WarWar

IntroductionIntroduction““Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, Of all the enemies to public liberty war is,

perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes … known these proceed debts and taxes … known instruments for bringing the many under instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.… the domination of the few.…

No nation could preserve its freedom in the No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” midst of continual warfare.” James Madison, Political Observations, 1795James Madison, Political Observations, 1795

  

When is a War Just?When is a War Just?

    For almost 2000 years the question For almost 2000 years the question of when Christians should go to war of when Christians should go to war has been hotly debated. Since the has been hotly debated. Since the taking of human life is so seriously taking of human life is so seriously opposed to Gospel values, warfare opposed to Gospel values, warfare has always presented a serious has always presented a serious moral dilemma. In the Middle Ages moral dilemma. In the Middle Ages St.Thomas Aquinas developed the St.Thomas Aquinas developed the “Just War Theory” not to justify war “Just War Theory” not to justify war but to limit its scope and methods.but to limit its scope and methods.

Just War Theory

The criteria set out for the The criteria set out for the just war include –just war include –

The cause must be just.The cause must be just. It must be undertaken by a legitimate authorityIt must be undertaken by a legitimate authority The intention must be right.The intention must be right. It must be a last resort.It must be a last resort. There must be a declaration of war.There must be a declaration of war. There must be reasonable hope of success.There must be reasonable hope of success. The good that it hopes to achieve must outweigh The good that it hopes to achieve must outweigh

the evil produced (the criteria of proportionality).the evil produced (the criteria of proportionality). Non-Combatants must be immune from attack.Non-Combatants must be immune from attack.

DiscussDiscuss

Based on this criteria discuss the morality of war Based on this criteria discuss the morality of war in Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria.in Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria.

   Pope John Paul II said “Today the horror and scale Pope John Paul II said “Today the horror and scale

of modern warfare makes it totally unacceptable of modern warfare makes it totally unacceptable as a means of settling differences”.as a means of settling differences”.

Do you agree?Do you agree?

Catechism of the Catholic Church on Catechism of the Catholic Church on WarWar

2327 2327 Because of the evils and injustices that all war Because of the evils and injustices that all war brings with it, we must do everything reasonably brings with it, we must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it. The Church prays: "From famine, possible to avoid it. The Church prays: "From famine, pestilence, and war, O Lord, deliver us." pestilence, and war, O Lord, deliver us."

23282328 The Church and human reason assert the The Church and human reason assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflicts. Practices deliberately contrary to the law of conflicts. Practices deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes. nations and to its universal principles are crimes.

23292329 "The arms race is one of the greatest curses on "The arms race is one of the greatest curses on the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is more than can be endured" (more than can be endured" (GS GS 81 § 3). 81 § 3).

23302330 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (called sons of God" (Mt Mt 5:9). 5:9).

War –The Real Cost?War –The Real Cost? In the year 2010 total world military spending came to In the year 2010 total world military spending came to

$1600billion (or $236 for each person on the planet) a 50% $1600billion (or $236 for each person on the planet) a 50% increase in the 10 year period since 2001. increase in the 10 year period since 2001.

Top 5 Sellers of Arms in the Top 5 Sellers of Arms in the WorldWorld

United States United States ChinaChina UKUK FranceFrance RussiaRussia

Military spending is concentrated in Military spending is concentrated in North America, Europe, and North America, Europe, and increasingly, Asia:increasingly, Asia:

Increased spending before and Increased spending before and even during global economic crisiseven during global economic crisis

The global financial and economic crisis The global financial and economic crisis has resulted in many nations cutting has resulted in many nations cutting back on all sorts of public spending back on all sorts of public spending (often against the criticism of targeting (often against the criticism of targeting sectors that were not responsible for sectors that were not responsible for the crisis), and yet military spending the crisis), and yet military spending seems to be increasing. seems to be increasing.

How is that justified?How is that justified?

Spending for peace vs Spending for peace vs spending for warspending for war

““There is a large gap between what There is a large gap between what countries are prepared to allocate for countries are prepared to allocate for military means to provide security and military means to provide security and maintain their global and regional power maintain their global and regional power status, on the one hand, and to alleviate status, on the one hand, and to alleviate poverty and promote economic poverty and promote economic development, on the other.”development, on the other.”

