Values that shape the theme

Both Christianity and Islam teach believers to work for peace, to seek justice (fairness for all), and to offer forgiveness and reconciliation (restoring broken relationships).

• Peace — an absence of conflict and a state of harmony that believers are called to build.
• Justice — bringing about what is fair and right; putting wrongs right.
• Forgiveness — showing grace to those who have done wrong, rather than seeking revenge.
• Reconciliation — bringing people who were in conflict back together.

Common causes of war

Wars happen for many reasons. Three that the AQA specification highlights are:

• Greed — the desire for more land, resources, wealth or power.
• Self-defence — protecting a country, its people or its allies from attack.
• Retaliation — responding to a previous attack or wrong (though many believers warn this can lead to endless cycles of violence).

Religious concern: most believers see greed and revenge as poor reasons for war. Self-defence is more widely accepted, but many argue force should only ever be a last resort.

Causes of war

When might a war be "just"?

Just War theory sets out conditions a war must meet to be considered morally acceptable. It developed in the Christian tradition, associated with St Augustine and later St Thomas Aquinas.

• Just cause — there is a genuine wrong to put right (e.g. defence against attack).
• Proper (lawful) authority — war is declared by a legitimate government, not an individual.
• Right intention — the aim is to restore peace and good, not revenge or gain.
• Last resort — all peaceful options have been tried first.
• Reasonable chance of success — not fighting a hopeless war that just causes suffering.
• Proportionality — the force used is not greater than needed to achieve the aim.
• Just conduct — the war is fought fairly, distinguishing between combatants and civilians.

Jihad in Islam: greater and lesser

In Islam, jihad means "to struggle" in the way of God. Muslims distinguish two forms:

• The greater jihad — the inner spiritual struggle to overcome sin, be a better person and follow God. This is considered the more important form.
• The lesser jihad — the outward, sometimes military, struggle to defend Islam. It is only permitted under strict conditions: it must be declared by a proper authority, be in defence, and must not harm innocent people.

Key term → meaning

Tap a term on the left, then its meaning on the right.

The belief that violence is never justified

Pacifism is the belief that violence and war are never justified, and that disputes should be settled peacefully. Pacifists actively work as peacemakers.

• Some Christians are pacifists — the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) are well known for refusing to take part in war.
• Pacifists point to Jesus' teachings such as "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek".
• Not all believers are pacifists: some accept that war can be justified in limited cases (e.g. through Just War conditions).

Just War conditions

Nuclear, chemical & biological weapons

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) — nuclear, chemical and biological weapons — can kill huge numbers of people at once. There is fierce debate about whether they can ever be justified.

• Argument for (deterrence): some argue that having WMD deters enemies from attacking, keeping the peace.
• Argument against: WMD cannot discriminate between combatants and civilians, so they break the Just War principle of just conduct.

Violence against civilians

Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation, often against civilians, to achieve political or ideological ends and to spread fear.

• Terrorism deliberately targets innocent people, which breaks the principle of just conduct.
• Mainstream religious teaching condemns terrorism. Christianity, Islam and other faiths teach against harming the innocent.
• No religion should be associated with terrorism — it goes against core teachings on peace, justice and the value of human life.

Religion and terrorism

Helping victims & making peace

Religions do not only teach about conflict — they respond to it. Believers help the victims of war and work for peace and reconciliation.

• Caring for victims — aid, shelter, food and support for refugees and the injured (e.g. through Christian charities and Muslim relief organisations).
• Peacemaking — bringing enemies together, encouraging forgiveness and rebuilding trust.
• Speaking out — faith leaders call for justice, an end to violence, and disarmament.

Which idea is this?

Tap a description, then tap the box that matches.

Just War ↔ Pacifism

Tap a statement, then the position it best fits.

The greater jihad

Weapons of mass destruction

The ideas to know

You've covered the AQA theme of Religion, Peace and Conflict. Press Finish to see your score.