Peace and Reconciliation and Reconciliation

General Attitudes to War Current Conflicts P1 S3.1 +3.2 - Conflict and War + Peace and Reconciliation and Reconciliation Causes of war Different Approaches to war Organisations working for peace P1 S3.1 +3.2 - Conflict and War + Peace and Reconciliation and Reconciliation 1. General 1.1. The causes of conflict and war in the world today, including economic reasons, religious reasons, historical reasons and social reasons. The study of three current areas of conflict. 1.2. Christian responses to the causes of conflict. Teachings about war and peace as shown in the Bible. Christian teachings about war: Holy war, the nature, history and impo fance of the Just War Theory; whether Just War is possible.; attitudes to use of WMD; conflict and terrorism. 2. Attitudes to War 2.1. Christian views 2.1.1. What do they think? 2.1.1.1. War is wrong, Jesus was a pacifist, but many Christians think just war is correct 2.1.1.2. Christians believe in justice 2.1.2. Why might they say this? 2.1.2.1. Belief in forgiveness not conflict, it is not agapeistic 2.1.3. Bible quotes / support for these views 2.1.3.1. 10 commandments 'do not murder' - goes against sanctity of life to kill 2.1.3.2. 'made in the image of God' 2.1.3.3. HOWEVER for defence/justice -> Old testament - 'An eye for an eye' (jesus objected to this) 2.2. The development of christian views 2.2.1. For the first 300-400 years, Christians were pacifists 2.2.2. Then as Christianity became more powerful, Christians engaged in Holy Wars, e.g. The crusades 2.2.3. In the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas developed the principles of Just War – the theory that war can be justified in some situations. 2.2.4. Today Christians have different views on war and conflict: some still follow the principles of Just War and others are pacifists, but almost all now reject the idea of Holy War. 2.2.5. Christianity started off as pacifism + were persecutred because didn’t support the war of the emperor, then constantine had a vision and converted to Christianity then became very violent (the crusades), now Just war is most widely followed 3. Causes of war 3.1. reasons for war 3.1.1. Fighting over land/resources 3.1.2. Historical/political - disagreement about who has power over a region 3.1.3. Border disputes 3.1.4. Political/ ideological differences 3.1.5. Religious differences 3.1.6. Self-defence 3.1.7. Protecting people from persecution 3.1.8. Protecting human rights 3.1.9. Greed, ignorance, selfishness, sin = human nature; is war inevitable? 3.2. World Leaders thoughts of war: 3.2.1. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on beaches..... we shal never surrender. - Winston Churchhill 3.2.2. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission. JFK 3.3. Soldiers thoughts 3.3.1. I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can only one who has seen it's brutality, its futility, its stupididty, Dwight D. Eisenhower 3.3.2. Soldiers fighting for the people, government for the countries 4. Organisations working for peace 4.1. 1 religious (Quakers), 1 non-religious (the UN, human rights) 4.2. The Quakers 4.2.1. how they work for peace 4.2.1.1. Call for grassroots (working from the bottom up, start with education) action and political change 4.2.1.2. We work with different churches and faith traditions, and we offer a faith voice in secular networks and campaigns 4.2.1.3. Challenging militarism 4.2.1.4. Promoting peace education, workshops, courses and resources for groups working for nonviolent social change by promoting inner, inter-personal and international peace 4.2.1.5. Campaigning for nuclear disarmament 4.2.1.6. Ending the arms trade 4.2.1.7. Opposing armed drones 4.2.1.8. Understanding conscientious objection 4.2.1.9. Rethinking security 4.3. The United Nations 4.3.1. background/ what is it 4.3.1.1. a world parliment with representatives from every (recognised) country of the world 4.3.1.2. 