1. Violence and Religion

2. Assessing the sources Are they reputable? (where published?) How do they engage Islamic teaching? Can you perceive whether the author has an agenda? Is his/her argument logical? Is it grounded?

3. Arguments How does original historical context affect interpreting the Quranic teachings today? What is the whole of Islamic teaching about the use of violence? What is the Islamic doctrine of jihad? Who is authorized to call for aggression? Is Islam different from other religions?

4. Islam 600-700s: Arab societies have many wars –Mohammad and companions fight for their survival –Use violence themselves (against Jews) Islam a unifying force for Arabs –Gain control of new regions –Politics and religion intertwined But, come under European control until recently (colonization)

5. Judaism Early history tied to inheritance of a land by conquering (covenant promise) Big change: Loss of political autonomy (Babylonian Exile) Big change II: Rabbinic Judaism Today: State of Israel –Tied to horrific violence that Jews suffered in Holocaust (Fackenheim)

6. Christianity Big change: becoming state religion (381 CE) of Roman Empire Crusades (1000s to 1400s) Spanish Inquisition Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants (1500s-1600s) Just War Tradition US Civil War?

7. Christian Just War Criteria Jus ad bellum (before going to war) –Legitimate authority. –Just cause: self-defense, in defense of another nation, to protect innocents or to regain something wrongfully taken. –Right intention: to establish peace, not for gain. –Last resort. –Reasonable chance of success. –Proportionality: do not exceed the damage done by the aggression itself. Jus in bello (during war) –Noncombatant immunity: may never deliberately target civilians. –Proportionate means: restricts unnecessary use of force.

8. Buddhism Kicked Mongols out of China in 14 th century Japan –Samurais used Buddhist practices to enhance their technique –Persecution, torture, and killing of Christians in late 1500s and1600s Today: Civil war in Sri Lanka between Buddhists and Hindus