Religion, Peace and Justice

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Topic 10

• Religion, Peace and Justice

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Conflict and War - Issues
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Just War

• Some Christians may agree with War if they think
  it is necessary and is for a good reason.
• Stories in the Old Testament about the Jews
  fighting with Gods support.
• Thomas Aquinas developed Conditions for a war to
  be Just

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Conditions of Just War

• The war must be started by the proper authority
  i.e. Government.
• The reason for going to war must be just or good,
  it must not be for greed or revenge. It must
  attempt to make the world a better place.
• Everything should be done to bring about good and
  restore peace.
• The war must be the last resort, peaceful means
  should be tried first.
• The force used should be just enough to win and
  should avoid killing innocent people.

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Putting beliefs on Just War into practice

• A Christian may join the Army etc.
• May agree to fight
• Become an Army Chaplain
• Do medical or relief work in time of war.
• Pray for victims of war.
• Help victims of War.

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Peace and Pacifism Christian Beliefs

• War is wrong
• War means taking life life is Sacred.
• War makes things worse.
• Jesus taught people to forgive others.

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Putting beliefs into practice Peace and
Pacifism.

• A Christian might be a PACIFIST Someone who
  believes war and violence are always wrong. They
  prefer to find peaceful ways of solving dispute.
• QUAKERS a Christian denomination famous for
  being pacifists and refusing to fight during
  times of war.
• CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS a pacifist of any faith
  may refuse to fight in a war.

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• A pacifist may do alternative work during time of
  war e.g. Medical
• Non-Violent Protest
• Vote for MPs opposed to War.
• Campaign against war.
• Help victims of war e.g. Charity

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Crime

• Different Types of Crime
• Stealing
• Murder (Planned)
• Manslaughter
• Rape
• Drug Dealing
• Terrorism
• Perverting the course of justice.

• How People should be punished
• Prison Sentence
• Death Penalty
• Amputation
• Probation
• Rehabilitation
• Community Service
• Caution
• Tagging
• Anti-Social Behavioural Order (ASBO)

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• Treatment of Criminals
• Fairly
• Get what they deserve
• Support them
• Educate them

• Why people commit crime
• Fund a habit Drugs
• Revenge
• Self-Defence
• Peer Pressure
• Have mental problems

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Purpose of Punishment

• DETERRENCE warns people what might happen if
  they commit the crime.
• PROTECTION protect society from the criminal.
• RETRIBUTION a way for criminals to be paid back
  for what they have done.
• REFORMATION criminal thinks about what they
  have done and hopefully changes behaviour.

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Christian views on Crime

• Jesus taught about forgiveness. People should be
  punished but will be forgiven.
• Jesus taught people to look at their own faults
  before judge and condemn others.
• Christians believe criminals should be punished
  and agree with the 4 aims of punishment.
• Criminals must repent (say sorry) before they can
  be forgiven.

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Capital Punishment Christian Views

• Against
• Only God can take life.
• Life is Sacred.
• It makes us as bad as the criminal.
• The criminal doesnt get a chance to repent or
  change.
• Could be innocent.

• For
• The crime may be serious like murder or
  terrorism.
• Protects society and warns others.
• The criminal can never re-offend.
• OT Eye for an Eye

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Beliefs in Practice

• Christians would want punishment to be fair and
  humane.
• Decent living conditions.
• Help given to prisoners to stop them
  re-offending.
• Christians may campaign or protest against
  capital punishment.
• Elizabeth Fry Quaker Worked to improve
  conditions for prisoners.

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Social Injustice

• Social Injustice is when certain members of
  society are given fewer rights and privileges
  than others.

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Christian Views about Injustice

• All people were created by God.
• All people deserve Human Rights.
• All People should be treated equally.
• Prophets in the OT spoke out against Injustice.
• Jesus taught people to Share their Wealth
• Bible teachings to support treating people
  equally.

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Beliefs into Action

• Join organisations which promote equality.
• Work for Citizens Advice Bureau.
• Work in their local community.
• Do Voluntary work e.g. for disabled.
• Work for Amnesty International
• Visit Local Prisons

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Liberation Theology

• A Christian Movement which tries to put beliefs
  about justice into action. In countries where
  people are oppressed and where people are
  kidnapped, tortured and imprisoned, some
  Christians believe they have a duty to speak out
  about injustice and change things.
• Examples Martin Luther King (Treatment of Black
  people in USA), Desmond Tutu (Treatment of Black
  South Africans during Apartheid), Oscar Romero
  (Treatment of Poor people of El Salvador).