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Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict. Religious beliefs about justice. Buddhism
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Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
Religious beliefs about justice Buddhism Buddhists believe in prevention and solving a conflict (a pacifist approach.) However, out of compassion, right speech and right action injustice must be challenged. This is important because war doesn’t always bring peace and in the modern world there is the threat of nuclear war/terrorism. Justice is to understand the issues, respond with compassion and knowing that violence leads to retaliation. Buddhists will not fight for anything other than justice. Christianity Christians will fight for justice under the terms of the just war theory, which is that war should be fought with justice too. The cause for war, weapons used, the treatment of captured soldiers are all considered and thought about how they should all be just. Whilst God wants peace for everyone, he also wants justice and freedom for all humans. War does go against Jesus’ teachings but is necessary for the greater good.
Religious views on violence Buddhism Buddhism does not believe in any sort of violence and any protest should be non-violent. Protests have taken place and speaking about injustice can be considered right speech and right action. Trying to change injustice is seen as a compassionate act. The Dalai Lama said peace can only happen with mutual respect. However, there have been cases of Buddhists have used violence in protests. An example of this is against the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the incident of the monk, ThichQuangDuc, who was a monk who set himself on fire to protest during the Vietnam war. Christianity Christianity teaches non-violence, as Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers” and told his followers to “Turn the other cheek” when presented with violence. Christians are also told to “Love their neighbour” which means everyone, even their enemies. However, they also understand that God gave humans free will and choice so sometimes non-violent protest is ignored, so violence may be used to force change for the common good.
Religious ideas about forgiveness • “Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else- you are the one who gets burned.”- Buddha • “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”- Gandhi • “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”- C.S. Lewis
Religious teachings, Beliefs and attitudes about terrorism Terrorism is an act of violence which is intended to create fear. A terrorist is anyone who plans or commits the act. In the modern world there have been many acts of terrorism such as the Al Qaeda’s attacks on the World Trade Centre Twin Towers (11th September 2001) and the London Underground (7th July 2005) are just two of the many attacks. There have been other kinds of attacks such as on the internet, and against government and businesses (Charlie Hebdo in Paris in 2015) and also attacks against members of the public e.g. London Westminster attacks. Why do terrorists carry out attacks? • They are fighting against injustice, because they feel something is unfair or their rights have been denied. • They are fighting against poverty • They fight for their religious beliefs and usually think their religious beliefs are being denied. There have been many examples where people have been considered terrorists but later seen as a legitimate leader such as Martin McGuiness in Northern Ireland and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. It has been said, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”
Religious attitudes to war and peace • Buddhism • Buddhism, war and peace • Buddhism is a religion of peace. Buddhist countries do have armies but they are used for defence. • Buddhism teaches: • The First Precept- Do not harm any living being. • The Noble Eightfold Path- for example, Right Action (doing the right action) and Right Awareness (being aware of what is right.) • The Dhammapada states “Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases by love” and “He should not kill a living being, nor cause it to be killed, nor incite another to kill.” • Peace is possible if everyone respects all others- Dalai Lama. • The message of Buddhism is one of peace, not war. Buddhists believe their actions have consequences that can affect their rebirth. Buddhists believe all peaceful means must be tried, because war can lead to greater problems than it solves. War is often a result of the 3 Poisons (Greed, Ignorance, Hatred.) The Dalai Lama himself won the Noble Peace Prize in 1992 for his peaceful actions.
Religious attitudes to war and peace • Christianity • Christianity, war and peace • The teachings of Christianity are peaceful. Jesus taught a message of love therefore, Christianity has a strong pacifism tradition. However, many Christians understand there are certain circumstances when it is necessary to fight but will only fight in a just war. No Christian denomination supports the use of nuclear weapons. • Christianity teaches: • Blessed are the peacemakers- Jesus (Sermon on the Mount) • Love your enemies and pray for them- Jesus (Sermon on the Mount) • Put away your sword. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword- Jesus (Matthew 26:52) • Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you- Jesus (John 14:27) • Quakers are a group of Christians totally against violence and are Pacifists. However, Christians might support war if war is justified or a last resort.
Pacifist- believing all war and killing is wrong. Holy war- believing it is right to fight a war in the name of God. Just war- believing it is right to fight a war in the interests of justice and the greater good.
Christian views on wars Holy war In the Old Testament there are many examples of holy wars fought in the name of God. Many believed God was on their side and he had influence over battles. The Crusades (1095-1291) were fought to capture the Holy Land. The Christian soldiers believed God was on their side and the Muslim Turks they were fighting against were enemies of God. Their aim was to convert Muslims to Christianity. Just war It is impossible to conceive of a just war in a nuclear age.- Pope John XXIII St Paul said that Christians should obey their rulers, who had been given power by God. St Augustine came up with a list of rules to allow a just war and St Thomas Aquinas added to these rules.