Stockholm International Peace Research InstituteStockholm International Peace Research Institute

The Human Cost of WarThe Human Cost of War Imagine what the conflict in Libya or another country in conflict is Imagine what the conflict in Libya or another country in conflict is

causing for the ordinary people who live in the country. causing for the ordinary people who live in the country. Crops, land and environment are destroyed.Crops, land and environment are destroyed. Destruction of food stores, shops and property.Destruction of food stores, shops and property. Inflation increases dramatically at times of conflict leading to Inflation increases dramatically at times of conflict leading to

poverty for most of the population.poverty for most of the population. People are forced to flee and become refugees or internally People are forced to flee and become refugees or internally

displaced.displaced. Much trade and small business ceases.Much trade and small business ceases. Governments stop spending on social needs and divert funds to Governments stop spending on social needs and divert funds to

military hardware.military hardware. Roads and means of travel are often dangerous.Roads and means of travel are often dangerous. It can be difficult to get access for emergency relief.It can be difficult to get access for emergency relief. Young people are forced to become soldiers.Young people are forced to become soldiers.

  

DiscussDiscuss

What are the long-term impacts for the people of a What are the long-term impacts for the people of a country at war even when the conflict ceases.country at war even when the conflict ceases.

For example: If no crops are planted this year, what will For example: If no crops are planted this year, what will next year hold?next year hold?

   What will the future hold for the many refugees who What will the future hold for the many refugees who

flee the conflict?flee the conflict?

   What are the long-term implications when children are What are the long-term implications when children are

used in war?used in war?

  

  

Imagine if all the military mind Imagine if all the military mind power and money that is being power and money that is being spent on war was spent instead spent on war was spent instead on finding other non-violent on finding other non-violent solutions, what might be solutions, what might be possible?possible?

The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has cost over 1,000 billion dollars.cost over 1,000 billion dollars.

The arms trade is the second biggest trade The arms trade is the second biggest trade in the world (after illegal drugs!).in the world (after illegal drugs!).

In armed conflicts since 1945, 90% of In armed conflicts since 1945, 90% of casualties have been civilians, compared to casualties have been civilians, compared to 50% in the Second World War and 10% in 50% in the Second World War and 10% in the First.the First.

There are 250,000 licensed firearms dealers There are 250,000 licensed firearms dealers in the US alone.in the US alone.

THE U.N.THE U.N.

The U.N. was created after World War II with leading efforts The U.N. was created after World War II with leading efforts by the United States and key allies.by the United States and key allies.

The U.N. was set up to be committed to preserving peace The U.N. was set up to be committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security.through international cooperation and collective security.

Yet, the U.N.’s entire budget is just a tiny fraction of the Yet, the U.N.’s entire budget is just a tiny fraction of the world’s military expenditure, approximately 1.8%world’s military expenditure, approximately 1.8%

While the U.N. is not perfect and has many internal issues While the U.N. is not perfect and has many internal issues that need addressing, it is revealing that the world can that need addressing, it is revealing that the world can spend so much on their military but contribute so little to spend so much on their military but contribute so little to the goals of the goals of globalglobal security, international cooperation and security, international cooperation and peace.peace.

At the current level of spending (for At the current level of spending (for 2010), it would take just a handful of 2010), it would take just a handful of years for the world’s donor countries years for the world’s donor countries to cover their entire aid shortfall, of to cover their entire aid shortfall, of over $4 trillion in promised official over $4 trillion in promised official aid since 1970, more than 40 years aid since 1970, more than 40 years ago.ago.

Unfortunately, however poverty fuels Unfortunately, however poverty fuels violence and defence spending has a violence and defence spending has a tendency to rise during times of tendency to rise during times of economic hardship. economic hardship.

The global financial crisis is The global financial crisis is potentially ushering in enormous potentially ushering in enormous economic hardship around the world.economic hardship around the world.

