edexcel unit 8 christian attitudes to war

DO NOW…Can war ever be right (or ‘just’)?

Find at least three ways in which war can be acceptable (or ‘just’)

Turn to page 68 in

the textbook.

Term 3: Religion: Peace & Conflict1. Different Attitudes to Transplant Surgery In

Christianity

2. Why Wars Occur

3. The United Nations & World Peace

4. Differences Among

Christians In Their Attitudes

to War

5. The Attitudes to War of One Religion

Other Than Christianity

6. Christian Attitudes to

Bullying

6. Assessment5. Revision

Title: Christian Attitudes to War1 May 2023

Learning: to select 3 Christian arguments FOR and three AGAINST the act of war (E/D Grade)Mastering: explain Jesus’ teachings and the beliefs of Quaker Christians on the act of war (C/B Grade)Extending: to express an opinion on whether Christians should ever fight in wars (A/A*)

Match the word with the correct definition

Weapons of Mass

Destruction

A war that is fought for the right reasons and in a right way

Just War

Pacifism

The belief that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means

Weapons which can destroy large areas and numbers of people

1. Choose an objective2. Decide on your target grade3. Copy the definition into your lesson

template

Typical Questions …

(b) Do you think wars can ever be justified? (4)(b) Do you think Christians should fight in wars? (4)(c) Explain why some Christians are against fighting in wars, but some are not. (8)(d) ‘Christians should support wars if they are fought for just reasons.’ Do you agree? (6)For all these

questions, you need to know

and understand Just War Theory

HOW TO LEARN JUST WAR THEORY…

Use the following acronym to Just War theory…Stewie, Peter and Chris Love Eating Red Jam

Turn to page 68 in

the textbook.

SUFFICIENT FORCE!

The force used in the war must be

PROPORTIONAL to the cause

S

The war must be fought by the

PROPER AUTHORITY

of a government or the United

Nations.

PA

There must be CONTROLLED

VIOLENCE

Methods used should AVOID

KILLING CIVILIANS

C

A war is just if it is begun as the LAST

RESORT

L

It must be fought to ESTABLISH GOOD. It must be fought to

restore peace. E

RThere must be a REASONABLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS

The war must be fought for a JUST CAUSE

J

Watch the following clip carefully and SELECT ideas to complete the following...

Some Christians agree with going to war because…

1.

2.

3.

Some Christians disagree with going to war because…

1.

2.

3.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS GO TO WAR?…

Should Christians go to WAR?

Some say NO – Christianity is a religion of

PEACE!

Some say YES – As long as the war is

JUST!

Case Study

1. Study one of the four case studies in pairs. 2. Decide whether the war was just:

• First Gulf War• The Vietnam War• The Falklands War• World War II

15

Feedback

Were any of the wars just?• First Gulf War• The Vietnam War• The Falklands War• World War IIAre there any conditions for a just war upon which we can agree?

16

The JUST WAR THEORY is now

accepted by most Churches and has

been used to justify many recent wars

including both World Wars, the Gulf War and the Falkland's

War.ADD THE

FOLLOWING ON TO YOUR AGREE LIST (if you don’t have them already)...

Some Christians say…

Retaliation is allowed as long as the force is sufficient.

God sometimes

supports war – HOLY WAR!

Christians have a DUTY to

obey those in authority

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing

authorities, for there is no authority except that

which God has established”

(Romans 13:1)

Sometimes war is the lesser of two EVILS!

Some Christians say…

A number of Christian groups, such as the Quakers and Pax Christi have all refused to engage in any kind of violent struggle and have declared that they

will not resist those who attack them. These groups choose PACIFISM because...

ADD THE FOLLOWING ON TO YOUR DISAGREE LIST (if you don’t have them already)...

The Bible has a

message of peace.

This was the title given to him in the bible as he promoted peace and forgiveness

PRINCE OF PEACE

Nuclear weapons and WMD can cause suffering and the death of the innocent

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO…The first place a Christian will go if they have a moral question is the bible and the teachings of

Jesus...

Look at the following biblical quotes...

1. READ each of the quotes and decide whether they are FOR or AGAINST the act of war.

2. CHOOSE any TWO and EXPLAIN their meaning.

3. What is the PROBLEM?

Summary• The Bible has a message of peace.

• Most Christians believe they should work towards establishing peace and ending war.

• Most of Jesus’ teachings surrounded the topic of peace and forgiveness.

• The New Testament continually encourages Christians to seek peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

The problem...Some Christians believe war can be fought as a last resort to achieve

peace and reconciliation.

Some Christians, such as Quakers are

ABSOLUTE PACIFISTS.

What do you think

this means?

Selective Pacifists = no engagement in military activity in some circumstances.Nuclear Pacifists = no use of Nuclear Weapons

...they will have no engagement

in military activity at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loeayUFi3B8

What do Quakers think of war and why?

Do you agree that if everyone shared the

view of QUAKERS there would be no wars?

Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.

(3)Give reasons why

someone may disagree with you. (3)

In your answer you should refer to

Christianity.

‘Christians should support wars if they are fought for just reasons.’

Draw a pyramid in the back of your books and spit it into 3...

What have you learnt today?

What have you been reminded of today?

Think of a question you would like answering.

PLENARY…Summary clip