Unit 8 Religion and Society Peace and Conflict Unit 8 Religion and Society

Allied forces went to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion. Why do wars occur? Religion. Conflict can occur because of religious differences, if a religious minority is being persecuted and this might cause co-religionists in another country to invade. Sometimes there could be essentially a civil war between people of the same religion, because of religious differences. Nationalism/ Ethnicity. Sometimes nationalists may claim that only certain ethnic groups belong in their country. This can lead to civil war within a country made up of different ethnic groups and even genocide when whole communities are killed. 1991. Gulf War. Allied forces went to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi invasion. 1990s. Balkans. Series of wars of independence as Yugoslavia broke apart, leading to ethnic cleansing. 1994. Rwanda. An estimated 800,000 Rwandans died in 100 days of violence by the Tutsi ethnic group. Economics. Wars begin a country has resources that another country wants or needs. Furthermore economic problems in one country can lead to conflict in another country, especially if war creates mass migration. Ideological/ political differences. Conflicting political ideas about how a country should be ruled can lead to war. It might be different political groups wanting power. In the twentieth century there has been a rise in communism and authoritarianism, challenging capitalism and democratic states. 2011. Syrian Civil Rebels begin fighting for democracy against the Government.

What is Just War? Many people, including Christians and Muslims agree that war can be justified. It can be fought for the right reasons (jus ad bellum), fought in the right way (jus in bello) and end fairly. The criteria for a just war is: War must be a last resort. Economic sanctions and diplomacy must be tried first. The war must do good and overcome evil (hence St George defeating the dragon), for example to defeat an aggressor. War must be declared by a proper authority, i.e. in the UK this would be Parliament. There must be a good reason for the war, for example to defend your country. It must be possible to win. A war should not go on with no end in sight. The good a war will do must outweigh the harm. The loss of human life must be worth it. There must be limits to the way war is fought, for example we cannot destroy an aggressive country with nuclear weapons.

Is the Syrian War a just war? Jus ad bellum. The war began when the Syria government used excessive force to put down pro-democracy protests in March 2011. Oppositions supporters eventually took up arms to defend themselves and to remove government security forces. Jus in bello. There is evidence that the government and rebels have committed war crimes – including murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearances. Both sides are accused of using civilian suffering – blocking access to food, water and health services – as a method of war. The government forces have also used chemical weapons. Jus post bellum? The war continues on without an apparent end or political solution. Neither the government forces or rebels are able to secure victory. The rebel forces are too diverse to form a cohesive opposition. A number of attempts by the Arab League and the UN to broker ceasefires and start dialogue have failed. Is the Syrian War a just war? A chemical attack targeting the suburbs surrounding Damascus has killed hundreds of people, including children. Rebels say 494 people have died after chemical shelling by President Bashar al- Assad’s forces on Wednesday 21st August 2013. The Syrian army has denied involvement in any chemical attack. 

What are Christian and Muslim Attitudes to Peace and Conflict? Most Christians believe they can fight in Just Wars. Just War is the teaching of the main Churches. Just War means it is agreed by a Government. “Everybody must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission” Romans 13:1 In addition: Jesus praised the faith of one Roman Soldier, showing that you could be a soldier and a Christian. Jesus said ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s’, so governments can make demands on their citizens such as fighting for their country. A significant minority of Christians are pacifists. One of the Ten Commandments is ‘do not commit murder’ (Exodus 20:13) Jesus’ Greatest Commandment is ‘love your neighbour’ (Mark 12:31) The Golden Rule is ‘do for others what you want them to do for you’ (Matthew 7:12). Jesus stopped Peter from using violence when he was arrested saying ‘All who take the sword will die by the sword’ (Matthew 26:52). Nearly all Muslims believe they can fight in Just Wars. Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors. Qur'an 2:190 Fight in the cause of God … means more than just for religion, because God is meant to be just. against those who fight you … means self-defence. do not transgress limits … means there are rules to what you can and can’t do in war. Remember the Ten Commandment verses reads ‘you shall not kill … except for a just cause’. There must be a good reason to go to war for a war to be just (jus ad bellum). There is no idea of pacifism in Islam. A minority of Muslims however argue that in modern warfare no war can be just.

