Rs theme D religion , peace and conflict
Justice : This means fairness; making right a fair situation which has been unjust.
Christians believe it is important that when a crime is committed there is justice, but this means it needs to be fair.
Christian Teachings on Forgiveness
• Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation.
• When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother up to seven times, Jesus told him that he should forgive 7x7
times.
• Jesus said if people do not forgive those who have sinned against them, God will not forgive their sins.
• The Lord’s prayer states that Christians should forgive others. Christianity is based on the concept of forgiveness,
agape and reconciliation.
Christianity teaches that Christians should be committed to forgiveness and reconciliation when there are conflicts
between family and friends. Christians believe that the power of forgiveness and love (agape) can lead to
reconciliation and the ending of conflict.
Violent protest
, War
A conflict between 2 or more sides
For war
In the Old Testament it states on a few occasions that God encouraged people to go to war to defend themselves:
this suggests that war is justified if it is to defend yourself. “You shall destroy them!”
On one occasion Jesus lost his temper at the Temple and overturned a table: this shows that sometimes violence
is needed.
Against War
• Jesus, was very clear in his teachings about LOVE (agape) and PEACE
• Jesus taught that people who followed peace would be rewarded in Heaven – “blessed are the peacemakers”
• Do not kill is one of the 10 commandments
Old Testament Teachings supporting War
But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Exodus 21:23-24
“ There is a time for killing, and a time for healing, a time for tearing down and a time for building up, a time for
tearing and a time for mending, a time for love and the time for hate, a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
Reasons for war
Land – When groups of people want to be in charge of/own particular pieces of land.
Power- People want to rule and be in charge of the country/population.
Money – People want to get rich from the resources available e.g. gold mines, oil fields etc.
Religion – People may want to convert others to their religion or claim a certain piece of land in the name of their
religion.
Civil wars – wars between people living within the same country. People fight for who has control or power of a
particular country.
Christian views towards war and peace
-The teachings of Christianity are peaceful. Jesus taught a message of love and Christianity has a strong pacifist
tradition. Christians do not actively want war. Peace will always be the preferred option. However Christians can and
do accept war if it is just.
Justice : This means fairness; making right a fair situation which has been unjust.
Christians believe it is important that when a crime is committed there is justice, but this means it needs to be fair.
Christian Teachings on Forgiveness
• Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation.
• When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother up to seven times, Jesus told him that he should forgive 7x7
times.
• Jesus said if people do not forgive those who have sinned against them, God will not forgive their sins.
• The Lord’s prayer states that Christians should forgive others. Christianity is based on the concept of forgiveness,
agape and reconciliation.
Christianity teaches that Christians should be committed to forgiveness and reconciliation when there are conflicts
between family and friends. Christians believe that the power of forgiveness and love (agape) can lead to
reconciliation and the ending of conflict.
Violent protest
, War
A conflict between 2 or more sides
For war
In the Old Testament it states on a few occasions that God encouraged people to go to war to defend themselves:
this suggests that war is justified if it is to defend yourself. “You shall destroy them!”
On one occasion Jesus lost his temper at the Temple and overturned a table: this shows that sometimes violence
is needed.
Against War
• Jesus, was very clear in his teachings about LOVE (agape) and PEACE
• Jesus taught that people who followed peace would be rewarded in Heaven – “blessed are the peacemakers”
• Do not kill is one of the 10 commandments
Old Testament Teachings supporting War
But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Exodus 21:23-24
“ There is a time for killing, and a time for healing, a time for tearing down and a time for building up, a time for
tearing and a time for mending, a time for love and the time for hate, a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
Reasons for war
Land – When groups of people want to be in charge of/own particular pieces of land.
Power- People want to rule and be in charge of the country/population.
Money – People want to get rich from the resources available e.g. gold mines, oil fields etc.
Religion – People may want to convert others to their religion or claim a certain piece of land in the name of their
religion.
Civil wars – wars between people living within the same country. People fight for who has control or power of a
particular country.
Christian views towards war and peace
-The teachings of Christianity are peaceful. Jesus taught a message of love and Christianity has a strong pacifist
tradition. Christians do not actively want war. Peace will always be the preferred option. However Christians can and
do accept war if it is just.