Christian just war criteria • War must be started and controlled by a proper authority such as a government. • There must be a just cause for war, it must not be retaliation. • The war must have a clear aim to promote good and overcome evil. • War must be a last resort, every effort must have been made to resolve it peacefully. • There must be a reasonable chance of success, it would be wrong to risk lives. • The war must be led fairly. Only reasonable force should be used and the risk to civilians minimised. • There must be a good outcome and peace restored.
Muslim views on holy wars “Fight in the cause of Allah” Qu’ran. Lesser jihad also means holy war. In a disagreement with a nation, if talking fails to solve the problem, then war becomes a religious duty for Muslims. Holy war For Muslims a holy war is a just war. There are rules for how Muslims should fight a war. These are in the Qu’ran, and were written in more detail by one of the caliphs (rulers.) A jihad may only be fought as a last resort and must never be against another Muslim nation.
Muslim views on holy wars Who fights in a holy war? • Muslims have a duty to join the army and fight, if a just leader begins the war. • Not at all Muslims have to fight. Muhammed said some men should stay behind and protect the people and villages. • Soldiers on the battlefield must fight and fleeing is wrong. • If a town is attacked, everyone (men, women and children) has to fight back. How is the war fought? • Prisoners of war should be treated well. Money collected for Zakat (charity) can be used to pay for food for them. • It may only begin when the enemy attacks and it ends when the enemy shows they want peace. • Civilians must not be harmed, attacked or mistreated. • Crops should be left alone. • Holy buildings should not be damaged. 3. How does the war end? • When people regain their rights. • When the enemy calls for peace.
Helping victims of war There are many organisations that help victims of war. Christians Peacemakers Team (www.cpt.org) =- was founded in 1984 by three historic peace Churches, Mennonite, Church of Brethren and Quaker, though now has support of other denominations. They sent small teams to work on peace-making in conflict zones trying to solve conflict by peaceful means, and bring aid and support to victims of war. Quakers are pacifists. The Buddhist Peace Fellowship (www.buddhistpeacefellowship.org ) – was founded in 1978 and works by applying Buddhist teachings to resolve. It speaks publically to raise awareness of issues, tries to strengthen leadership in the areas where there are issues, and act with other groups to make change happen.
Religious views on weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons Most religious people disagree with weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and many have joined protests against these. There are several types of these weapons: • Biological warfare- Also known as germ warfare, uses living disease-causing bacterium or viruses to make people ill. • Chemical warfare- uses non-living toxins such as nerve agents and mustard gas to injure, debilitate or kill people. • Nuclear weapons- or atomic bombs. They cause immediate destruction of all life. • Radiological weapons- also known as “dirty bombs” are weapons that use conventional explosives that can disperse radioactive material. As well as killing people, they can contaminate an area. Religious attitudes Nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction are unacceptable. No religion agrees with their use. Religious people believe in the sanctity of life and that all life is precious. Some religious believers accept the existence of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. They can stop people from attacking countries without using them.
Religious attitudes to Peace and pacifism Pacifists believe that all violence is wrong. They will not participate in any war, regardless of the reasons for that war. Conscientious objectors are people who refuse to participate directly in fighting wars on the grounds of conscience. However, they will assist in non-military ways such as medics, relief work and mediators. Instead their role is to keep the peace. The Quakers This is a pacifist group in Christianity. They follow Jesus' pacifist. Their Peace Testimony makes clear they will not use violence under any circumstances. They reject all violence. They totally oppose all wars and strife. During wars, they will play peacekeeping roles. They also do non-combat work such as training to be, and acting as medics for any side, and doing work with refugees. Dietrich Bonhoeffer He was a Christian living in Germany during the rise of the Nazis. Despite being a pacifist, he knew he had to sacrifice his beliefs in order to prevent the rise to power of Adolf Hitler. He became part of a plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was eventually arrested and executed for treason by the Nazis. Gandhi Gandhi used a policy of non-violence. His belief in the Hindu concept of ahimsa (non-violence) through actions such as protest, marches, speeches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
Religious attitudes to Peace and pacifism The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists. He is recognised around the world as a symbol of peace. When the Chinese invaded his country (Tibet) he was forced into exile. He said that hatred and violence only leads to more hatred and violence. Buddhist monks in Tibet have maintained peaceful protests against Chinese rule despite being subjected to violence. The belief is peace can only be considered when everyone acts peacefully. The Golden Rule Christianity- “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.”- Jesus Buddhism- “I will act towards others exactly as I would towards myself.” – Udana-varqa