How does the United Nations promote peace? UN can impose sanctions on countries threatening world peace. This means a country is less able to buy military hardware. UN can authorise the use of force by member states to stop an aggressor. In 1991 UN Coalition forces were successful in liberating Kuwait from occupation by neighbouring Iraq. UN Peacekeepers help countries make the transition to peace. This can include disarming soldiers, establishing an effective criminal justice system, and arranging free elections. A ceasefire must however be agreed first. In the long-term, the UN tackles the causes of war by promoting education, encourage democracy, and achieving ‘food security’, making sure people have reliable and regular access to enough nutritional food to lead active, healthy lives, so they do not need to resort to violence. Sadly United Nations peace keeping efforts are not always successful. In fact United Nations actions in the Balkans during the 1990s contributed to ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims by Serb forces. The creation of safe areas, poorly defended by United Nations Peace-keepers and removing weapons meant Bosnian Muslims were defenceless when Serbian forces attacked.

How does Pax Christi promote peace? Prayer Vigil Each year since 1982 Christians have gathered outside the Ministry of Defence on Ash Wednesday in praying against nuclear war. Christians pray that the government repent of its willingness to use nuclear weapons. Boycott Pax Christi boycotts Israeli goods made in or made by Israeli companies based in occupied Palestinian territory. This puts economic pressure on Israel. At the same time people buy Palestinian goods, showing their support. Protest March Christians joined a series of coordinated protests in 2003 across the globe to show their position to war in Iraq. Up to two million people marched in London, the largest protest the country had ever seen. Lobbying Politician Christians regularly share their views with politicians, signing petitions, writing letters or speaking to them directly on peace issues, such as not funding UK nuclear weapons (Trident). Pax Christi’s efforts seem to have had little impact. The UK still joined the US-led war in Iraq in 2004. The UK continues to fund a nuclear deterrent, called Trident. Israel has occupied Palestinian territory since 1967.

What are Christian and Muslim attitudes to bullying? Christians will follow Jesus’ Greatest Commandment is ‘love your neighbour’ (Mark 12:31). Bullying shows the opposite of love. Jesus also taught the Golden Rule is to ‘Do for others what you want them to do for you” (Matthew 7:12) and no-one would want to be bullied. Bullying can cause someone to commit suicide. This is against the Christian belief in the sanctity of life. Bullying can harm society as victims of bullying do not do so well at school or in work. Muhammad said in his last sermon that ‘Every Muslim is a brother [or sister] to every Muslim’. No one should bully anyone. All Muslims are part of a global community of Muslims called the Ummah, and should help one another. Muslims are also meant to “show kindness … to near and distant neighbours” (Qur’an 4:36). The Qur’an principle is ‘To return evil with kindness’ (Qur’an 41:34). Muslims should respond to the evil of bullying by stopping it. Bullying can cause someone to commit suicide. This is against the Islamic belief in the sanctity of life. Bullying often focuses on schools, but bullying can happen between adults. Many people experience bullying at work. It may does not cause physical injury, but can lead to stress, nervous breakdown or even suicide.

Why might religion cause conflict in a family? Children no longer want to take part in their parents’ religion. Religions often tell parents it is their duty to bring up children in the faith, but as they get older, children may no longer believe. Children wanting to marry a partner from a different faith. Young people may chose to fall in love with someone from a different faith. This raises lots of questions between the couple, about the wedding and bringing up children. Children becoming more religious than their parents. Increasingly young people are becoming more committed to their religion than their parents. In a Muslim family, a daughter for example may decide to wear a hijab. Disagreements over moral issues. There can be major conflicts within a family if a family member makes a moral decision that goes against the teaching of the family’s religion, such as having an abortion, divorce or is homosexual. Religion can also be a positive influence upon a family. Religion promotes a mutual respect between parents and children as well as encouraging resolving of conflict by asking forgiveness and reconciliation.

Christian and Islamic teaching on forgiveness and reconciliation? Human beings are not perfect and therefore we need to ask forgiveness and be understanding when someone wrongs us. Jesus’ mission on Earth was so that everyone could be forgiven and go up to heaven to be with God. In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, a servant who is forgiven a large debt by his master refused to forgive another servant a small debt. The master finds out and imprisons the unmerciful servant. This parable teaches that (1) we must forgive others to be forgiven, and (2) we should share the fact we have been forgiven with others. Human beings are not perfect and therefore we need to ask forgiveness and be understanding when someone wrongs us. The words “Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful” are repeated many times throughout the Qur’an. Muslims are encouraged to ask God for forgiveness. In a hadith, Allah tells His servants, “O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.“ This should give Muslims confidence they will be forgiven. On Judgement Day Muslims believe God will judge them on how they have treated other people, including their capacity to forgive. Remember forgiveness is to stop blaming someone for what they have done. Reconciliation is bringing together people who were opposed to each other. You can forgive someone without necessarily being reconciled.