Pacifism

Religious education

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

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

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

The belief that war is sometimes necessary

The belief that self-defence is always right

What does Kantian ethics focus on when making moral decisions?

Bertrand Russell believed that using force against {{}} in World War II might have been necessary to prevent greater harm.

The International {{}} Group works to reduce violence by advising governments and encouraging peaceful dialogue.

What % of British people said they believed 'definitely' or 'probably' will be a time when there are no wars?

True – Pacifism is only about being against war

False – Pacifism only applies to self-defence, not war

False – Pacifism is about rejecting all violence, not just war

Terrorism is the use of {{}} and threats to intimidate others and build fear.

Which of these is a social cause of terrorism?

Which of these is not a religious terrorist group?

What is a key Christian response to terrorism?

It teaches terrorism opposes Christian faith

It says Christians should ignore terrorism

What does the World Council of Churches teach about terrorism?

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Pacifism

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.