GCSE Religious Studies - Attitudes to war

Christian and Hindu attitudes to war and the just war theory

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  • Created by: Lollipop
  • Created on: 30-05-12 16:01

Attitudes to War - Christain Views

1. Pacifism is when a person refuses to fight or be involved in any violent actions including wars. They believe this because: Jesus taught that we should love thy neighbour which cannot be achieved if fighting and trying to kill our neighbours. 5th commandment says not to kill and these commandments should be followed.

2. Can fight in a Just War. The majority of people believe that fighting and killing are wrong but they might agree that in some situations that war is inevitable, particularly for defence. They believe that a war can be fought if it is just and a just war is judged on these conditions:

  •    it must be fought by a legal recognised authority, e.g., a government
  •   the cause of the war must be just
  • the war must be fought with the intention to establish good or correct evil
  • there must be a reasonable chance of success
  • the war must be the last resort
  •   only sufficient force must be used and civilians must not be involved
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Attitudes to War - Hindu Views

1. Pacifism. Many Hindu’s believe in ahimsa (non-violence) which means that they should not be violent towards others and war should be avoided. They also think that violence will bring them bad karma.


2. Can fight in a Just War- Some people in Hindu society have a duty (dharma) to fight and protect others in society. This means that it is ok for the people that have this dharma to fight a war that is in defence. The Hindu’s holy book says that warriors who have the dharma of defending others can fight in a just war and not be afraid of being killed or killing others as the soul is not harmed in death just the body. However there are many laws about fighting that must be followed if a war is taking place: civilians, woman, children must not be harmed and you should not attack from behind.


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