All Christians want peace, but only some are pacifists. E.g. The Quakers Some Xians may be against a particular war which they feel is not a ‘just war’ Others believe that war is wrong, but is, in the last resort, a necessary evil to defend innocent people. The thoughts and actions of Xians are greatly influenced by God. They have a desire to please God and follow God’s wishes.

Some Xians think the Bible should be followed without question while others believe it should be used as a guide. Different churches have different views and have issued different edicts (decree or proclamation) As well as important Christian leaders, such as, Dr Martin Luther King who rejected the use of violence.

Example – The Quakers Pacifists Take view that the first Xians were pacifists – they were persecuted without retaliating with violence Wrong to resort to or support war Jesus said ‘Love thy neighbour’ Fighting is always wrong More can be achieved through love and goodness Threats or violence and the act of violence have negative impact and often lead to more violence. Wars once started are difficult to stop If everyone renounced violence the world would be a better place ‘The Book of Christian Discipline’

Example of Hitler and the Nazis – if Britain had not gone to war in 1939 many more innocents would have been killed by the Nazis. War to protect innocent people who are unable to protect themselves. Even Jesus used violence to drive out the moneychangers from the Temple. Many Xians join the army to fight evil Argument against pacifism would be if violence is not use to stop evil, evil will prevail – war to fight greater evil. It is the duty of good people to protect innocent people and fight evil. We should never turn our backs on the violation of human rights. Passive resistance does not work against major evil such as the Nazis. Non-violence is impractical in the real world where only the strongest survive. There are ‘Just wars’

All depends on what Church you are from (Church traditions followed) ‘Church in Modern World’ issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965: ‘…as a last resort, and provided other efforts of peace have failed, nations cannot be denied the right to self-defence. But they may not dominate another nation: they may only defend themselves… …the church condemns total warfare with the use of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons. Destroying whole cities or vast areas of land is a crime against God and against humanity…’

Report from British Council of Churches 1980: ‘The development and deployment of nuclear weapons has raised new and grave ethical questions for Christians. The doctrine of deterrence based upon the prospect of mutually assured destruction is increasingly offensive to Christian conscience.’

Peace testimony: ‘…that the spirit of Christ, which leads us all into truth, will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward weapons…’