Introduction to Peace and Conflict
Welcome to your study notes for Christianity: Peace and Conflict. This chapter explores how Christians understand the causes of war, the importance of peace, and how they should respond when the world becomes violent. Whether you are aiming for a grade 4 or a grade 9, understanding the balance between justice and peace is the key to mastering this topic.
Why does this matter? Conflict is a part of human history. Christians look to the Bible and the life of Jesus to decide if it is ever okay to fight, or if they should always "turn the other cheek."
1. Christian Attitudes Towards Peace
For Christians, peace is not just the absence of war; it is a state of harmony and well-being between people and God. This is often linked to the concept of the Kingdom of God on earth.
Key Teachings:
- Jesus as the "Prince of Peace": Christians believe Jesus came to bring peace between humanity and God.
- The Beatitudes: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
- The Nature of God: God is seen as a source of peace. In the New Testament, Paul often refers to "the God of peace."
Quick Review: Peace is a core Christian value. It is seen as a gift from God and a goal for all humanity to strive for.
2. The Role of Believers in Peacemaking
Christians believe they have a duty to actively work for peace. This is called peacemaking or reconciliation.
How Christians make peace:
- Forgiveness: Following Jesus' example of forgiving those who executed him.
- Mediation: Helping two sides in a conflict talk to each other to find a solution.
- Social Justice: Many Christians believe that you cannot have peace without justice. By fighting poverty and inequality, they are removing the causes of war.
- Organisations: Groups like Christian Aid or the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship work to support victims of conflict and promote non-violent solutions.
Did you know? The Quakers (The Society of Friends) are a Christian denomination famous for their "Peace Testimony." They refuse to participate in any form of violence or war.
3. Attitudes to Conflict and its Causes
Conflict happens for many reasons, such as greed, power, religion, or territory. Christians generally view conflict as a result of human sin and the misuse of free will.
The Bible on the causes of conflict:
- Greed: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Many wars are fought over resources or wealth.
- Selfishness: Conflict often arises when people put their own desires above the needs of others.
- Justice: Sometimes Christians believe conflict is necessary to stop a greater evil, such as a dictator harming innocent people.
4. Pacifism
Pacifism is the belief that any form of violence or war is unacceptable. There are different types of pacifism:
- Absolute Pacifism: The belief that it is never right to kill or use violence, even in self-defence.
- Relative Pacifism: The belief that war is generally wrong, but might be the "lesser of two evils" in extreme circumstances.
Why are some Christians pacifists?
- The Teachings of Jesus: Jesus told his followers: "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:39).
- The Commandments: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13).
- Love your Enemies: Jesus taught: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume all Christians are pacifists. While they all value peace, many believe that "Just War" is sometimes necessary.
5. Just War Theory
If a Christian is not a pacifist, they usually follow the Just War Theory. This is a set of rules used to decide if a war is morally "fair" or "just."
The Criteria for a Just War:
- Just Cause: The war must be fought for a good reason, like defending a country or stopping a massacre.
- Lawful Authority: It must be declared by a proper government or ruler.
- Right Intention: The goal must be to restore peace, not to get revenge or steal land.
- Last Resort: All peaceful options (like talking or sanctions) must have been tried first.
- Proportionality: The force used must not be more than is needed. You shouldn't use a nuclear bomb to settle a small border dispute.
- Chance of Success: It is wrong to go to war if you know you will lose and cause lives to be wasted for nothing.
Source of Authority: Some Christians point to Romans 13:1, which says people should obey the government, as it has been established by God. This implies that if a government goes to war justly, a Christian should support it.
6. Holy War
A Holy War is a war fought for a religious cause, often believed to be commanded by God. In the Old Testament, there are accounts of God commanding the Israelites to go to war (e.g., in the book of Joshua).
Modern Christian Views:
- Most modern Christians reject the idea of Holy War. They believe Jesus' message of love replaced the Old Testament idea of religious warfare.
- They argue that religion should never be used as a reason to kill others.
7. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
WMDs include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. They are "indiscriminate," meaning they kill thousands of innocent civilians alongside soldiers.
Christian Arguments Against WMDs:
- Sanctity of Life: Only God has the right to take life. WMDs destroy life on a massive scale.
- Stewardship: God gave humans the job of looking after the world (Genesis). Nuclear weapons can destroy the environment for generations.
- Just War: WMDs fail the "proportionality" and "innocent civilians" rules of Just War.
Divergent View (Deterrence): Some Christians might argue that having nuclear weapons is okay as a deterrent—meaning they exist to stop other countries from attacking, which actually keeps the peace.
8. Issues Surrounding Conflict
War isn't just about battles; it involves complex moral issues.
Violence and Protest: Most Christians believe in peaceful protest. However, some may argue that civil disobedience is acceptable if a law is profoundly unjust, though violent protest is usually condemned.
Terrorism: This is the use of violence against civilians to achieve a political goal. All Christian denominations condemn terrorism because it targets the innocent and spreads fear.
Victims of War: Christians believe they have a duty to help those affected by war (refugees, orphans, the injured). "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in" (Matthew 25:35).
Forgiveness: Even after a war, Christians believe in reconciliation. They believe they should forgive their enemies to prevent future cycles of violence. This is found in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."
Exam Tip: The Part (d) "Evaluate" Question
In your exam, you will have to evaluate a statement like: "A Christian can never support a war."
To get full marks (12 marks + 3 SPaG), you must:
- Give arguments for: (e.g., Pacifism, "Turn the other cheek," the example of Jesus).
- Give arguments against: (e.g., Just War Theory, protecting the innocent, Romans 13).
- Refer to Christian teachings: (Use your quotes like Matthew 5:9).
- Reach a justified conclusion: (Which side is stronger and why?).
Remember: Your spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG) count for an extra 3 marks on these questions!
Key Takeaways for Revision:
- Peace: A core goal for Christians (Beatitudes).
- Pacifism: The total rejection of violence (Quakers).
- Just War: A set of rules to make war "morally acceptable."
- WMDs: Mostly rejected due to the destruction of God's creation.
- Forgiveness: Essential for ending conflict and moving forward.