Explain Just War Theory (6 marks)

1. Lawful authority – must be declared by the government of a country

2. Just cause – defence/ right intention – once the just cause has been achieved, hostilities should cease

3. Last resort – only to be engaged in after every alternative been exhausted

4. Leads to genuinely better future5. Possibility of success – terrible waste

otherwise 6. Right means – innocent civilians to be

excluded - proportionality – no excessive use of force.

Why are some Christians PACIFISTS? (3 marks) Explain why some Christians are ALWAYS OPPOSED to War (6 marks)

1. 10 Commandments (Exodus 20) – thou shalt not kill2. Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5)3. Jesus said “Those who live by the sword will die by the

sword” (Matthew 26) when one of his disciples used violence when Jesus was arrested – violence makes things worse

4. Jesus said “love your enemies “ and “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5)

5. War damages people and environment = causes long term suffering

6. Martin Luther King was a Pacifist – he said only love drives out hate

7. All human life created by God – it is sacred

Christian Ethics: 18th May 2015: War and Christianity

These notes contain the key facts you need to know plus all past paper questions and model answers in a clear lay out

What is pacifism? (2) Total opposition to war and any other type of violence.

Explain two reasons why a country might become involved in a war. (4)

1. Self-defence 2. Defence of another country that has been

invaded 3. Intervention to remove oppressive regime 4. Desire for power, territory or resources 5. Religious or political ideology 6. Revenge for something done in the past.

‘Christians should never fight.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christian arguments in your answer. (6)

For the question statement Against the question statement Violence encourages more violence Love your enemy – Jesus He who lives by the sword dies by the sword –

Jesus Example of Martin Luther King

Some leaders evil – force needed eg Hitler Just War Governments given power by God to act

‘Nuclear war is always wrong.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christianity in your answer. (6)

For the question statement Against the question statement Against Sanctity of Life Horrific long term effects on people and environment Ruins God’s creation Does not show Jesus’ teaching to love neighbour/enemy Does not lead to better future Pacifism Do not kill – 10 Commandments – Exodus 20 Against Just War - harms innocent

May shorten war eg WW2 otherwise drags on for years

Deterrence Precision bombing – damage

restricted? Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought war

to end An eye of an eye

Explain briefly why some people might agree with nuclear weapons (3 ) Explain why some Christians think Nuclear War is wrong (3)

See arguments above

‘Acts of terrorism can never be justified.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christianity in your answer. (6)

For question statement Other views from exam board mark scheme Illegal Against Sanctity of Life Against Just War - kills innocent (indiscriminate) Creates fear / hatred/ racism Against Jesus’ teaching to love neighbour and

enemy Against 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 – thou

shalt not kill Two wrongs don’t make a right Does not achieve justice

Last resort of desperate and oppressed people Attention seeking Believe they are martyrs / freedom fighters

Christians should never agree with Terrorism. What do you think/ Explain your opinion? (3)

See argumenta above

.

Terrorists use violence, fear or threat of violence for political or religious purposes

Islam Ethics: 2md June 2015: War and Islam

These notes contain the key facts you need to know plus all past paper questions and model answers in a clear lay out

Explain briefly what is meant by the greater jihad. (2) Explain briefly what is meant by the lesser jihad. (2) Describe Muslim beliefs about jihad. Refer to greater and lesser jihad in your answer.(6)

GREATER JIHAD LESSER JIHADJihad = striving / struggle. GREATER = Struggle to follow “The Straight Path” of Islam and not sin. Keep 5 Pillars of faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage

Fighting a war for Allah to defend Islam, against evil oppressor and restore peace and freedom Conditions are

1. If diplomacy fails2. If peace treaty broken3. If Islam needs defended - Muslims cannot be aggressor4. If oppressive rulers need removed5. If it is called by a proper spiritual ruler6. Holy buildings, POWs and animals as well as environment must be respected7. Peace restored when enemy wants it

Muslims can be pacifists.’ What do you think? Explain your opinion. (3)

Pacifism is the way of peace and non-violence Islam is committed to peace - means peace – “Allah doth call us to the home of peace” (Qur’an 10:25) Muslims cannot be aggressors according to the rules of lesser Jihad Muhammad used peace when persecuted BUT. Muslims have a duty to oppose evil and to fight if necessary to remove evil or in self defence

‘ It is good to be a pacifist.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer. (6)

For the question statement Against the question statement Islam is a religion of peace Wars destroy God’s creation / people Non violence achieves more Non violence requires courage War only last resort in Islam

Sometimes right to fight – self defence / oppose evil

Not peace at all costs Bring about Justice Lesser Jihad Requires courage

What is Disarmament(2)

Giving up or reducing weapons Disband army Renounce war Can be unilateral (one country) or

multilateral (more than one country)

Explain briefly why some Muslims support disarmament. (2)

Promotes peace – Islam means peace Stops fear Reduces nuclear threat Money spent on other things eg poor Violence wrong

Explain Muslim teaching on reconciliation.(4)

1. Qur’an – do not return evil for evil 2. all should be treated equally 3. revenge is wrong - forgiveness 4. Qur’an 49.9: ‘If two parties of believers take up arms

... make peace between them.’ 5. Qur’an 3.134: ‘Paradise is for ... those who curb their

anger and forgive their fellow men 6. Muslim greeting - peace be unto you. 7. War must end if enemy wants peace 8. Muhammad (peace be upon him) made peace with

enemies 9. “Hate your enemy mildly, one day he may become

thy friend and intimate” (Hadith)

‘ The use of nuclear weapons can never be right.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer. (6)

Nuclear war can never be right.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer. (6)

Muslims should not support a government which has nuclear weapons.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6)

Agree with the question statement Disagreement with the question statement

Against Lesser Jihad – should be targeted at aggressors

Harm innocent people – indiscriminate Harms environment - Muslims stewards Human life sacred Islam means peace Governments should not threaten each other

Muslims must oppose evil Qur’an –force to defend self/ Islam Lesser Jihad – strict rules for war May prevent greater conflict Deterrent - keeps peace Brings on Final Judgement says exam board mark

scheme Responsibility to defend people

Explain why Muslims believe terrorism is evil. (3)

Islam means peace Qur’an against wanton violence harming innocent Against Lesser Jihad “Let there be no force in religion” (Qur’an 2.256) • “Do not take life which Allah hath made sacred” (Qur’an 17.33) • “Do not kill yourself” (Qur’an 4.29)

‘When Muslims protest, they should not use violence.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer.(6)

Agree with question statement Disagree with the question statement Muslims must show respect Muslims must obey Law Islam means peace Non violence more effective Jihad of the tongue preferred over jihad of the sword Violence leads to more violence Lesser Jihad = strict rules Attacking innocent people NEVER justified

Qur’an – violence for self defence Frustration Other methods failed