Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
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Violence and Terrorism
Violence is the use of physical force to cause harm. Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, for political or ideological aims.
Both Christianity and Islam condemn violence and terrorism — they contradict teachings on the sanctity of life.
Violence and Terrorism — Key Knowledge
- Violence physical force to cause harm — condemned by most religious believers as it violates sanctity of life
- Terrorism unlawful violence against civilians for political/ideological aims
- Extremism a distortion of religious teaching, not a faithful expression of it
Reasons for War
Wars are fought for many reasons. Most religious traditions accept war may sometimes be necessary as a last resort.
Religion is sometimes used to justify conflict but is rarely the root cause — most wars are fought over land, resources, or power.
Reasons for War — Key Knowledge
- Self-defence protecting a nation from attack
- Retaliation responding to aggression
- Resources and land territory, oil, water
- Greed and power desire for control
- Ideology imposing or defending a political/religious system
- Humanitarian intervention military action to prevent genocide or mass atrocities
Just War Theory — Christianity
A set of criteria developed by Aquinas and later thinkers for determining when war is morally acceptable and how it should be conducted.
Just War theory is a framework for limiting and regulating war, not encouraging it.
Just War Theory — Christianity — Key Knowledge
- Legitimate authority declared by a government, not a private individual
- Just cause e.g. self-defence, protecting the innocent
- Last resort all peaceful alternatives tried first
- Right intention aim to bring about good and overcome evil
- Reasonable chance of success no futile wars
- Proportional force violence must not exceed the evil being fought
- Non-combatant immunity civilians must not be targeted
Lesser Jihad — Islam
Lesser jihad is the Islamic concept of defensive warfare, permitted under strict conditions set out in the Qur'an.
Lesser jihad shares key principles with Just War theory — just cause, last resort, proportionality, and protection of civilians.
Lesser Jihad — Islam — Key Knowledge
- Self-defence or protecting the oppressed the only permitted causes
- Legitimate religious authority must declare it
- Last resort peace must be sought first
- Protection of civilians must not harm civilians, children, the elderly, or religious buildings
- Must stop when the enemy surrenders, Proportional response no excess
Holy War
A war fought for a religious cause or on the command of God. Most modern religious leaders reject the concept.
The concept is historically significant but widely criticised today as too easily misused to justify violence.
Holy War — Key Knowledge
- Holy war war fought for religious cause or divine command
- The Crusades 11th–13th centuries — Christian wars to recapture the Holy Land; declared by Pope Urban II
- Lesser jihad sometimes interpreted as holy war though mainstream scholarship restricts it to defensive warfare
Pacifism
The belief that all violence and war are wrong and that disputes should be resolved peacefully.
Pacifism is a specific tradition within Christianity, most strongly associated with Quakers — not all Christians are pacifists.
Pacifism — Key Knowledge
- Pacifism belief that all violence and war are wrong
- Quakers/Religious Society of Friends committed pacifists — believe there is "that of God" in every person
- Conscientious objectors those who refuse to fight on moral or religious grounds
- Martin Luther King Jr Christian minister who led civil rights movement through non-violent protest, inspired by Jesus and Gandhi
- Greater jihad the internal spiritual struggle to live a good Muslim life — considered more important than lesser jihad
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons capable of killing large numbers of people indiscriminately.
Most Christians and Muslims oppose WMDs — they cause indiscriminate suffering, violating Just War principles and lesser jihad conditions.
Weapons of Mass Destruction — Key Knowledge
- WMDs nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons
- Nuclear weapons most destructive weapons ever created — Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1945
- Deterrence/MAD Mutually Assured Destruction — possessing nuclear weapons to prevent war
- CND Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament — campaigns for elimination of all nuclear weapons
Christian Teachings on Peace and Reconciliation
Christianity teaches that forgiveness and reconciliation are central duties, modelled on God reconciling with humanity through Jesus.
Reconciliation is not the same as excusing wrongdoing — religious forgiveness often accompanies a call for justice and accountability.
Christian Teachings on Peace and Reconciliation — Key Knowledge
- Forgiveness central to Christian teaching — the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"
- Reconciliation restoring relationships after conflict
- Corrymeela Community Christian peace organisation in Northern Ireland — reconciliation between Protestant and Catholic communities
- Desmond Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission used Christian principles of forgiveness to heal South Africa after apartheid
Islamic Teachings on Peace and Reconciliation
Peace is a core value in Islam. Forgiveness and reconciliation are encouraged as pathways to Allah's reward.
Both peace and forgiveness are woven into Islamic teaching — from Allah's names to Qur'anic guidance on how to respond to wrongdoing.
Islamic Teachings on Peace and Reconciliation — Key Knowledge
- As-Salaam the Source of Peace — one of the 99 Names of Allah
- Forgiveness encouraged in the Qur'an, Islamic Relief humanitarian organisation inspired by Islamic values, working in conflict zones worldwide
Non-Religious Approaches to Peace and Conflict
Secular organisations work for peace, human rights, and humanitarian aid without religious motivation.
Non-religious humanists argue that peace and reconciliation matter for practical and ethical reasons, not because God commands it.
Non-Religious Approaches to Peace and Conflict — Key Knowledge
- United Nations international organisation working for peace and security
- Amnesty International campaigns for human rights worldwide
- Médecins Sans Frontières medical humanitarian aid in conflict zones
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Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
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