from Britain recaptured the Falkland Islands which had been overtaken by Argentina who claimed it belonged to them c) The Iraq War

 The terror attacks of 2001 (universally known as 9/11) are seen by some as the reason George W. Bush took a greater interest in Iraq, calling for an end to production of 'weapons of mass destruction' in 2002. UN weapons inspectors entered Iraq, but found no compelling proof of the existence of weapons of mass destruction. In the UK, Tony Blair claimed that War was necessary to remove weapons of mass destruction. This claim was later found to have been based on unreliable intelligence. Tony Blair then focused on the importance of removing Saddam Hussein from power. In 2002, America formed a 'coalition of the willing' and, before weapons inspectors could finalise their work, they attacked in March 2003. In 2004, Kofi Anan said that the resolution to go to war was contrary to the UN Charter and illegal. The decision to go to war has been heavily criticised by many (although Bush was re-elected in 2004 as was Blair in 2005). The invasion of Iraq led to an occupation and the eventual capture and then execution of President Hussein. February 2009, newly elected U.S. President Barack Obama announced an 18-month withdrawal window for combat forces, with approximately 50,000 troops remaining in the country "to advise and train Iraqi security forces and to provide intelligence and surveillance"

Connsequences of War

Good Ones

Freedom from an occupying force, the replacement of a corrupt government etc.

Bad Ones
Death of both military and civilians, destruction of a countrys economy, disease, famine, refugees etc.

Sometimes religions believe fighting a war is justifiable if it is the only course of action to prevent a real evil. This kind of war is known as a Just War

Just War Some people consider all wars to be wrong. Others, however, believe that there are certain times when it is the right thing to do. Basing his theory on the teachings of 4th century scholastics St Ambrose and St Augustine,*** St Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century suggested five conditions for a Just War. Before going to war (Jus ad Bellum) *** these conditions had to be met. 1. There must be a just cause (e.g. self-defence) 2. A proper authority (e.g. a government) must authorise it. 3. There must be a good intention (e.g. the overthrow of a dictator) and fighting should stop when that has been achieved. 4. There must be reasonable chance of success. 5. It must be the last resort all other channels for preventing war must be attempted prior to war.

Once war is taking place (Jus in Bello) *** two further conditions must be met. 1. Proportional means must be used. A tank should not be used, for instance, when a soldier with a gun will suffice. 2. Innocent people should be protected at all times. 3. ***There have also been many examples of activities that contravene 'jus in bello'. The most notorious example is the treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib, where Iraqi prisoners were beaten, tortured, abused and humiliated. Critics claim that the way the war has been fought has resulted in numerous un-necessary deaths. Holy War A Holy War is conflict between one group and another who the first group deems to be unbelievers. Holy Wars have included The Israelites capturing those in the Promised Land Christians going on Crusades to the Holy Land to face the Muslims Saddam Hussein in 1990 called for Holy War against the USA But Do religions (organisations of tolerance) have the right to conquer and convert other people? Might a number of religions share the same Truth? How can peace-promoting religions justify war.

Christianity and War and Peace Jesus, the Prince of Peace, taught that we should Love our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12: 33) but also to Love our enemies (Matthew 5: 43) Not seek revenge turn the other cheek (Matthew 5: 39) Remember that Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5: 9)

BUT Jesus, was not a pure pacifist. Yes, he told one of his disciples to put away his sword when the Romans came to arrest him But he saw the need for weapons as a form of defence to be used as a last resort: Whoever has no sword must sell his coat and buy one. (Luke 22: 36) ***

Some Christians agree with the idea of a Just War, according to the lines laid out by Thomas Aquinas. Bishop Oscar Romero, *** for example, campaigned for justice in El Salvador and encouraged the countrys peasants to fight for justice. He was known as a liberation theologist. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Christian minister during WW11, took part in a plot to assassinate Hitler. Some Christians are pacifists. The Society of Friends (The Quakers) is a pacifist Christian denomination. Martin Luther King (a Baptist) and Bruce Kent (a Catholic) were also pacifists and encouraged non-violent protest.

Islam and War and Peace The very word Islam comes from a root word meaning peace ***. Whenever Muslims meet the first thing they say to each other is Peace be with you. While peace is the ideal, Muslims however recognise that sometimes fighting might be necessary to bring about peace and justice. This fight for justice is known as jihad*** (striving in English). Jihad

 The Greater Jihad = the personal inner struggle against evil The Lesser Jihad = a military struggle against those who oppose Islam Strike terror into the enemy of Allah states the Quran 8: 61 There are eight rules that govern a lesser jihad 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Must be started and controlled by a religious leader Must have a just cause The intention must be good, not evil Must be a last resort Must never be in order to gain land or fought in anger Killing must not be indiscriminate Innocent civilians should not suffer The environment should be protected as much as possible Forgiveness is very important to Islam. Only Allah can truly forgive but Paradise is for those who curb their anger and forgive their fellow men (Quran 3: 134) The Hadith encourages Muslims to hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day ***

Pacifism

A pacifist is someone who is against war. There were 16,000 pacifists in the First World War, known as conscientious objectors *** Does this mean they are cowards? - NO many still help in times of war. For example they will drive ambulances, become stretcher bearers.

Two famous pacifists are the Hindu Mahatma Gandhi and the Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr. Both protested against injustice, both went on marches. Both went to jail for their beliefs. Both were assassinated. The Buddhist Dalai Lama *** also believes in a non-violent response to the oppression by China of the people of Tibet. The Quakers (The Society of Friends) are a Christian pacifist denomination, committed to non-violence. They work with the UN to promote peace and work to promote human rights and support of refugees Never take revenge- leave it to Gods anger. For Quakers war can NEVER be justified ***Turning the Tide is one way Quakers work for peace. It aims to show how cycles of conflict can be broken through negotiation and non-violent strategies.