193 current members 4.3.1.3. was set up in 1945, after WW2, to promote peace 4.3.1.4. in 2015 itt set 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). These are specific targets for the world's future to achieve by 2030 4.3.2. how they work for peace 4.3.2.1. What are the aims and goals of the UN? (Aim for 4 aims and 8 goals) 4.3.2.1.1. To promote international peace + security 4.3.2.1.2. To develop friendly relations between countries 4.3.2.1.3. To work to solve international problems – economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems 4.3.2.1.4. To promote respect for human rights 4.3.2.1.5. Expressed goal of preventing another world war 4.3.2.1.6. Deals with : Economics, social policy, human rights + culture 4.3.2.1.7. Security council - only 15 members – China, France, Russia, UK, USA 4.3.2.1.8. General assembly – world parliament each country has one seat and one vote, ambassadors meet from around the world, 192 seats 4.3.2.1.9. Secretary 4.3.2.1.10. International court of justice 4.3.2.2. What methods does it use to work for peace? (Aim for 4-6) 4.3.2.2.1. Peace-keeping forces (special soldiers) to help restore order in countries with violent conflicts 4.3.2.2.2. Declaration Human rights 4.3.2.2.3. Imposes economic sanctions to pressurize countries to comply with agreements 4.3.2.2.4. The international court of justice helps settle legal disputes between countries 4.3.2.2.5. Employ civilians, e.g. teacher, doctor and lawyers to help with social and development work, to combat hunger, disease and poverty in specific regions. 4.3.2.2.6. Support international treaties regulating production of nuclear weapons 5. Different Approaches to war 5.1. Pacifism 5.1.1. What is pacifism? 5.1.1.1. Pacifism is rooted in the Latin word 'pacificus' (peace making) the belief that it is never justified to use violence harming or killing other people when solving conflicts. 5.1.2. What are some of the methods pacifists might support in order to bring about peace? 5.1.2.1. Encouraging opposing sides to talk to each other to achieve reconciliation 5.1.2.2. Campaigning against oppressive governments (diplomacy) 5.1.2.3. Keeping people informed of injustices around the world 5.1.2.4. Encouraging non-violent protest 5.1.2.5. Economic sanctions 5.1.2.6. Boycots 5.1.2.7. Strikes 5.1.2.8. demonstrations 5.1.3. Which Christian denomination is most associated with pacifism? 5.1.3.1. Quakers 5.1.4. What are conscientious objectors? 5.1.4.1. a group of First World War Quakers who founded the no-conscription fellowship, supported people who refuse to join the army on religious or ethical grounds 5.1.5. What are ‘nuclear pacifists’ and why might Christians hold this belief? 5.1.5.1. They believe that conventional weapons are needed in the modern world. 5.1.6. Bible quotes supporting Christian pacifism 5.1.6.1. 'You shall not murder.' (Exodus 20:13) Ten Commandments 5.1.6.2. 'Blessed are the peacemakers.' (Matthew 5:9) NT (speaking – Jesus, sermon and the mount) 5.1.6.3. 'Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.' (Matthew 5:44) 5.1.6.4. 'turn the other cheek' / 'do not repay evil with evil' - Jesus (if someone hits you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek) - Non-retaliation (not even self-defence) because it makes people think before acting, shocks them 5.1.6.5. 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.' (Matthew 5:39) NT (Jesus) 5.1.6.6. 'all who take the sword will die by the sword' - Jesus (his pacifist attitude, at his arrest he doesn’t retaliate, tells off his disciple for trying to hurt the person arresting him) - kind, agapestic response to violence/aggression. 5.1.7. Christianity has become aggressive, sold out on its principles / has become realistic 5.2. Just War Theory 5.2.1. In the 13th century St Thomas Aquinas (a christian monk + influential theologia, drew up some conditions for a just was, partialy based on ideas of Augustine in the 4th century 5.2.2. war is not good but is sometimes the lesser of two evils in complex political situations 5.2.3. Conditions 5.2.3.1. Just cause 5.2.3.1.1. Reason (protect people etc) 5.2.3.1.2. Provoked 5.2.3.2. Just Intention 5.2.3.2.1. Bring justice 5.2.3.2.2. Not to get more land power 5.2.3.2.3. Has to have good intention, positive ending 5.2.3.3. Last Resort 5.2.3.3.1. Everything else must be tried before war 5.2.3.3.2. war should not be taken lightly 5.2.3.4. Reasonable chance of success 5.2.3.4.1. Has to have a chance of success, no point causing harm for no reason 5.2.3.5. Proportionality (minimum force) 5.2.3.5.1. What weapons are used (proportionality), how they affect people 5.2.3.6. Discrimination (civilians should not be harmed) 5.3. Holy War 5.3.1. holy war : fighting a war on behalf of God 5.3.2. facts/questions 5.3.2.1. What is a Holy War? 5.3.2.1.1. Fighting on the behalf of God 5.3.2.2. When and why did this tradition begin in Christianity? 5.3.2.2.1. When the church gained more political power under the emperor Constantine who made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire (312 AD) (1095 –1291) 5.3.2.3. What is the most famous example of a Holy War? 5.3.2.3.1. The crusades – in the middle ages, Christians fought Muslims to try to regain Jerusalem (11th to 14th centuries) 5.3.2.3.2. The crusades – when Christians fought Muslims over Jerusalem. 