Today

1
Todays Checklist

• Take up Darfur Now
• Peace and violence continued
• Just War Theory Introduction

2
Violencelove/hate

• Where do you see a fascination with or interest
  in violence?
• Fans love violence

3
Violence what is it?

• Violence refers to harming or destroying the
  well-being or existence of a person, group or
  community. The harm is not restricted to physical
  action it can also be spiritual or
  psychological. Violence touches every level of
  human relationships, from the personal to the
  global, including our treatment of the earth.
• ? Write this down

4
What is a just war?
Is it permissible to fight for the Righteous?
By what criteria do they judge a war?
Who decides when war is justified?
Is war about justice or destruction?
Can good come from evil?
Why does God suffer death and destruction in His
name?
Does God bless conflict?
5
Just War Theory

• St. Augustine, a 4th Century Doctor of the
  Church, set the bar very high. War should be the
  last, not first resort of nations. Many of his
  views are said to have influenced Thomas Aquinas,
  whose writings on the subject have come to be
  known as the "Just War Theory." As the Coalition
  powers continue their war of attrition with
  insurgents in Iraq, the Catholic Church and other
  religious denominations are expressing strong
  reservations on the morality of these actions.

6
Just War Theory

• theory from Doctors of the Church
• St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas
• theory set out by Aquinas to make war and human
  dignity in war moral necessities

7
Wars throughout history

• For centuries, different religions, cultures and
  countries have waged war for a variety of
  reasons

money
hatred
revenge
power
In the name of God
8
List as many virtuous reasons to start a war as
possible.
9
Just Cause force may be used only to correct a
grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive
violation of the basic rights of whole
populations
Blessed be the Lord my strength, my rock, who
trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
Psalm 1441
Operation Overlord beginsJune 6, 1944. The
Allies fight to reclaim France from Nazi Germany.
10
A class poll

• How many agree or disagree with the following
  statement?
• Direct annihilation of the enemys forces must
  always be the dominant consideration.
• Karl Von Klausewitz, 19th Century Philosopher

11

• Proportionality all subsequent conflict must be
  proportional to the original damage inflicted
  i.e. torture cannot be used in a war, nor nuclear
  weapons. Also, only enemy combatants should be
  fired upon. Civilians should not be harmed in
  any way.

12
Probability of Success Arms may not be used in a
futile cause or in a case where disproportionate
measures are required to achieve success. War is
acceptable only when there is a strong chance of
imminent victory and minimal casualties.
13
A militia group in Nepal dispatches with a rival
faction. The group acts as judge, jury and
executioner.
White supremacists express their admiration for
Hitler and declare a war of racial purification.
14
At the turn of the 20th Century, a lynch mob
prepares to dispense justice
The grim result of vigilante justice
15
In Los Angeles the Crips and the Bloods battle
for territory and supremacy. Hundreds die each
year.
16
Legitimate Authority Only a duly constituted
public authority i.e. a nations military or
reserve units, may use deadly force or wage war.
No vigilante or militia groups are morally
justified to fight private wars.
17
Last Resort War is only acceptable when all
other peaceful means have been exhausted i.e.
diplomacy, sanctions, referenda
18
It is easier to make war than to make
peace. Georges Clemenceau
Diplomacycountries meet in a neutral location
i.e. UN headquarters, and attempt to solve
conflict peacefully
Trade embargo/economic sanctionsa group of
countries withhold vital goods and services to
force the offending country to comply with the
general will.
What could a country or coalition do before
engaging in combat?
19
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day,
that my child may have peace.
Thomas Paine
Peace I leave with you my peace I give to
you.Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do
not let them be afraid. John 1427
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be
called children of God. Matthew 59
Perhaps, in time, humanity will grow beyond its
infancy and realize a lasting peace. Until then,
the fighting will continue.
20
Choose any three questions and write 3-4 sentence
responses for each.
1. Is it permissable to fight for a righteous
cause?
2. Can good come from evil?
3. Who decides when war is justified?
4. By what criteria is a war judged?
5. Does God bless conflict?
6. Why does God suffer death and destruction in
His name?
7. Is war about justice or destruction?
8. Is the use of torture in war a necessary evil?
9. Should a war be fought if there is no hope of
victory?
10. Is a war that lasts many years, with
thousands of casualties, a success?
21
Countering injustice

• The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
• Reflect upon the prayer
• What is St. Francis response to injustice?
• Writing your own prayer for peace

22
Journal entry

• Write a journal entry (not to be handed in)are
  you at peace with yourself, others, friends,
  family, or other groups of people.
• What steps would you use in order to create a
  climate of peace in their particular situation?