What do religions teach about violence and terrorism?
Religious attitudes to violence, including violent protest and terrorism, and the reasons why conflict arises and why religions condemn or sometimes justify violence.
A focused answer on violence and terrorism for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering causes of conflict, attitudes to violent protest and the condemnation of terrorism.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain why conflict arises, religious attitudes to violence and violent protest, and why religions condemn terrorism. The exam is sensitive about Islam and terrorism, so be clear that mainstream Islam condemns terrorism and that true jihad protects the innocent.
Why conflict arises
Attitudes to violence and protest
Most religious believers prefer peaceful protest and point to figures such as Martin Luther King, a Christian minister who led the civil rights movement non-violently and achieved real change. Some believers, however, accept violence as a last resort against serious injustice when peaceful means have failed, while strict pacifists reject all violence. The general principle is that violence, if ever used, must be a last resort, proportionate and aimed at justice, not revenge.
Terrorism
Both Christianity and Islam condemn terrorism: the use of violence and fear against civilians to achieve political or religious aims. It is rejected because it deliberately harms innocent people, spreads fear, and breaks religious teaching on peace and the rules of just conflict (which require protecting non-combatants). Muslims stress that true jihad is tightly conditioned and explicitly forbids harming the innocent, so terrorism carried out in the name of religion is widely condemned by religious leaders as a distortion of the faith.
For the exam, distinguish carefully between peaceful protest, violent protest and terrorism, because they are not the same and attract different judgements. Peaceful protest (marches, petitions, civil disobedience, as used by Martin Luther King) is widely supported by believers. Violent protest is accepted by some only as a last resort against grave injustice. Terrorism, the deliberate targeting of civilians to spread fear, is condemned by mainstream Christianity and Islam alike. Link this back to the just war conditions and to jihad: both traditions require that the innocent are protected, so attacks on civilians breach core teaching whichever faith is invoked. A strong answer also separates the genuine causes of conflict (greed, self-defence, retaliation, religious and political difference) from any justification for violence, and stresses that explaining why conflict happens is not the same as excusing terrorism.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of AQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
AQA 20182 marksGive two causes of conflict.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Any two of: greed (for land, money or power), self-defence, retaliation for past wrongs, and differences in religion, politics or culture. One mark each for two correct, distinct causes. Keep them brief; no development is needed at this tariff.
AQA 20204 marksExplain two reasons why religions condemn terrorism. Refer to scripture or another source of religious belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Reason one: terrorism harms innocent people, breaking the sanctity of life and the duty to protect non-combatants, "do not take life, which Allah has made sacred" (Qur'an 17:33). Reason two: it spreads fear and breaks religious teaching on peace and the rules of just conflict; true jihad explicitly forbids harming the innocent. Markers reward two distinct, developed reasons plus a source. Stress that mainstream Islam condemns terrorism.
AQA 202212 marks"Violence is never the right response to injustice." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious teaching, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The AO2 evaluation, 5 bands plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: religions teach peace and love of enemies (Matthew 5:44), and peaceful protest like that of Martin Luther King achieved change without violence. Arguments against: some accept violence as a last resort against serious injustice, and the just war theory permits defensive force; allowing evil to continue unchecked could be worse. Use terms (violence, violent protest, peaceful protest, just war). Reach a justified conclusion weighing non-violence against the duty to resist serious injustice.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)