RELIGION, WAR AND PEACE Samee & Joe

KEY TERMS War – armed conflict between two or more sides War – armed conflict between two or more sides Peace – living in harmony with each other Peace – living in harmony with each other Justice and fairness – everyone is equal and deserves fair treatment Justice and fairness – everyone is equal and deserves fair treatment Sanctity of life – all life is valuable, needs to be cherished Sanctity of life – all life is valuable, needs to be cherished Pacifism – the belief that violence is always wrong Pacifism – the belief that violence is always wrong Holy war – believing its right to fight a war in the name of God Holy war – believing its right to fight a war in the name of God Just war – believing its right to fight a war in the name of justice Just war – believing its right to fight a war in the name of justice Terrorism- Act of violence to create fear Terrorism- Act of violence to create fear

ST THOMAS AQUINAS 1.War must be started and controlled by a proper authority 2.There must be a just cause for the war 3. War must have a clear aim to promote good, defeat evil 4.War must be a last resort 5.It must be winnable 6.The war must be conducted fairly 7.There must be a good outcome with peace restored Aquinas was a catholic philosopher who felt that war could be conducted fairly, provided his rules for a “Just War” were met KEY ISSUE: With today’s advanced weaponry, can we have a just war?

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION Nuclear, Biological, radiological and chemical weapons Nuclear, Biological, radiological and chemical weapons These weapons are unacceptable as they are too unpredictable and dangerous These weapons are unacceptable as they are too unpredictable and dangerous Wars should be fought to gain justice – this cannot happen if civilians are killed Wars should be fought to gain justice – this cannot happen if civilians are killed With WMD’s mutually assured destruction is inevitable if one is used With WMD’s mutually assured destruction is inevitable if one is used WMD’s can be used as a deterrent to stop wars instead of start them WMD’s can be used as a deterrent to stop wars instead of start them Nuclear disarmament – unilateral and multilateral. In unilateral one country disarms first, but in multilateral all countries do it simultaneously Nuclear disarmament – unilateral and multilateral. In unilateral one country disarms first, but in multilateral all countries do it simultaneously

RED CROSS & CRESCENT Set up by Henry Dunant in 1859 to “relieve pain and suffering for all people affected by conflict.” Set up by Henry Dunant in 1859 to “relieve pain and suffering for all people affected by conflict.” The organisation offers impartial aid to all people affected by conflict – help victims of war (refugees, maimed people, etc.) The organisation offers impartial aid to all people affected by conflict – help victims of war (refugees, maimed people, etc.)

BUDDHISM The first precept – refrain from harming people The first precept – refrain from harming people "Hatred does not cease by hatred it ceases by love" (Dhammapada) "Hatred does not cease by hatred it ceases by love" (Dhammapada) "Peace can exist if everyone respects others" (Dalai Lama) "Peace can exist if everyone respects others" (Dalai Lama)

CHRISTIANITY “Put away your sword. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword” (Jesus) “Put away your sword. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword” (Jesus) "Peace. I leave with you, my peace I give to you" (Jesus) "Peace. I leave with you, my peace I give to you" (Jesus) "Everyone must commit themselves to peace" (Pope John Paul II) "Everyone must commit themselves to peace" (Pope John Paul II)

HINDUISM "If you do not fight in this just war, you will neglect your duty, harm your reputation and commit the sin of omission" (Bhagavad Gita) "If you do not fight in this just war, you will neglect your duty, harm your reputation and commit the sin of omission" (Bhagavad Gita) Even an enemy must be offered appropriate hospitality if he comes to your home Even an enemy must be offered appropriate hospitality if he comes to your home The pursuit of truth does not permit violence being inflicted on one’s opponent The pursuit of truth does not permit violence being inflicted on one’s opponent

JUDAISM The Jewish greeting is shalom, meaning peace The Jewish greeting is shalom, meaning peace “The sword comes to the world because of the delay of justice through injustice” “The sword comes to the world because of the delay of justice through injustice” “Get ready for war. Call out your best warriors. Let your fighting men ready for the attack” “Get ready for war. Call out your best warriors. Let your fighting men ready for the attack”

SIKHISM The Sikh Khanda carries two swords, and Sikhs wear their kirpan showing a willingness to fight when necessary The Sikh Khanda carries two swords, and Sikhs wear their kirpan showing a willingness to fight when necessary Peace is believed to come from God Peace is believed to come from God The lord is the heaven of peace The lord is the heaven of peace

ISLAM Greet other salaam alaikum which means peace be upon you Greet other salaam alaikum which means peace be upon you Greater jihad is every Muslims personal struggle to follow Allah; the lesser jihad is Holy war in defence of Islam Greater jihad is every Muslims personal struggle to follow Allah; the lesser jihad is Holy war in defence of Islam Hate your enemy mildly as one day he will become your friend Hate your enemy mildly as one day he will become your friend

PERSPECTIVE Sometimes it is hard to tell who is on the right side, what if they both think they are doing the right and moral thing? Who is in the right and who is in the wrong? Sometimes it is hard to tell who is on the right side, what if they both think they are doing the right and moral thing? Who is in the right and who is in the wrong? Even terrorism can be seen this way; one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. Even terrorism can be seen this way; one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.