Religion, Peace and Conflict – Key Quotes and Evidence
PEACE
“He [God] will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for
Violence does not
many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and Isaiah 2: 4
solve wars; God does /
their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take sword against (Christianity)
God wants peace
nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
“The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on The true believers do
the earth, and who, when aggressive people address them, reply Qur’an 25:63 not retaliate but
with words of peace.” instead act peacefully
“‘A man is not a great man because he is warrior and kills other Greatness is earned by
Dhammapada
men, but because he hurts not any living being he is in truth called a acting peacefully and
270
great man.” not violently
The Buddhist Principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) shows we should Violence is wrong as it
have respect for all life harms life
Happiness is achieved
“Happy are those who work for peace.” Matthew 5:9
through peace
You should love, not
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:54
hate, your enemies
“Love your neighbor” Romans 12:17 You should love all
“If two parties of believers take up arms ... make peace between Peace is a better
Qur’an 49:9
them.” response than war
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God loves those who
Matthew 5:9
God” create peace
Peace is a better
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If it is possible … live at peace Romans
response than
with everyone.” 12:17:19
retaliation
Those who cause
“Put your sword back in its place … for all who live by the sword die violence will suffer
Matthew 26:52
by the sword.” themselves when they
are judged
Life is special as it was
“Do not take life, which God has made sacred.” Qur’an 17:33 created by God, so life
should not be harmed
FORGIVENESS
Those who forgive will
“Paradise is for ... those who curb their anger and forgive their
Qur’an 3:134 be welcomed into
fellow men.”
paradise
Everyone should
“Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as
Ephesians 4:32 follow Jesus’ example
God is Christ forgave you.”
of being forgiving
We would want Allah
“Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to
Qur’an 24:22 to forgive us, so we
forgive you? Allah is forgiving and merciful.”
should be forgiving too
Forgiveness is
“there is cause to act against those who oppress people… though if a
Qur’an 42:43 preferable over
person is patient and forgives, this is one of the greatest things”
retaliation
JUSTICE
“If there is a serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, Justice means writing
Exodus 21:23
tooth for tooth.” wrong with a wrong
“You have heard it was said to the people long ago ‘You shall not Anger is not the
murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.’ But Matthew 5:21- correct approach to
I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be 22 justice – justice should
subject to judgement.” bring good, not evil
PEACE
“He [God] will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for
Violence does not
many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and Isaiah 2: 4
solve wars; God does /
their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take sword against (Christianity)
God wants peace
nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
“The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on The true believers do
the earth, and who, when aggressive people address them, reply Qur’an 25:63 not retaliate but
with words of peace.” instead act peacefully
“‘A man is not a great man because he is warrior and kills other Greatness is earned by
Dhammapada
men, but because he hurts not any living being he is in truth called a acting peacefully and
270
great man.” not violently
The Buddhist Principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) shows we should Violence is wrong as it
have respect for all life harms life
Happiness is achieved
“Happy are those who work for peace.” Matthew 5:9
through peace
You should love, not
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:54
hate, your enemies
“Love your neighbor” Romans 12:17 You should love all
“If two parties of believers take up arms ... make peace between Peace is a better
Qur’an 49:9
them.” response than war
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God loves those who
Matthew 5:9
God” create peace
Peace is a better
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If it is possible … live at peace Romans
response than
with everyone.” 12:17:19
retaliation
Those who cause
“Put your sword back in its place … for all who live by the sword die violence will suffer
Matthew 26:52
by the sword.” themselves when they
are judged
Life is special as it was
“Do not take life, which God has made sacred.” Qur’an 17:33 created by God, so life
should not be harmed
FORGIVENESS
Those who forgive will
“Paradise is for ... those who curb their anger and forgive their
Qur’an 3:134 be welcomed into
fellow men.”
paradise
Everyone should
“Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as
Ephesians 4:32 follow Jesus’ example
God is Christ forgave you.”
of being forgiving
We would want Allah
“Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to
Qur’an 24:22 to forgive us, so we
forgive you? Allah is forgiving and merciful.”
should be forgiving too
Forgiveness is
“there is cause to act against those who oppress people… though if a
Qur’an 42:43 preferable over
person is patient and forgives, this is one of the greatest things”
retaliation
JUSTICE
“If there is a serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, Justice means writing
Exodus 21:23
tooth for tooth.” wrong with a wrong
“You have heard it was said to the people long ago ‘You shall not Anger is not the
murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.’ But Matthew 5:21- correct approach to
I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be 22 justice – justice should
subject to judgement.” bring good, not evil
