When, if ever, do religious believers think war is justified?
The just war theory, holy war, pacifism, and religious attitudes to weapons of mass destruction.
A focused answer on just war, holy war, pacifism and weapons of mass destruction for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering the just war criteria, holy war, types of pacifism, and religious attitudes to WMDs, from Christian and Muslim perspectives.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain when, if ever, believers think war is justified: the just war theory, the idea of holy war, pacifism, and religious attitudes to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). This pairs with the dot point on peace, conflict and forgiveness to cover the Religion, peace and conflict theme. The topic feeds evaluation questions on whether believers should ever fight, so you need the content, both religions' views, the range within each, and the sources.
The just war theory
Most Christians and Muslims accept that war can be justified on these terms. Islam's idea of the lesser jihad (a defensive, rule-bound struggle) overlaps with just war thinking: the Qur'an permits fighting those who fight you "but do not transgress limits" (Surah 2:190). The theory's purpose is to limit war and protect the innocent.
Holy war and pacifism
Pacifism is grounded in teachings like "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) and "you shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The Quakers (the Society of Friends) are a historic Christian peace church that refuses to fight. So believers range from pacifists (never fight) to just war supporters (fight only under strict conditions), which is exactly what the evaluation question tests.
Weapons of mass destruction
WMDs sharpen every debate about war: even those who accept the just war theory often conclude that modern weapons make a "just" war much harder to fight.
Try this
Q1. Name four conditions of the just war theory. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Any four of: just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, last resort, reasonable chance of success, proportionality, protection of civilians.
Q2. Explain why most believers oppose weapons of mass destruction. [Short explanation]
- Cue. WMDs kill civilians indiscriminately and cause disproportionate, lasting harm, breaking the just war rules of protecting non-combatants and proportionality, so they cannot be used justly; many faith leaders call for disarmament.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J625 20182 marksGive two conditions of the just war theory.Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark AO1 question, 1 mark per point. Give two distinct conditions, for example that the war must have a just cause and be declared by a legitimate authority. Other acceptable conditions include: it must be a last resort, fought with the right intention, have a reasonable chance of success, use proportionate force, and protect civilians. Markers want two separate conditions, so do not repeat the same one.
OCR J625 20206 marksExplain religious attitudes to pacifism. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain that pacifism is the belief that violence and war are always wrong and that disputes should be settled peacefully. Develop the religious basis: Jesus taught "turn the other cheek" and "blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), and Quakers refuse to fight; some Muslims emphasise peace too, though Islam is not generally pacifist. Note conditional pacifism (opposing some wars, like nuclear war). Anchor in sources: Matthew 5:9 and 5:39, and the commandment "you shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources and the range of pacifist views.
OCR J625 202215 marks"No religious believer should ever fight in a war." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark AO2 evaluation question. Argue both sides. Arguments for the statement: pacifists hold all violence is wrong; Jesus taught to turn the other cheek and love enemies, and Quakers refuse to fight, so some believers conclude they should never fight. Arguments against: most Christians accept the just war theory, that war can be justified to defend the innocent under strict conditions, and Islam permits defensive fighting (the lesser jihad) within limits, so a believer may fight in a just war. Use specialist terms (pacifism, just war, lesser jihad, proportionality). A justified conclusion weighs the pacifist ideal against the duty to protect the innocent through a just war.
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