fairness; bringing about what is fair and right

letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on

making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups or sides after disagreement

The meaning and significance of peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

Religious education

Violence, including violent protest

Contrasting religious views about violence

Reasons for war

Religion as a cause of war and Holy War

The Just War theory

Terrorism

Pacifism

Different religious views about pacifism

Nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence

Weapons of mass destruction

Different religious views about weapons of mass destruction

Religion and peace-making

Religious responses to victims of war

The work of Christian Aid for victims of war

In this unit pupils examine ideas of violence and how some religions justify war in terms of holy or just war. They will move on to examine specific ideas such as nuclear war and terrorism. Finally they will examine the role of religion in finding and making peace.

Religion, peace and conflict

the use of physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill

anger about something morally wrong, with the aim of making things right in a fair and just way

doing something to help others, even if it’s personally difficult, without expecting a reward

a serious disagreement or fight, which can be between people, groups, or countries; can sometimes lead to war

unfair treatment of people, often because of their religion, beliefs, or identity; some religious teachings allow self-defence if people are being persecuted

the final option when every other choice has been tried or is not possible

protecting yourself or others when under attack

fighting back after being harmed or attacked

the reasons given to explain or defend something

a war believed to be sanctioned or commanded by God, often fought to defend a faith, secure religious territory, or convert others to a religion

a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages, primarily over control of Jerusalem and other holy sites

understanding a religious text as using symbols or metaphors, rather than taking the words literally

a set of ethical principles used to decide whether war is morally acceptable

an ethical theory that emphasises making moral decisions based on the specific situation, rather than relying on fixed rules

someone who believes that all forms of violence are wrong and therefore refuse to participate in war or any other form of violence

the opposite of war; harmony between all in society

use of violence and threats to intimidate others; used for political purposes to build fear in the ordinary population and to secure demands from Government

behaviour involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage

belief that all violence is wrong, which then affects all behaviours

set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God

a weapon of mass destruction which uses a nuclear reaction to cause widespread damage and loss of life

having nuclear weapons with the aim of deterring/preventing other states attacking for fear of retaliation and nuclear war (possibly leading to Mutually Assured Destruction)

a weapon of mass destruction which uses living organisms like bacteria, viruses or toxins to infect and damage the body

a weapon of mass destruction which uses man-made toxic substances to harm the body through inhalation, skin contact or eye exposure

weapons which cause widespread, indiscriminate damage (eg nuclear, chemical, biological)

weapons which cause widespread, indiscriminate damage (e.g. nuclear, chemical, biological)

working to bring about peace and reconciliation

making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups/sides after disagreement

feeling deep concern for someone who is suffering and being moved to take action to help them

someone who has been forced to flee their home country due to war, violence, persecution or disaster and seeks safety in another country

those who are harmed during a war, for example those killed, injured or left homeless

a Christian charity founded in 1945 that tackles poverty, injustice, and inequality through aid and advocacy

Religion, peace and conflict

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