At a time when a deep economic recession is causing much At a time when a deep economic recession is causing much turbulence in the civilian world … defence giants such as Boeing and turbulence in the civilian world … defence giants such as Boeing and EADS, or Finmeccanica and Northrop Grumman, are enjoying a EADS, or Finmeccanica and Northrop Grumman, are enjoying a reliable and growing revenue stream from countries eager to reliable and growing revenue stream from countries eager to increase their military might.increase their military might.

Both geopolitical hostilities and domestic violence tend to flare up Both geopolitical hostilities and domestic violence tend to flare up during downturns.during downturns.

Shareholders and employees in the aerospace and defence industry Shareholders and employees in the aerospace and defence industry are clearly the ones who benefit most from growing defense are clearly the ones who benefit most from growing defense spending.spending.

Defence companies, whose main task is to aid governments’ efforts Defence companies, whose main task is to aid governments’ efforts to defend or acquire territory, routinely highlight their capacity to to defend or acquire territory, routinely highlight their capacity to contribute to economic growth and to provide employment.contribute to economic growth and to provide employment.

Military might delivers geopolitical supremacy, but peace delivers Military might delivers geopolitical supremacy, but peace delivers economic prosperity and stability.economic prosperity and stability.

— — Jorn Madslien, The purchasing power of peace , BBC, June 3, 2009Jorn Madslien, The purchasing power of peace , BBC, June 3, 2009

War versus PovertyWar versus PovertyThe $1600 billion spent in the year 2011 on the arms The $1600 billion spent in the year 2011 on the arms industry could have tackled some of the greatest needs industry could have tackled some of the greatest needs of our world.of our world.Providing basic health care to those currently without - Providing basic health care to those currently without - $20 billion per annum.$20 billion per annum.Providing shelter to those without it - $21 billion per Providing shelter to those without it - $21 billion per annum.annum.Provide literacy for all - $5 billion per annum.Provide literacy for all - $5 billion per annum.Eliminate starvation and malnourishment - $25 billion Eliminate starvation and malnourishment - $25 billion per annum.per annum.Provide safe clean water for all - $50 billion per annum.Provide safe clean water for all - $50 billion per annum.

Total cost - $129 billion per annum.Total cost - $129 billion per annum.

  

DiscussDiscuss

Are these figures surprising or shocking?Are these figures surprising or shocking?

Who makes the choices here?Who makes the choices here?

Why do we spend more on war than on Why do we spend more on war than on peace?peace?

What does this say about the world that What does this say about the world that we live in?we live in?

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR PEACEPEACE

  

Lead us from death to life,Lead us from death to life,

From falsehood to truth.From falsehood to truth.

Lead us from despair to hope,Lead us from despair to hope,

From fear to trust.From fear to trust.

Lead us from hate to love,Lead us from hate to love,

From war to peace.From war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts,Let peace fill our hearts,

Our world, our universe.Our world, our universe.

Let us dream together,Let us dream together,

Pray together,Pray together,

Work together,Work together,

To build one worldTo build one world

Of peace and justiceOf peace and justice

for all.for all.

Deep peace of the running wave to you;Deep peace of the running wave to you;

Deep peace of the flowing air to you;Deep peace of the flowing air to you;

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you;Deep peace of the quiet earth to you;

Deep peace of the shining stars to you;Deep peace of the shining stars to you;

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.  Celtic blessing, Celebrating Together (Corrymeela Press 1987)Celtic blessing, Celebrating Together (Corrymeela Press 1987)

Goodness is stronger than Goodness is stronger than evil,evil,

Love is stronger than Love is stronger than hate,hate,

Light is stronger than Light is stronger than darkness,darkness,

Life is stronger than Life is stronger than death.death. Desmond Desmond

Tutu.Tutu.

ChaosChaos The state of our world demands the question: Is God really in control? Look

around. There is war, rioting, destruction, and brokenness. So much has gone wrong, and things seem to be getting worse, not better. How can a good God

allow all of this pain? While the evil of the world causes some to question the existence or

character of God, C.S. Lewis argued that it ought to show us that mankind is on the wrong path and in need of a redeeming God.

Watch the video CHAOS on Igniter Media:

http://www.ignitermedia.com/mini-movies/21/Chaos