When, if ever, is it right to go to war?
The causes of war, the theory of a just war and the conditions for it, holy war, and religious attitudes to whether war can ever be justified.
A focused answer on war for AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062), covering the causes of war, the just war theory and its conditions, holy war and religious attitudes.
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What this dot point is asking
AQA wants you to explain the causes of war, the just war theory and its conditions, the idea of holy war, and religious attitudes to whether war can be justified. The exam expects several just war conditions and a clear contrast between those who accept a just war and pacifists.
Causes of war
The just war theory
These conditions fall into reasons for going to war (jus ad bellum) and the way it is fought (jus in bello). A war is only just if all the relevant conditions are met; if any is broken (for example, civilians are deliberately targeted), the war becomes unjust even if the cause was good. The theory tries to limit war and reduce suffering, treating war as sometimes a necessary evil rather than a good.
Holy war and religious attitudes
A holy war is fought to defend or promote religion, traditionally believed to be commanded or blessed by God. In Christian history this included the Crusades; in Islam it links to lesser jihad fought under strict conditions to defend the faith or the oppressed. Religious attitudes to war differ: many Christians and Muslims accept that a just war can be necessary to defend the innocent and resist evil, while pacifists, such as Quakers, argue that all war is wrong and contradicts Jesus' teaching to love enemies. Both sides appeal to scripture, which is why this is a common evaluation question.
For the exam, you should be able to compare the Christian just war theory with Islamic lesser jihad, since both set strict conditions before force is allowed (a just cause, proper authority, last resort, protecting the innocent). This comparison shows that neither tradition gives a blank cheque for war. It also helps to connect the causes of war to the conditions: a war fought from greed for land or resources fails the "just cause" test, whereas defending a country or the oppressed from attack can satisfy it. Keep the contrasting positions clear: the just war position says war can sometimes be the lesser evil and a moral duty to protect others, while the pacifist position says all war is wrong because it contradicts the command to love even enemies. A strong answer weighs these against each other rather than simply describing each in turn.
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 conditions of the just war theory.Show worked answer →
A 2-mark AO1 question. Any two of: a just cause, declared by a proper authority, with a good intention, as a last resort, with a reasonable chance of success, using proportionate force that protects civilians. One mark each for two correct conditions. No development is needed at this tariff, but use the standard wording.
AQA 20204 marksExplain two religious attitudes to whether war can ever be justified. Refer to scripture or another source of religious belief in your answer.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark AO1 question. Attitude one: a just war can be acceptable to defend the innocent or resist evil if the just war conditions are met, a view held by many Christians and Muslims and developed by Aquinas. Attitude two: pacifists reject all war, following Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) and "blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9). Markers reward two distinct, developed attitudes plus a source. Attribute each view to a tradition or thinker.
AQA 202212 marks"War can never be holy." 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: killing contradicts "you shall not murder" and Jesus' teaching of love and peace, so calling any war holy misuses religion. Arguments against: some traditions accept defensive holy war or lesser jihad under strict conditions to protect the faith or the oppressed, and the just war theory shows war can be morally justified. Use terms (holy war, just war, jihad, pacifism). Reach a justified conclusion weighing the call to peace against the duty to defend the innocent.
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Sources & how we know this
- AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062) specification — AQA (2016)