What do religions teach about pacifism and peacemaking?
Religious attitudes to pacifism and non-violence, and the work of religious believers and organisations in peacemaking and reconciliation.
A focused answer on pacifism and peacemaking for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering non-violence, the work of peacemakers, and reconciliation in Christianity and Islam.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to explain religious attitudes to pacifism and non-violence, why some believers reject all violence, and the work of religious believers and organisations in peacemaking and reconciliation. This dot point follows from the just war topic and shows faith in action for peace.
Pacifism and non-violence
Some Christians are committed pacifists. The Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends) are the best-known example, refusing to take part in war and working actively for peace. They base this on the teaching and example of Jesus, who told his followers to "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), and who did not resist arrest with violence. Pacifists also argue that all life is sacred, that violence only breeds more violence, and that lasting peace can only come through peaceful means. Not all Christians are pacifists, however: many accept a just war to defend the innocent, while still regretting war and working for peace. In Islam, while defensive war is permitted under strict conditions, there is also a strong emphasis on peace, mercy and reconciliation, and many Muslims work actively for peace.
Peacemaking and reconciliation
Reconciliation, restoring broken relationships and bringing enemies together, is central to religious peacemaking, because both faiths believe in forgiveness and the healing of relationships, between people and with God. Christian and Muslim leaders and organisations have worked to bring peace after conflict, to support refugees and victims of war, and to build understanding between communities and faiths. Charities supported by believers provide aid in war zones and rebuild after conflict. By praying, protesting, reconciling and helping victims, believers put their teaching on peace into action.
For the exam, be able to define pacifism and non-violence, explain why some Christians (like the Quakers) are pacifists, describe concrete ways believers work for peace and reconciliation, and link this to the just war debate and to forgiveness. A strong Evaluate answer on whether all believers should be pacifists weighs the call to non-violence against the duty to protect the innocent, noting that some accept a just war while still working for peace, and reaches a justified conclusion.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 1RA0 20193 marksOutline three ways religious believers work for peace.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark Outline question (AO1): three accurate, distinct ways. Acceptable points include: praying for peace; protesting peacefully against war; working for reconciliation between enemies; helping victims of conflict through charity; campaigning against weapons; teaching forgiveness and non-violence. One mark for each distinct way, no development needed.
Edexcel 1RA0 20184 marksExplain two reasons why some Christians are pacifists.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons. Reason one: Jesus taught non-violence and love of enemies, "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), so some Christians refuse to fight. Reason two: they believe all life is sacred and that violence only breeds more violence, so peaceful means are the only right way. Two marks for each developed point.
Edexcel 1RA0 20225 marksExplain two ways religious believers try to bring about peace. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed ways plus a source. Way one: believers pray and campaign for peace and protest peacefully against violence and injustice. Way two: they work for reconciliation, bringing enemies together and helping victims of conflict. Support with a source: "blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), or a teaching on making peace. The accurate source secures the fifth mark.
Edexcel 1RA0 202112 marks"All religious believers should be pacifists." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The 12-mark Evaluate question (AO2), plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: Jesus taught non-violence and love of enemies ("turn the other cheek", Matthew 5:39), all life is sacred, and violence breeds violence, so believers should be pacifists. Arguments for a different view: many believers accept a just or defensive war to protect the innocent and resist great evil, and standing by while others suffer may be wrong, so pacifism is not the only faithful response. Use specialist terms (pacifism, non-violence, just war, reconciliation). Reach a justified conclusion weighing non-violence against the duty to protect the innocent. The best answers sustain a line of reasoning.
Related dot points
- Religious teachings on peace and justice, the causes of war, and the conditions of a just war and holy war in Christianity and Islam.
A focused answer on peace, justice and just war for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering teachings on peace and justice, the causes of war, and just war and holy war conditions.
- Religious attitudes to weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons, the effects of war, and religious responses such as helping victims.
A focused answer on weapons of mass destruction and responses to conflict for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering attitudes to nuclear weapons, the effects of war, and helping victims.
- Religious teachings on forgiveness, and attitudes to the treatment of criminals, including prison, corporal punishment and community service.
A focused answer on forgiveness and the treatment of criminals for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering teachings on forgiveness and attitudes to prison, corporal punishment and rehabilitation.
- The future of the Church and mission, the role of the local church, and the role of the worldwide Church, including charity and reconciliation.
A focused answer on the role of the Church for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering mission and evangelism, the local church, the worldwide Church, reconciliation and the work of Christian Aid.
Sources & how we know this
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies A (1RA0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)