War and peace: Christian attitudes to war, the Just War theory, Christian pacifism and the example of peacemakers, attitudes to nuclear weapons, and teaching on forgiveness and reconciliation.

What this dot point is asking

You need to explain Christian attitudes to war and peace: the Just War theory, Christian pacifism and peacemakers, attitudes to nuclear weapons, and teaching on forgiveness and reconciliation. CCEA examiners reward precise knowledge of Christian teaching, an awareness that Christians hold a range of views, and balanced evaluation. The strongest answers explain the reasons and the conditions behind a view, not just whether war is right or wrong.

Christian attitudes to war

So Christian thinking on war runs between two poles: the call to peace and the love of enemies on one side, and the duty to protect the innocent from evil on the other.

The Just War theory

The Just War theory sets out conditions that must be met for a war to be considered justified. The main conditions are:

• Just cause - there must be a good reason, such as self-defence or protecting the innocent.
• Proper authority - war must be declared by a lawful authority, such as a government, not by individuals.
• Last resort - all peaceful means must have been tried first.
• Proportionality - the force used must not cause more harm than the good it seeks.
• Reasonable chance of success - war should not be waged hopelessly.
• Right conduct - the war must be fought justly, protecting civilians and treating prisoners fairly.

Only if these conditions are met do many Christians believe a war can be justified, which shows how seriously they take the decision to fight.

Christian pacifism and peacemakers

Pacifism is a serious and faithful Christian position, rooted directly in the teaching and example of Jesus.

Nuclear weapons, forgiveness and reconciliation

Many Christians have particular concerns about nuclear weapons, because their huge destructive power could kill vast numbers of civilians and cause lasting harm, which breaks the Just War conditions of proportionality and protecting the innocent. Some Christians therefore oppose nuclear weapons altogether, while others accept them only as a deterrent to prevent war. Underlying all Christian thinking on conflict is the teaching of Jesus on forgiveness and reconciliation: Christians are called to forgive, to seek peace, and to work for the healing of broken relationships, both between individuals and between communities and nations.

How to answer a question on war and peace

A model paragraph built from this method: "Christian pacifism is the belief that war and violence are always wrong and that disputes should be settled peacefully. Pacifists base this on Jesus' teaching to 'love your enemies' and 'turn the other cheek,' and on his title Prince of Peace. Groups such as the Quakers are well known for their pacifism and their work for peace, showing faith put into action." This scores highly because it explains the reasons and links them to the teaching of Jesus.

Try this

Q1. What is pacifism? [2 marks]

• Cue. The belief that war and violence are always wrong and that disputes should be settled peacefully.

Q2. Give two conditions of the Just War theory. [2 marks]

• Cue. A just cause, proper authority, last resort, proportionality, a reasonable chance of success, or right conduct protecting civilians.

Q3. Why do many Christians have concerns about nuclear weapons? [2 marks]

• Cue. Their huge destructive power could kill many civilians and cause lasting harm, breaking the Just War conditions of proportionality and protecting the innocent.