© Phillip Allen
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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies
Unit 8.3
Religion: Peace & Conflict
Key Words
Weapons of Mass Destruction: Weapons that can devastate large areas
and kill huge numbers of people.
Pacifism: A belief that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
Just War: A war that is fought in a right way and for the right reasons.
Conflict Resolution: Bringing a fight or struggle to a peaceful conclusion.
United Nations: An international body set up to promote world peace
and cooperation.
Aggression: Attacking without being provoked.
Exploitation: Taking advantage of a weaker group.
Respect: Treating a person or their feelings with consideration.
World Peace: The ending of war throughout the whole world (basic aim
of the UN).
Bullying: Intimidating or frightening people who are weaker than
yourself.
Forgiveness: Stopping blaming someone and/or pardoning a person for
what they have done wrong.
Reconciliation: Bringing people back together to a point of harmony
after a dispute.
Conflict also happens between individuals.
A common result of personal conflict is bullying.
Bullying: ‘Hurting, intimidating or frightening people
who are physically or powerfully weaker than you.’
 Causing deliberate physical harm
(e.g. hitting).
 Calling people names.
 Telling lies against a person.
 Causing them to have a low self
esteem by demeaning them.
 Damaging or taking personal
property.
 Purposefully attempting to ruin a
persons reputation.
Problems at home.
Having been a victim of bullying
in the themselves.
 Wanting to look tough.
Low self esteem.
An average of 10 children each
year commit suicide as a direct
result of bullying.
Fact: Bullying also happens to adults, in the workplace. People who have
more power can intimidate you causing mental stress to victims which
has been known to lead to suicide.
Society tries to protect
people from bullying
• All schools must
have an anti-bullying
policy and students
should be encouraged
to report bullying.
• Trade unions have
procedures to help
protect those who are
bullied in the
workplace
UK law treats verbal bullying as an
assault and any bullying which
results in physical harm is classed
as aggravated assault which
carries a prison sentence.
 Society is against bullying because it harms
people mentally, socially, academically and
physically.
 It is against a person’s human rights to be
able to be free from fear.
 It harms society as it restricts the victim and
the bully from making a positive contribution to
society.
 Civilised society is based on law and mutual
respect, bullying ignores both.
All modern religions see
bullying as wrong because:
 In the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25), Jesus said
how we treat others should be the same as we would God.
 The Golden Rule states we should treat others as we
ourselves would like to be treated.
 Christians (and Jews) believe people are made in the image
of God, bullying is an assault against God.
 Islam teaches every member of the ummah should be
treated equal and all Muslims should act like brothers.
 Muslims believe it is wrong because the Qur’an teaches to
protect the vulnerable of society (Surah 90:12-16).
 Shari’ah law is based on mutual respect and upholding what
is ‘just’. Bully involves neither of these.
Conflicts can happen between families. They usually happen because of
differing ideas, jealousy or the need to feel respected or feared.
 Parents refusing to accept
child’s choice of partner.
 Siblings disagreeing as
children or as adults.
 Child’s choice of career.
 Disputes over money, work,
relationships etc.
 Conflict over the contents of
wills.
 A family member’s choice of
religion.
 Moral issues such as divorce,
cohabiting, abortion, etc.
 Children no longer wanting to
follow their parent’s religion.
Parent’s see it as a duty and may
worry about future life choice and
the afterlife for their child.
 Mixed faith marriages raises the
issue of which faith will be
followed in the home and the faith
of any children.
 Children being more religious
than their parents cause parents to
worry about fundamentalism.
 Living together, having a divorce
or abortion can cause issues.
Forgiveness: ‘The act of
no longer apportioning
blame and pardoning a
person for what they
have done.’
Reconciliation:
‘Bringing people back
together and to a point
of harmony after a
dispute.’
Christianity sees forgiveness and reconciliation as the way to end conflicts.
They believe this because:
 Jesus died on the cross to
bring forgiveness of sins and
reconciliation with God.
 The Lord’s prayer states
‘Forgive me my sins, as I forgive
the sins of others.’ How can we
expect God’s forgiveness if we
don’t forgive others.
 Jesus told Peter to forgive not 7
times but 77 times. This means forgive
completely and continually.
 Jesus’ told parables about the
importance of forgiveness and
reconciliation. E.g. The Unmerciful
Servant (Matt 18:21-35) and the
Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
Very occasionally Christianity states there are times when
reconciliation may not be possible.
 St Paul stated that if a
fellow Christian’s lifestyle
is clearly going against
what God wants and they
repeatedly refuse to change
their ways, then they
should not be allowed
membership of the church.
However, a Christian should
always be willing to work
towards forgiveness and
reconciliation when possible.
 If a friend or family
member refuses to accept
your faith in God and you are
forced to choose between
them, you should choose God
and your faith.
Christians are warned about not
forgiving others. ‘For if you forgive
men when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their
sins, your Father will not forgive your
sins.’ (Matt 6:14-16)
Islam teaches that Allah is forgiving and merciful to all who
turn from their sins and to him. Muslims believe:
Muslims should be
merciful and compassionate
towards others, because
Allah is merciful
and compassionate
towards them.