5.3.2.4. What Bible verses could be used to support the idea of Holy War? 5.3.2.4.1. 'he overturned the tables now go and attack' (when jesus went into the monastries and overturned the tables as there were money lenders) 5.3.2.4.2. 'prepare for war' 5.3.2.4.3. 'Now go attack...destroy everything they have', 'the Lord your God will deliver them over to you' 5.3.2.5. Why do you think almost all Christians have now rejected the idea of Holy War? 5.3.2.5.1. Now Christian's are more inclusive, not exclusive, goes against the sanctity of life. 5.3.2.5.2. Christians reject the racism of the time because 'God does not show favouritism' (unlike the popes speech in 1095, 'rescue the Holy Land from that dreadful race.') 5.3.2.5.3. Because the crusades has many atrocities committed during the war and now viewed as a very outdated belief that holds values which today's society does not agree with. 6. Current Conflicts 6.1. Yemen Conflict 6.1.1. 1) Who is fighting whom 6.1.1.1. Armed groups of the Houthi movement in Yemen, supported by Iran, 6.1.1.2. against United States of America with a coalition of other states: United Kingdom, Bahrain, 6.1.1.3. Canada, Germany, Greece, South Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri 6.1.1.4. Lanka. Several other governments are involved anonymously. 6.1.2. 2) The trigger event 6.1.2.1. Following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 6.1.2.2. 2023, the Houthis began attacking shipping in the Red Sea - 26 ships since Nov (according to 6.1.2.3. US military figures). 11 Jan 2024 US and UK fighter jets hit nearly 30 locations in Houthi 6.1.2.4. controlled Yemen including command centres, drone launch site and munitions depot. 6.1.3. 3) What is it about? 6.1.3.1. US and allies - freedom of navigation, protection of international trade 6.1.3.2. (goods from Asia to Europe). Houthi - targeting ships of Israelis and supporting countries who 6.1.3.3. are murdering and destroying the livelihoods of Palestinians in Gaza 6.1.4. 4) How it is fought? 6.1.4.1. fought: 26 Houthi attacks on ships since Nov (according to US military figures); drone attacks and anti-ship ballistic missiles. 11 Jan 2024 US and UK fighter jets hit nearly 30 locations in Houthi controlled Yemen including command centres, drone launch site and munitions depot. 6.1.5. 5) Casualties 6.1.5.1. unknown, believed minimal. 6.1.5.2. In the entire conflict: 377,000+ people killed overall; 150,000+ from violence (20142021; 6.1.5.3. UN); 85,000 Yemeni children dead from starvation (2015-2018; Save the Children); 4,000 6.1.5.4. dead from cholera epidemic; 4 million people cumulatively displaced (2015-2020, UNHCR); 6.1.5.5. 500+ killed in Saudi Arabia by Houthi attacks (2014-2016, Saudi Arabia figure); 3 civilians 6.1.5.6. killed in the UAE. 6.2. Israel and Gaza 6.2.1. 1)Who is fighting whom? 6.2.1.1. State of Israel fighting Hamas (a terrorist group) or (the elected government of gaza) 6.2.1.2. UK, Israel, USA, Canada all agree it is a terrorist group 6.2.1.3. Some say it is the elected government of gaza (elected in 2006, hasn’t been another election) 6.2.2. 2)The trigger event 6.2.2.1. Jews being given Jerusalem – Historical 6.2.2.2. Israel trying to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, defend their state 6.2.2.3. Hamas aim to kill all jews, believe Israel does not have the right to exist, for palestians to have the land 6.2.2.4. October 7th 2023 Hamas entered Israel, between 14 hundred Israelis were killed, 240 hostages taken into Gaza. 6.2.3. 3)What is it about? 6.2.3.1. 1920 - British mandate 6.2.3.2. 1945 WW2 holocaust 6.2.3.3. 1947 – Partition (UN) 6.2.3.4. 1948 – State of Israel 6.2.3.5. 2007 – Hamas control of Gaza 6.2.3.6. 1920, UK took control of the land. Gave the land to jews after the holocaust. 6.2.3.7. In 1947 Britain turned to the united nations (UN) to help with the situation. A UN commission recommended creating separate Jewish and Arab states. The Arabs rejected the proposal. Nevertheless, in 1948 Israel was created as a Jewish homeland. The surrounding Arab countries did not like having a Jewish country in Palestine. They fought several wars with Israel. During the wars Israel took land from the Arabs. That land included two parts of Palestine called the west bank and the Gaza Strip. 6.2.3.8. in the 1990s Israeli and Palestinian leaders began trying to come up with a peaceful solution for sharing Palestine. 