Peace and Conflict

The United NationsReligion and world peace

Just WarReligious attitude towards war.Religious attitude towards bullying.

Conflict in the family. Religious teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation.

Key Words

Weapons of Mass Destruction: Weapons that can destroy large areas and kill huge numbers of people.

Pacifism: A belief that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.

Just War: A war that is fought in a right way and for the right reasons.

Conflict Resolution: Bringing a fight or struggle to a peaceful conclusion.

United Nations: An international body set up to promote world peace and cooperation.

Aggression: Attacking without being provoked. Exploitation: Taking advantage of a weaker group. Respect: Treating a person or their feelings with consideration. World Peace: The ending of war throughout the whole world

(basic aim of the UN). Bullying: Intimidating or frightening people who are weaker

than yourself. Forgiveness: Stopping blaming someone and/or pardoning a

person for what they have done wrong. Reconciliation: bringing together people who were opposed to

each other

UN

UN basic aims: 1: To maintain international peace and security2: To develop friendly relations between countries. 3: To help countries develop economically and socially. Peace = RESPECT for life, human dignity, human rights and the

rejection of violence along with a commitment to freedom, justice and friendship.

RESOLVE CONFLICTS:

Peace negotiations

Providing a neutral force

to support peace PREVENT CONFLICTS:

Negotiators

Tackle the causes of war.

E.g. economic poverty.

UNICEF: Children’s welfare

UNESCO: Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation

World Peace

THE QUAKERS

PACIFISM AND NON-VIOLENCEWork with the UN to reconcile warring states.

Campaign against nuclear weapons

Work to tackle the causes of conflict – poverty etc

Try to influence foreign policy

“War may be necessary. Refusing to fight would allow

evil to win!”

Just War

A Just War is one which has to be fought but is conducted according to certain conditions. These were developed by Thomas Aquinas (c1225-74) and are still referred to by Christians today.

The theory is not intended to justify all wars but to

prevent them by showing that going to war - except in certain limited circumstances - is wrong. The intention

was to motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflicts, prevent war and to limit its effects.

Some conditions of a Just War are:

it must be fought by a legal recognised authority, eg, a governmentthe war must be fought with the intention to establish good or correct evilthe war must be the last resort (after all diplomatic negotiations have been tried and failed)civilians must not be involved or targeted

Christianity and war

Jesus is often described as a pacifist. He taught:

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the

children of God”.Matthew 5.9

Most Christians believe that war and fighting are wrong except in the most

severe cases and they base their views on Jesus’ teaching about love:“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”.

John 13:34

Necessary EvilMost Christian believe we had a duty

stop the atrocities being committed by Nazi Regime during WWII.

Jesus taught about non-violence but never condemned Roman Soldiers.

POPE BENEDICT XVI – Duty bound to defend Christian values – even if that means using proportional violence.

struggle

ISLAM AND WAR: Lesser Jihad

ATTACK!

JUST SOCIETY

Lesser Jihad (Holy War)

One aim of Holy War may be to create a democracy where people are free to live their lives without beliefs and

politics being imposed on them. There must be no hatred or vengeance in the fighting. As soon as peace is offered,

fighting must stop. Once peace has been restored the differences between people must be resolved.

Muslims may fight in self-defence but are forbidden to begin a fight. The aim of fighting is to create a

situation where Muslims are free to worship Allah and live in peace.

“Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day”. Hadith

Christianity and Bullying “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” If you love someone, you will never do them wrong: to love, the, is to obey the whole law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Made in the image of God!

WE ARE ALL EQUAL!Set up by Christians to help children who lived on the streets during Victorian times. Now it helps children facing discrimination or disadvantage in their daily lives. Aniti- bullying is one area they work on.

Islam and bullyingUMMAH=

The brotherhood of all Muslims, whether male of female. It would be wrong to bully a fellow Muslim.

QUR’ANAllah created every human being and everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. Show respect to ALL of Allah’s creation.

SHOW COMPASSION TO THE WEAK AND FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE!

THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

“Allah will not show mercy to the one who does not show mercy to others”. (Hadith)

Beatbullying: CyberMentors who help people who are victims of cyber bullying.

Religious conflict and the family

Christianity and forgiveness

PARABLES!

The Lost SonThe Sheep and

Goats

THE BIBLE

“Do not take revenge on

someone who wrongs

you...love your enemies and

pray for those who persecute

you”

TRCTruth and

Reconciliation Commission

Desmond Tutu promoted forgiveness in South

Africa – Good Example

Islam and forgiveness

Teachings of the Qur’an

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

DAY OF JUDGEMENT

“Show forgiveness, speak of justice, and avoid the ignorant”.

(Qur’an 7:199)

“Control your anger, then forgive your

brother. Do you not wish to be forgiven?”.

(Prophet Muhammad PBUH)

If a Muslim wrongs someone they are taught to:Ask forgiveness from AllahAsk forgiveness from the person themselves.