Religion, peace and conflict · GCSE Religious Studies

Peace, justice and reconciliation

Peace is the absence of conflict and a state of harmony. Justice means fairness. Forgiveness and reconciliation restore relationships after conflict.
Religions teach the importance of peace: Jesus said 'Blessed are the peacemakers' (Matthew 5:9), and the word Islam is linked to salam, meaning peace.

Causes of war include greed (for land or resources), self-defence and retaliation. Religion is sometimes a cause, but many argue it is often used as an excuse for political conflicts.

Just War theory, developed by Christian thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas, says a war is justified only if it has a just cause, is declared by a legitimate authority, has the right intention, is a last resort, has a reasonable chance of success, and uses proportionate force that protects civilians.
A holy war is fought for a religious cause, such as the Crusades. In Islam, lesser jihad has strict conditions and should be defensive.

Islam teaches that peace is the aim: the Qur'an says that if the enemy inclines towards peace, Muslims should too (Surah 8:61). Muslims greet each other with 'As-salamu alaykum' ('peace be upon you').
The conditions for lesser jihad are like the just war conditions: it must be declared by a proper religious authority, be in self-defence or to protect the oppressed, and be a last resort, and it must not harm civilians, crops or the environment. The Qur'an says to fight those who fight you, but not to go beyond the limits (Surah 2:190).
Most Muslims are not pacifists, because fighting in self-defence is allowed, but many work for peace, for example through Islamic Relief. Many Muslims believe weapons of mass destruction can never meet the conditions of lesser jihad, because they kill civilians.

Pacifists believe war and violence are always wrong; the Quakers are a well-known pacifist Christian group. Conscientious objectors refuse to fight for reasons of conscience.
Peacemakers include Martin Luther King, who used non-violent protest, and organisations such as Pax Christi. Religious charities, such as Christian Aid and Islamic Relief, help victims of war and refugees.

Many believers oppose weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and biological), because they kill huge numbers of civilians and can never be proportionate. Some argue nuclear weapons deter war.
Terrorism is the use of violence to create fear for political aims. Religious leaders widely condemn it.

Peace: The absence of conflict, and a state of harmony.
Justice: Fairness, where everyone is treated equally.
Reconciliation: Restoring friendly relationships after conflict.
Just war: A war that meets strict conditions to be morally justified.
Holy war: A war fought for a religious cause.
Pacifism: The belief that war and violence are always wrong.
Conscientious objector: A person who refuses to fight for reasons of conscience.
Retaliation: Deliberately harming someone in return for harm done.
Terrorism: Using violence to create fear for political aims.
Weapons of mass destruction: Weapons, such as nuclear bombs, that kill huge numbers of people.