Revision note for RS ethics - PACIFISM AND TERRORISM

PACIFISM

PACIFISM: the belief that it is unacceptable to take part in war and any other form of violence.

Biblical teaching suggests that peace is a better way forward. These teachings and others have led some Christians to dedicate themselves against acts of violence, no matter what the justification.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PACIFISM

• VIOLENCE ALLOWED FOR PERSONAL DEFENCE, NOT WARFARE.
• NEUTRALITY(REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED IT MILITARY CONFLICT). I.e. Jehovah's witnesses
• NON-VIOLENCE (A STRONG PACIFIST POSITION REJECTING ALL VIOLENCE).
• NON COMBATANCY (REFUSAL TO BE INVOLVED IN MILITARY COMBAT)

During WWI, Quakers and other pacifists supported people who refused to join the army because of their religious beliefs. They were often given dangerous tasks such as:

• Being sent out onto the battlefields to bring in the dead and wounded
• In WWII, pacifists drove ambulances
• Travelling abroad to places where troops were fighting and providing first aid and rescue for soldiers
• They were all unarmed

THE MENNONITES however believe that Christ's instruction to love you enemy means they cannot participate in any way in military action.

TERRORISM

WHAT IS TERRORISM?

Terrorism is when groups use violence, or threat of violence, to achieve their aims, rather than using a democratic process. The violence is often indiscriminate, to create maximum fear.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TERRORISM?

There are many different causes, sometimes very local ones, sometime national or international. Causes include: 

• A sense of not having any political influence
• Political, social and economic inequality
• Economic problems and high unemployment
• Religious extremism
• Ethnic conflict

TERRORISM AFTER 9/11 AND 7/7

Today terrorism is seen in the light of radical militant Islamic attack, especially after the 9/11 and 7/7 bombings. These groups identify grievances to justify their actions including the war in Iraq. Terrorism now has a global dimension, as many parts of the world are affected.

THE THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY

• Members of the Muslim communities are fearful that they will be seen in the same terms as the radical militant Islamists
• Governments, worried about terrorism, restrict freedoms in an attempt to protect the public
• The terrorist themselves spread fear as well as death through their actions

CHRISTIAN RESPONSES 

The overwhelming majority of Christians oppose terrorism. Christians believe that terrorism:

• prevents reconciliation between different people's
• Aggregates problems and tensions
• Leads to suffering and harm

 Christian responses to terrorism indicate that, even if force is necessary against terrorism, it it essential both to address the causes of terrorism and to promote respect for every human being and the unity of humanity