What do religious believers teach about peace, conflict and forgiveness?
Religious teachings on peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, the causes of war, religion and terrorism, and responses to the victims of war.
A focused answer on religious teachings about peace and conflict for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, the causes of war, religion and terrorism, and responses to victims of war, from Christian and Muslim perspectives.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain religious teachings on peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, the causes of war (greed, self-defence, retaliation), religion and terrorism, and responses to the victims of war, from the perspective of your chosen religion (Christianity or Islam). This is the core of the Religion, peace and conflict theme (the rules for fighting are covered in the paired dot point on just war and pacifism). The topic feeds evaluation questions on forgiveness and conflict, so you need the content, both religions' views, and the sources.
Peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation
A famous example is Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which sought healing after apartheid through truth-telling and forgiveness rather than revenge.
The causes of war
So believers do not treat all war the same: wars of greed and revenge are condemned, while genuine self-defence may be justified under strict conditions (developed in the just war dot point).
Religion and terrorism
Responses to the victims of war
War leaves victims: the injured, the bereaved, refugees and those who have lost homes and livelihoods. Religions teach a duty to help them. Believers respond with prayer, with practical aid through charities (such as Christian Aid, CAFOD and Islamic Relief), and with peace-building and reconciliation work. This puts into action the command to love your neighbour and care for "the least of these" (Matthew 25), and Islam's strong emphasis on charity (Zakah and Sadaqah) and mercy.
Try this
Q1. Name three causes of war that religions reflect on. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Greed (wanting land, power or resources), self-defence (protecting people from attack), and retaliation (revenge for a past wrong).
Q2. Explain how religious believers might help the victims of war. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Through prayer, practical aid via charities (such as Christian Aid, CAFOD or Islamic Relief), and peace-building and reconciliation work, putting into action the command to love their neighbour and care for those in need.
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 20193 marksDescribe religious teachings about forgiveness.Show worked answer →
This is the 3-mark AO1 question, rewarding a developed description or several points. Religious believers teach that people should forgive those who wrong them, just as God forgives. Christians are taught to forgive "seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22) and to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44); Muslims are taught that Allah is the Most Merciful and that forgiving others is rewarded. Forgiveness brings reconciliation and inner peace. Three accurate points, or one developed point, reach full marks.
OCR J625 20216 marksExplain religious attitudes to the causes of war. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain that religions identify causes of war such as greed (wanting land, power or resources), self-defence (protecting people from attack) and retaliation (revenge for a past wrong). Develop the religious response: greed and revenge are condemned, while self-defence may be accepted within limits. Anchor in sources: the Christian teaching against the love of money ("the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil", 1 Timothy 6:10) and to "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), and the Qur'an's permission to fight only in defence and "do not transgress limits" (Surah 2:190). The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.
OCR J625 202315 marks"Religious believers should always forgive, even the worst crimes." 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: Christianity teaches unlimited forgiveness ("seventy-seven times", Matthew 18:22) and to love enemies; Islam praises mercy and forgiveness; forgiveness frees the victim and enables reconciliation, as in Desmond Tutu's work. Arguments against: justice matters too, and forgiveness does not always mean no punishment; some argue serious crimes require accountability, and that forgiveness must be matched by repentance; victims should not be pressured to forgive. Use specialist terms (forgiveness, reconciliation, justice, mercy). A justified conclusion weighs the duty to forgive against the demands of justice and the rights of victims.
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