Webinar Series 2015
RE & Interfaith discussion
How to sensitively discuss religious violence and
terrorism in the classroom?
4.00pm - 4.45pm
Thursday 10th December 2015
http://www.interfaithexplorers.com/webinars
www.interfaithexplorers.com
• Supported by UNESCO
• Helps pupils understand the world around them & respect
cultural and religious diversity
• Offers high quality cross-curricula resources to use with
pupils at Key Stage 2 and those embarking on their Key
Stage 3 transition
• Supports core personal and social skills development as
well as self-directed, exploratory learning
• Promotes universal core values & the development of
ethical thinking
• Designed to compliment RE and PSHE teaching, alongside
citizenship education
Webinars
• Support teachers in their work around
interfaith dialogue and RE; as well as PSHE
and Citizenship learning in schools
• Offers a space for teachers to come
together and think about issues arising from
classroom practice in these areas
Webinar Presenter
• Claire Clinton
o An experienced teacher within EYFS, Primary and
Secondary education
o She has over 20 years of classroom experience,
and 16 years of advisory work at a national and
local level
o For the past 10 years has been the Religious
Education Advisor for the London Borough of
Newham
Session objectives
• Show how RE can help support discussions in
your schools around violence;
• Understand what different religions teach
about violence;
• Understand principles for running sensitive
discussions in the classroom
What religions teach on violence? (1)
Judaism
• Does not regard violence and war to promote justice as
always wrong;
• Accepts that certain kinds of war will be ethically
justified: that it is sometimes morally acceptable to kill
people;
• Before declaring war or starting a battle there must be a
genuine attempt to make peace and avoid the conflict;
• Jewish law only permits combatants to be deliberately
killed in war: innocent civilians must be given every
opportunity to leave the field of combat before a battle
starts.
What religions teach on violence? (2)
Judaism
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In much of the Old Testament God gives his clear approval to war;
He is identified as a warrior, and is shown as leading the Jews in conflict,
bringing them victory, protecting them from enemy forces;
But at the same time the Old Testament is filled with Jewish longing for
peace (Isaiah 2);
Peace is seen as something that comes from God and will only be fully
realised when there is justice and harmony - not just between peoples,
but within individual communities;
Some of the present day arguments put forward in the context of
terrorism take up this idea: that there can be no real peace without
justice for all;
The importance of peace to the Jewish people is emphasised by
'Shalom', the conventional greeting between Jews from the earliest
times, which means 'peace'.
What religions teach on violence? (3)
Judaism
• The ancient rabbis thought that there were three
types of war that a Jewish state should consider:
o Obligatory wars: these are wars that God commanded
Jews to fight. They include the biblical wars against the
Canaanites and against the Amalekites
o Defensive wars: (These are also obligatory.) If the Jewish
people are attacked, they are obliged to defend
themselves
o Optional wars: These are wars undertaken for a good
reason, and where no other form of "negotiation" remains
possible
What religions teach on violence? (4)
Christianity
•Christians have a long history of refusing to take part
in war. Many Christians are pacifists of various types;
•These range from peace activists to those who need
a great deal to convince them that war is justified;
•The Christian argument for pacifism is based partly on
Jesus's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and
other places, and in the example that Jesus sets
Christians through his life – turn the other cheek!
What religions teach on violence? (5)
Christianity
• The Just War theory is a largely Christian philosophy that
attempts to reconcile three things:
o Taking human life is seriously wrong;
o States have a duty to defend their citizens, and defend justice;
o Protecting innocent human life and defending important moral
values sometimes requires willingness to use force and violence.
• The theory is not intended to justify wars but to prevent
them, by showing that going to war except in certain
limited circumstances is wrong, and thus motivate states
to find other ways of resolving conflicts.
What religions teach on violence? (6)
Islam
• Most Muslim scholars believe that the killing
of civilians is forbidden;
• In their support, they cite well-known sayings
of Prophet Mohammad
o E.g. forbidding killing the enemy's women and
children or burning down their vegetation;
o What are today known as scorched earth
tactics.
What religions teach on violence? (7)
Islam
• Islam bans suicide;
• Islam - as most Muslims believe - is about
tolerance, peace and freedom from
oppression;
• So it is then up to individual Muslims to make
choices that do not infringe on the rights of
others;
• Most Muslim people find terrorism abhorrent
Discussing violence in the classroom
Handling these situations (1)
• Ensure your pupils:
o Know your ground rules for classroom discussions:
o How do pupils ask a question?
o Disagree with someone?
o Talk to class or peers?
o Use ‘ownership’ language: e.g. ‘in my opinion’,
‘some Hindu’s…’
o Are encouraged to explore the issue, look for facts
and think about where to look for answers
Handling these situations (2)
• Teachers should:
o Affirm contributions from everyone, even if
you don’t agree with it
o It gives you something to help them learn
from
o Allow for a range of answers
o Correct wrong factual information
o Ensure the information you give is
balanced
Handling these situations (3)
• Throw back questions for further clarification
with phrases like:
o What do you think?
o Can you clarify this for us?
• You want to keep pupils pondering
• Be honest with pupils, without being ruthless
• Give time for quiet reflection, or reflective
writing, to allow pupils time to assimilate
information
Handling these situations (5)
• Use resources and activities available
on www.interfaithexplorers.com:
o 400 videos: adults and children talking about
their faith as a starter to open up a topic
o Taster activities: Lemon activity – good way into
interfaith discussions
o Teachers guidance: Advice on website on
dealing with difficult issues, how to run an enquiry
with respect & making choices
• Use ‘newsround’ reports and website
for starter films
Wrap up
Any questions?
Contact us
For further information about the webinar series and
how Interfaith Explorers can support you visit:
www.interfaithexplorers.com
or contact
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE
Chief Executive
Maimonides Interfaith Foundation
rokhsana@maimonides-foundation.org