Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict

Theme D examines how religious and non-religious people understand war, violence, terrorism and peacemaking.

Causes of war

Wars are fought for many reasons: self-defence, to protect others, retaliation, greed, nationalism, religious difference, ideology. Religious traditions generally see war as a tragic necessity at best — never something to be desired.

The Just War Theory

Developed by Augustine and Aquinas; refined in modern international law. For a war to be just, ALL conditions must be met:

1. Fought by a legitimate authority (e.g. a recognised government)
2. Just cause (e.g. self-defence, protecting the innocent)
3. Right intention (not conquest or revenge)
4. Last resort (all peaceful alternatives exhausted)
5. Reasonable chance of success
6. Proportional means (violence no more than necessary)

The Catholic Church, Anglican Church and most mainstream Protestant denominations accept Just War theory as a framework for evaluating wars.

Pacifism

The belief that violence and war are always wrong. Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) are absolute pacifists — no war is ever justified. Martin Luther King Jr used non-violent resistance (inspired by Gandhi). Pacifism is grounded in: the sanctity of life; Jesus' teaching on loving enemies (Matthew 5:44); "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9).

Terrorism

The use of violence and fear against civilians to achieve political/religious ends. All major world religions officially condemn terrorism. Islam explicitly forbids the killing of civilians: Qur'an 5:32 — "Whoever kills a soul... it is as if he had slain mankind entirely." Terrorism is a perversion of religious teaching, not a product of it.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)

Nuclear, biological and chemical weapons cause indiscriminate mass casualties — incompatible with Just War proportionality. Most religious traditions oppose WMDs. Nuclear deterrence (the idea that possessing nuclear weapons prevents their use) is debated.

Peacemaking

Active peacemaking (not just absence of war). International organisations (UN), reconciliation movements (e.g. Corrymeela, Northern Ireland), interfaith dialogue. Christian Aid, Muslim charities and Jewish organisations all work for peace and justice.

Exam focus

• Know all six Just War criteria — common exam question
• Apply pacifism to a scenario (e.g. if asked "should Christians always refuse to fight?")
• Distinguish religious and non-religious pacifism