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War and Peace
Matthew 5:38-39
Christian
Pacifism
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye,
tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist and
evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Jesus’ teaching was revolutionary. Christians
should go against their natural instinct and react
with love instead of hate.
Matthew 5:9
Christian
Pacifism
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be
called Sons of God.”
A peacemaker actively works toward peace.
Whether it's to provide peace between two
people or two nations. Those who assist in such
efforts will find joy in the experience of seeing
people reconciled to one another and to God.
Origen, third century CE
Christian
Pacifism
For we no longer take sword against a nation,
nor do we learn any more to make war, having
become sons of peace for the sake of Jesus who
is our leader.
Christians should follow Jesus’ example.
Matthew 26: 52
Christian
Pacifism
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to
him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the
sword.”
Even when soldiers came to arrest Jesus, he told
his disciples not to fight.
Matthew 26:52
Christian
Pacifism
Jesus did not resist arrest and allowed himself to
be crucified for love of the human race.
Christians should follow Jesus’ example.
Early Christians
Christian
Pacifism
Early Christians practised non-violence and
would not take revenge even on their
persecutors.
Jesus taught his followers to live and work for
peace.
Christian
Sanctity of life
Pacifism
Sanctity of life: life is sacred because it is Godgiven.
The idea that all life is precious and should not
be destroyed, is the basis for religious attitudes
towards war and peace. If life is God-given and
sacred, and it is not up to humans to take it
away, how can religious believers justify killing
people in a war?
Christian
Which denominations?
Pacifism
Quakers – believe that every person carries the
inner light of God, that there is ‘that of God in
everyone.’
The Roman Catholic group Pax Christi –
promotes a culture of peace and non-violence
through reconciliation (forgiveness) and
education.
Just War Theory
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
Religions oppose war, but many of them believe fighting is justifiable if it is the only
course of action that will prevent real evil.
Over many years Christian thinkers developed condition for a Just War:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Have a just cause (such as self defence)
Be lawfully declared by a proper authority (that is, the rulers of the countries
involved)
Have a good intention (such as to promote good and avoid evil) and once its
aims are achieved it must end
Be a last resort after all other ways of resolving the problem have been tried first
Have a reasonable chance of success (it is wrong to send troops to certain death
if there is no chance of winning)
Be fought by just means (anyone not fighting in the war should not be harmed)
and in proportion to the aims it seeks to achieve (excessive force must not be
used)
Only occur if the good achieved will outweigh the evil that led to the war.
Matthew 21:12
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
Although Jesus taught peace, forgiveness and
overcoming evil with good, he also vigorously
opposed wrongdoing. On one occasion, he used
force to drive out those who were turning the
Temple into ‘a den of thieves’.
When faced with injustice, Christians must stand
up for what is right.
Matthew 5:6
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.”
In the face of injustice in society, Christians
should act.
John 15:13
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
“There is no greater love than this, that a man
should lay down his life for his friends.”
In the face of injustice in society, Christians
should act. Acting in self defense should be the
last resort.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
Deitrich Bonhoeffer, a German Christian minister
during World War II, took part in a plot to
assassinate Hitler. He could not stand by while
millions of Jews were murdered.
Liberation Theology
Christian
War:
acceptable
against injustice
Some South American Christians support
‘liberation theology’. They accept the need for
fighting to overthrow unjust, oppressive
governments.
Exodus 21:24
Jewish/Chr
istian
War:
acceptable
“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”
In Ancient times, people believed God was on
their side and had called them to fight his
enemies.
Luke 22: 36
Jewish/Chr
istian
War:
acceptable
“Whoever has no sword must sell his coat and
buy one.”
Religious leaders may declare a holy war to
defend their religion or their followers who are
being persecuted in another country.
Joel 3:9
Jewish/Chr
istian
War:
acceptable
“Call the troops to arms, declare a holy war.”
Holy Wars have religious aims or goals. They are
authorised by God or a religious leader.
Religious leaders may declare a holy war to
defend their religion or their followers who are
being persecuted in another country.
The First Precept
“Refrain from harming others”
This is ahimsa, and is a core principle of
Buddhism.
Buddhism
Pacifism
The Noble Eightfold Path
Buddhism
Pacifism
Makes Buddhists consider others, as well as the
consequences of all behaviour.
Right action, part of the Eightfold Path, requires
living in harmony with others
Dhammapada
Buddhism
Pacifism
“Hatred does not cease by hatred, hatred ceases
by love.”
To reach peace, it is important to love instead of
hate.
Dhammapada
Buddhism
Pacifism
“He should not kill a living being, nor cause it to
be killed, nor should he incite another to kill.”
Life is sacred and must be respected.
The Three Poisons
Buddhism
Pacifism
War is often the result of the Three Poisons
(greed, ignorance and hatred).
Buddhism seeks to get rid of the Three Poisons
which lead to suffering.
Karma
Buddhism
Pacifism
Buddhists believe their actions have
consequences for their future rebirths.
The message of Buddhism is one of peace, not
war. To create good karma, Buddhists should
seek peace.
Dalai Lama
Buddhism
Pacifism
“Peace can exist if everyone respects all others.”
The message of Buddhism is one of peace, not
war.
Dalai Lama
Buddhism
Pacifism
As a Buddhist, the Dalai Lama refused to
consider violence to win back his country.
Instead, he encouraged refugees to save the
Tibetan culture and way of life and left Tibet. In
his struggle for his country’s freedom, he has
consistently opposed the use of violence. In
1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Inner peace
Buddhism
Pacifism
Violence harms both the person being violent
and their victim as it destroys inner peace.
Hatred affects one’s inner self and other people
and should be avoided.
Theravada Buddhists
Buddhism
Pacifism
Theravada Buddhists teach that killing is always
wrong. Anyone who kills will suffer
consequences in this or another life, even if the
intention is good.
Saving the Dalai Lama
Buddhism
War:
acceptable in
self defense
Some Buddhist monks were prepared to fight to
protect the Dalai Lama from the Chinese, for the
future survival of Buddhist teachings,
community and culture.
Mahayana Buddhists
Buddhism
War:
acceptable in
self defense
Mahayana Buddhists believe that although
killing is wrong. It is sometimes necessary to
save others. However, it must be carried out
unselfishly and with a willingness to accept bad
spiritual consequences.