Pacifists believe: 1) Every person is worthy of respect 2) War damages lives and the environment 3) Killing goes against the teachings of Scripture

(e.g. Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called Sons of God Matthew 5: 9) 4) Using violence is sinking to the other persons level 5) Negotiation not war - is often the best way to end a dispute

Helping the Victims of War War has many victims, besides those injured and killed, Survivors can have long-lasting physical and mental injuries. Cities are destroyed, homes lost, families separated and children orphaned. Organisations such as the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal *** are neutral and ain to ensure respect for human life and health; they work to prevent and alleviate suffering without discrimination based on nationality, religion, race, class or political opinion. The Red Cross Was started by Henry Dunant in 1859 after he witnessed how soldiers had been left dying on the battlefield. His aim was to establish voluntary relief organisations and treaties to protect neutral medical staff and field hospitals. The international Red Cross and Red Crescent has about 97 million volunteers worldwide. All members are seen as neutral. Their aim is to protect human life and health; and to prevent and alleviate suffering without any discrimination based on nationality, religion, race, class or political opinions Irena Sendler*** Roman Catholic member of the Polish resistance. She offered Jews food and shelter and helped create

over 3,000 false documents so Jewish families could avoid arrest. She smuggled children out of the Jewish ghettoes and placed them safely with families or in catholic convents. Every child saved with my help is a justification of my existence on this Earth, and not a title of glory. Refugees People who flee their countries to escape war. They may be forced to live in refugee camps and have very basic provisions. If the neighbouring country is poor it finds it difficult to help. The Red cross and crescent support refugees.

Peacekeeping Forces The Security Council of the United Nations was created in 1948 to ensure peace throughout the world. Peace-keeping forces*** from the UN are stationed throughout the world today. The UN does its best to protect civilians and ensure aid is given where needed. Organisations such as War Child, started by Brian Eno and Nigel Osborne *** work to provide medical care, food, education and social welfare programmes to war zones throughout the world. NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was created in 1949: it is a military alliance of countries support each other if they are attacked.

 Non-violent protest Showing disapproval without damaging property or causing any threat. Marching in silence as a demonstration Making a stand using entirely peaceful means

Terrorism and WMD Terrorism is the unlawful use of extreme violence *** usually against innocent civilians to achieve a political goal. Recent examples of terrorism include the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York on September 11 2001, and the suicide bombings in Baghdad. Terrorists use bombs, kidnapping, hijacking and shooting to fight for their cause. They often claim that they are forced to act as they do because it is the only way to remove what they see as an evil political or religious system. An act of terrorism is not open warfare. to one nation, or be worldwide. September 11th, 2001 It may be confined

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are weapons that can kill large numbers of people all at once. They can be Biological (e.g. infecting a water system with bacteria) Chemical (e.g. Napalm in the Vietnam War) Nuclear (e.g. the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima)

Biological and Chemical warfare are banned by international agreement, although there is evidence that some countries have continued to experiment with these forms of warfare. Some think nuclear weapons are necessary because they act as a deterrent***, since they pose such a massive threat. Others, however, like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) believe they pose an unacceptable risk to humanity, and cannot be justified for any reason. Nuclear warfare War which uses nuclear weapons will kill civilians not only by the immediate impact and heat from the nuclear explosion, but also through the long term effects like radiation sickness and cancer. Example Hiroshima Japan WW11. America dropped two bombs which they claimed ended WW11 more quickly, and saved lives as well as take them. This however, is debatable; many say the war was about to end so dropping the bomb was morally wrong. Two-thirds of Hiroshima was destroyed. Over a third of a million people were killed. Within three miles of the explosion, 60,000 of the 90,000 buildings were demolished. People are still suffering from the affects today. Arguments for Nuclear Weapons They act as a deterrent If you dispose of them you leave your country vulnerable.

Arguments against CND The campaign for Nuclear Disarmament a group set up to protest against nuclear weapons. They believe they are a threat to humanity The PROLIFERATION (growth and spread )of nuclear weapons makes the chances greater that irresponsible governments or terrorists might obtain them. The use of them could never be just because the damage is so great. All religions oppose the use of nuclear weapons and support disarmament. Nuclear weapons are seen as evil as they will destroy the environment and life on this planet.

Proliferation Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons. Trident The nuclear load carried by a single Trident submarine (Britain has several) is equivalent to 8 times the total fire power used during the whole of World War 11 and the explosive capacity to destroy all the major cities of the northern hemisphere. MAD (Mutually assured destruction) The Deterrence Theory, you will not attempt to destroy us, because you would be destroyed as well, and nor will we attempt to destroy you, because we would be destroyed by you. Son of Star Wars - Military satellites are used which are capable of detecting and destroying enemy missiles. Described as shooting a bullet with a bullet. Supporters say the system is needed to protect the US against rogue states with nuclear weapons such as Iran, Iraq and North Korea, and guards against

any accidental launch of missiles. So far, it has not proved to be at all effective, despite trillions of dollars of investment. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) With 189 State parties, it has more signatories than any other treaty of its kind. All States are now party to it apart from India, Israel and Pakistan. Aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapon technology and to further achieve the goal of nuclear disarmament. Sample Exam Questions (a) What is meant by a Holy War? (1 mark) (b) Give two reasons why countries might go to war. (2 marks) (c) No one who is religious can be a terrorist. What do you think? Explain your opinion. (3 marks) (d) Explain why some religious believers are prepared to fight in a war. (6 marks) (e) Wars do not solve problems; they only create them. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks)