Violence and Violent Protest
No religion promotes violence as a first resort. However, religious believers often strongly protest against injustice. The key ethical debate is whether protest should ever become violent.
Christianity
Christians are taught to love their enemies. Most Christians support peaceful protest (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.). However, some Christians argue that violence can be justified if it is the only way to stop a greater evil or overthrow a corrupt regime (e.g., Dietrich Bonhoeffer plotting against Hitler).
Islam
Islam translates to peace, and fighting is strictly regulated. Protest against injustice is a duty, but it should not cause disorder or harm innocents. Violence is only permitted in self-defence or to defend the oppressed.
Judaism
Judaism values the preservation of life (Pikuach Nefesh) above almost all else. Peaceful protest is encouraged to fight injustice, but violence is strictly a last resort for defence.
Buddhism
Buddhism fundamentally opposes violence. The First Precept is "to abstain from taking life." The Dalai Lama has consistently advocated for non-violent resistance regarding the occupation of Tibet.
Terrorism
Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
All mainstream religions condemn terrorism. It is fundamentally unethical because it targets the innocent, creating fear and suffering. Extremists who use religion to justify terrorism are acting against the core teachings of their faiths.
- Christianity: Violates "Love thy neighbour" and the sanctity of life. It breaks the Just War principle of protecting civilians.
- Islam: The Qur'an states that taking an innocent life is like killing all of humanity (5:32). Suicide is forbidden in Islam, invalidating suicide bombings.
- Judaism: Violates the Ten Commandments ("Do not murder").
- Buddhism: Driven by hatred and ignorance, leading to immense negative Karma.
Reasons for War: Greed, Self-Defence, Retaliation
The AQA specification requires you to understand three specific reasons for war and how religions respond to them.
1. Greed
War to gain land, territory, or resources (like oil or water).
Religious views: Universally condemned. Greed is a sin in Christianity (one of the Seven Deadly Sins) and Islam. Buddhism views greed (Tanha) as one of the Three Poisons that causes suffering. Wars fought for greed can never be justified.
2. Self-Defence
Fighting to protect your country, people, or values from an unprovoked attack.
Religious views: This is the most accepted reason for war across religions.
- Christianity: Accepted under Just War Theory (having a 'Just Cause').
- Islam: The Qur'an explicitly permits fighting for self-defence: "Permission to fight has been given to those who are being fought" (22:39).
- Judaism: Obligatory wars (Milchemet Mitzvah) include wars of self-defence.
- Buddhism: Highly problematic due to the strict rule against killing, but some Buddhists argue that defending the innocent with minimal force may be a lesser evil.
3. Retaliation
Fighting back to punish someone for a wrong they have done.
Religious views: Generally discouraged or heavily restricted.
- Christianity: Jesus taught against retaliation: "Turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39) and "Do not repay evil with evil" (Romans 12:17).
- Islam: Retaliation (Qisas) is permitted in Islamic law to achieve justice, but it must be strictly proportional. However, the Qur'an states that forgiveness is always the better choice (Surah 42:40).
- Judaism: The principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) historically meant fair compensation, not literal revenge. Modern Judaism emphasizes seeking peace over vengeance.
Summary: Key Points
- Protest: Supported by religions to fight injustice, but should be peaceful.
- Terrorism: Universally condemned for targeting innocents and causing fear.
- Greed: Never a justifiable reason for war; driven by selfish desires.
- Self-Defence: The most widely accepted justification for the use of force (e.g., permitted in Qur'an 22:39).
- Retaliation: Strongly discouraged by Jesus ("turn the other cheek"); heavily restricted and secondary to forgiveness in Islam.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three main reasons listed in the AQA specification are Greed (fighting to gain land or resources), Self-defence (fighting to protect your country or people from attack), and Retaliation (fighting back against an injury or wrong).
No. Mainstream religious authorities universally condemn terrorism. Terrorism targets innocent civilians and uses fear to achieve political aims. This breaks the strict ethical rules of war in all major religions, such as the Islamic ban on killing innocents and the Christian Just War requirement of discrimination.
The core teachings of Buddhism strongly reject violence, as it breaks the First Moral Precept (to abstain from taking life). However, in specific historical contexts, some Buddhist groups have used violence to defend their nations or faith, though this contradicts the Buddha's teachings on Karuna (compassion).