There are many
sayings of the
Prophet Muhammad (Hadith)
stating Muslims should forgive
others.
The Qur’an states ‘If a
person forgives and makes
reconciliation, his reward
will be from God.’
Surah 42:40
However, a Muslim
should not forgive
those who are
working against Islam
seeking to destroy it or
a person’s faith in it.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have been seen as the ultimate
deterrent since their first and only use in military conflict in August 1945.
Weapons of Mass Destruction: ‘Weapons that can devastate large areas
and kill huge numbers of people’.
WMD fall into three main
categories:
• Nuclear Weapons.
• Biological Weapons.
• Chemical Weapons.
Nuclear weapons work through a method of either
splitting an atom (fission) or joining multiple atoms
together (fusion) creating massive amounts of energy.
USA
Nuclear Update
Since 1945 scientists have greatly
developed
nuclear
weaponry.
Today the hydrogen bomb is 1,000
times more powerful than the one
dropped on Hiroshima. In the UK
the main nuclear capability are
housed in 200 Trident missiles
each
containing
3
nuclear
warheads, each warhead is 1,000
times more powerful than in 1945.
That is the equivalent to 600,000
Hiroshima bombs.
The argument for having such
weaponry was known as ‘MAD’
(Mutually Assured Destruction), if
one nuclear nation was to attack
another, both would be annihilated.
Russia
UK
China
France
India
Pakistan
Israel
Countries currently in
possession of nuclear weapons
are USA, Russia, UK, China,
France, India and Pakistan.
Although they have never
officially admitted or denied
it, most people believe Israel
also has a nuclear capability.
The UN now restrict countries
from gaining a nuclear
capability. Only those
countries who already possess
a nuclear capability may have
them. However, this has not
stopped countries such as
North Korea and Iran, from
attempting to gain nuclear
weapons.
Religion
Different religions followed in one place
can cause conflict (Kashmir is a mainly
Muslim area in a mostly Hindu country).
Disputes within religions (Sunni & Shia
Muslims fighting for control in Iraq).
When two religious groups
claim one area as their Godgiven land (Israel and
Palestine).
Ideology & Politics
If one group holds particular strong
viewpoints on certain issues (ideologies)
and then tries to enforce those views on
other people or neighbouring countries,
this can case national or even world
wars (Nazi Germany, Communist North
Korea on the Republic of South Korea).
Economics
World economy (financial security) can
cause conflicts if one country has a
resource another country needs (oil, gas).
If economic problems hit hard it can lead
to civil unrest causing refugees to flee
and some citizens of nearby countries
not wanting refugees
(Zimbabwe and
South
Africa)
Nationalism & Ethnicity
When an ethnic or cultural group within
a region or country is much larger than
other groups, they can favour their own
group over another, this can lead to the
minority groups fighting civil wars
(Kosovo). Some minority groups
want to set up their
own breakaway
states (Tamils on
Sri-Lanka)
The United Nations & World Peace
World Peace: ‘The removing of the
cause of war leading to freedom,
harmony and happiness in all nations.’
After World War II,
50 nations joined
together to form an
organisation committed
to supporting
international law and
security, economic
development, social
progress and human
rights.
The United Nations (UN)
as it is called now has
192 member states.
The United Nations
seek to bring peace to areas before conflicts
start often by introducing and enforcing
economic and political sanctions, restrictions
on trade or freedom of international travel.
As a last resort armed
forces made up of military
personnel from member
nations can be deployed
to enforce peace and
bring a swift resolution
to potential conflicts.
One of the key aims of the United Nations is; world peace.
Kosovo
Yugoslavia was a country made up of six
republics (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia) and two
autonomous (self governing) regions, both based
in Serbia (Vojvodina and Kosovo). With the end
of direct communist rule, Yugoslavia eventually
collapsed and broke up into different member
states. This was not an easy transition and inevitably war broke out between
some of the republics.
In 1989, the President of Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic, took control of Kosovo.
The people of Kosovo, who were mainly ethnic Albanians, resisted Serbia’s
rule but the Serbian army were too strong. The Serbian army began the mass
execution of the Albanian Kosovo’s - this is known as ‘ethnic cleansing’.
Hundreds of thousands of people fled and thousands of men, women and
children were murdered. The United Nations tried to
negotiate a deal over Kosovo but when Milosevic rejected it,
NATO forces began a bombing campaign driving Serbian
troops out. In 1999 the UN took control of Kosovo giving the
people there it’s protection.
Kosovo
UN peacekeeping forces were sent to the region with several aims.
• They were to bring an end to Serbian aggression against the people of
Kosovo.
• To offer protection for the people of Kosovo allowing for refugees to
feel they were able to return home.
• To stop Kosovar militia from entering traditionally Serbian communities
in Kosovo and offer protection against revenge attacks.
Since 1999 the UN have helped Kosovar politicians set up political parties,
established democracy, law and order and an education system. In 2008
Kosovar was able to establish an independent democratic state recognised
by most nations, although not
Serbia or Russia.