6.2.3.9. In 1993 Israel and the PLO came to an agreement. Israel accepted that the Palestinians would gain control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. A new government called the Palestinian Authority (PA) was set up to govern the two territories. However, the agreement did not bring peace to the region. One group of Palestinians, in particular, opposed the peace talks. The group, called Hamas, did not believe that Israel had a right to exist. It continued to fight the Israelis as well as the Palestinians who wanted to work with Israel. 6.2.3.10. 2006 Hamas took control of the Gaza strip 6.2.3.11. Argument over land ownership, Hamas shot at people on October 7th , 6.2.3.12. Israel aim to destroy Hamas 6.2.3.13. Egypt rules over the gaza strip land, not letting refugees into Egypt. 6.2.4. 4)How is it fought? 6.2.4.1. Israel responded by defending themselves by bombing Gaza 6.2.4.2. Israel Employed ground troops to go into Gaza 6.2.4.3. Israel trying to bomb Hamas weapons, but are kept under civilian centres 6.2.4.4. Israel trying to move civilians out, but impossible to fight back without there being casualties, Hamas using civilians as human shields – difficult for Israel to know how to bomb 6.2.4.5. Hamas raping, killing, slaughtering 6.2.5. 5)figures/ Casualties : 6.2.5.1. 27,700 civilians killed up to December (October – December) 6.2.5.2. 115 Israeli soldiers killed 6.3. Ukraine and Russia 6.3.1. 1)Who is fighting whom 6.3.1.1. Russian Army is fighting Ukrainian Troops 6.3.2. 2)The trigger event 6.3.2.1. Putin began building up troops along the border with Ukraine in late 2021. 6.3.2.2. February 24, 2022, Putin sent troops into Ukraine. They attacked many different sites as they moved into the country. The Ukrainian troops fought back as did the people of Ukraine. But many thousands of people fled to Poland and other countries to escape the fighting. The fighting caused a great deal of destruction. 6.3.3. 3)What is it about? 6.3.3.1. 2014 – pro democracy president of Ukraine voted in, Russia annexed Crimea (took it over), Ukraine invaded Crimea 6.3.3.2. The land that is now Ukraine was controlled by many different groups over hundreds of years. In the 1700s most of the land became part of the Russian Empire. In 1917 the Russian Revolution ended the Russian Empire, but Ukraine did not gain independence. By 1922 Ukraine had become part of the newly formed Soviet Union. Rulers in Russia controlled the Soviet Union. The Soviets took over Ukraine’s farms. During the 1930s several million Ukrainians died from starvation. 6.3.3.3. In 1991 the Soviet Union broke apart, and Ukraine became independent. However, some people in Russia thought Ukraine should still be part of Russia. Vladimir Putin was one of those people. He had ruled Russia for many years. In 2014 he sent troops to a region of Ukraine called Crimea. The troops took control of that region. He also supported people in an eastern section of Ukraine that wanted to break away from Ukraine. 6.3.3.4. Historically – Putin + others in Russia see Ukraine as a historical part of Russia, power + influence 6.3.3.5. Putin wants to have more power/influence over Ukraine, unprovoked started the war 6.3.3.6. Ukraine only gained its independence in 1991, moving towards an independent democracy 6.3.3.7. Russia not giving up, Ukraine wants to be fully independent. Either Ukraine wins and is fully independent or Russia takes over part of/all of Ukraine. 6.3.4. 4)How is it fought? 6.3.4.1. In February 2022, Russian troops invaded the neighboring country of Ukraine. The Russians fired missiles at military targets as well as at homes in cities throughout Ukraine. More than 2 million people became refugees as they left Ukraine to escape the fighting. Other countries throughout the world called for an end to the war, but the fighting continued. 6.3.4.2. Airstrikes, ground troops, Ukraine gets a lot of weapons from UK + USA (military aid) 6.3.4.3. Ukraine self defense 6.3.4.4. According to PUTIN, 'special military operation', to help Ukrainians who want to live in russia but are discriminated against, he wouldn’t say it's an invasion 6.3.5. 5)figures/ Casualties : 6.3.5.1. up to 500,000 estimated casualties during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. 6.3.5.2. Hard to know, Ukraine is keeping it secret so not to spur on Russia 6.3.5.3. 70,000 deaths 6.3.5.4. 120,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian side 6.3.5.5. 320,000 Russian soldiers dead/injured