In 2008 the UN downgraded their
Mission in Kosovo to allow the
European Union to help Kosovo
become an independent state in
its own right.
S t T h o m a s A q u i n a s developed seven criteria by which a
Christian may feel a war to be justified (acceptable).
 A Just Cause: resisting aggression removing injustice.
 By Legitimate Authority: instigated by governments not
organisations.
 By Just Intention: The reason and purpose must be for the
greater good and not material gain.
 A Probability of Success: There is a reasonable chance of
success, lives will not be unnecessarily put at risk.
 A Just Proportion: Excessive force should not be used.
 A Last Resort: Only when all diplomatic areas fail.
 Warfare is Discriminate: Civilians are not targeted.
Christianity and a ‘Just War’
All Christians believe they should work towards peace, forgiveness and
reconciliation. However, whilst this may be the primary aim, many believe
that on occasion war may be an inevitable means of securing that peace.
St Paul
“Everyone
must submit to
their governing
authorities
because it is
God who has
given them
that position,
he who rebels,
rebels against
God.” Romans
13:1-2
Jesus said ‘Give to Caesar
what is Caesar’s…’ this
means we have an
obligation to support
the government.
“Remind the
people to obey
their rulers and
authorities, to
be obedient,
and to be
ready to do
what is right.”
Titus 3:1
Jesus also saw
that faith and
military service
do not need to
be separated as
he commended
the faith of a
Roman Centurion
(Luke 7).
Church leaders
from key Christian
denominations
(including Anglican,
Catholic, Baptist,
Methodist & URC)
state Christians
have the right to
fight in just wars.
Pacifism: ‘Refusing to fight in a war
due to a belief that the use of force
and violence has no justification.’
Many Christians today are pacifists,
claiming there can be no justification for violence. They think
this because:
 Jesus taught his followers to
‘turn the other cheek’ and not
retaliate. (Matthew 5:39)
 Jesus stopped Peter from using
violence and said ‘He who lives
by the sword will die by the
sword.’ (Matt26:52)
 The 5th commandment
bans killing. (Exodus 20:13).
 Wars affect civilian lives
not just the military.
 Jesus said ‘Blessed are
the peacemakers.’ (Matt 5:9)
The Arabic word ‘jihad’ means to struggle or strive’. Islam teaches that
Muslims should be prepared to struggle or strive in the way of Islam.
For Muslims the most
important struggle
they must undertake is
called the greater jihad
or the internal jihad. A
spiritual and emotional
fight to become truly
submitted to the will
of Allah (The word
‘Islam’ means
submission, the word
‘Muslim’ means one
who submits to God).
The lesser jihad is about the physical
struggles against the enemies of Islam.
Muslims will sometimes see their jihad as a
Holy War, particularly if they feel Islam itself
is being attacked.
 The Qur’an teaches that Muslims must fight
if they are attacked.
 Muhammad himself fought in wars.
 The Hadith permits justifiable wars.
 The Qur’an teaches that anyone who dies in
a just war will go directly to heaven.
However, some Muslims believe Islam to be a
religion of peace and modern warfare means
no war can be just, so oppose all wars.
Fight in the
cause of god
those who
fight you, but
do
not go
beyond the
limits, god
does
not
love those who
transgress.
 It must be fought for a Just Cause:
either Islam is being attacked, people are
suffering, or in self defense.
 It must be a Last Resort: all possible
non-violent means of resolving the
problem have been tried.
 It must be authorised by a Muslim Authority: By a religious
(Surah 2:190)
leader or council of leaders.
 It must cause Minimal Suffering: to all sides involved.
 It must not target Innocent Civilians: especially the elderly,
the young and women.
 It must end when the Enemies Surrender: Prisoners of war
are to be returned.
Religious Peace Organisations
All religions have groups which are working for world
peace. These groups work by lobbying politicians, raising
public awareness and campaigning for human rights. Their
main motivations are forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.
Task: Create a short fact-file on one of the following agencies:
• Pax Christi - www.paxchristi.org.uk (Xian)
• Neve Shalom - www.nswas.com (Jewish/Palestinian)
• JPF - www.jewishpeacefellowship.org (Jewish)
• Muslim Peace Fellowship - www.mpf21.wordpress.com
(Islamic)
N.B. Your fact file should include Who they are, examples of
what they do and an explanation of their motivation (why they
do what they do).
Revision Checklist
 Key Words.
 Bullying, examples of and reasons for.
 The effects on society and the laws surrounding bullying.
 Religious perspectives on bullying.
 Conflicts within families.
 Christianity, forgiveness and reconciliation.
 Islam, forgiveness and reconciliation.
 Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s).
 Causes of war.
 The United Nations and the desire for world peace.
 The United Nations and the Serbian/Kosovo conflict.
 The ‘Just War Theory’.
 Christian attitudes to war (including Christian pacifism).
 Islamic views on war.
 Islamic ‘Just War Theory’.
 Religious organisations working for peace.
Notes