Attitudes towards War

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Attitudes towards War

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Is it ever right to go to war?

Write a paragraph to say whether you think it is ever justified to go to war. You could say ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘only in certain circumstances’, but you must explain your view.

Is it ever justified for a country to go to war?Would you fight to defend another country?Would you fight if your country invaded another?Would you be prepared to go to prison rather than fight?Would you fight to defend your family?


True or False?


Why do people go to war?


Christians and war


Holy war

Find out more about a Christian Holy War.

Christians have fought holy wars in the past. A holy war is fought for religious reasons, sometimes to spread a faith and sometimes to defend it. There have been examples of ‘holy wars’ between different Christian groups (for example, between Catholic and Protestant countries during the Reformation), where one believed that the other was destroying the faith and so should be stopped at all costs. The most famous holy wars that Christians have been involved in were the Crusades which were fought to drive the Muslims out of the Holy Land (Israel) as it was the place where Jesus had lived and died and so they believed it should be a Christian country.


Harb al-Muqadis

Jihad is the belief that Muslims should fight against evil. This could be a moral fight or it could be a war. Muslims believe that war is only justified if it is to defend Islam. This is then described as Harb al-Muqadis, or a ‘holy war’. Any war started for reasons of greed would not be Harb al-Muqadis. War in Islam must only be waged according to the principles of Allah’s justice. If a Muslim breaks the rules of war which have been laid down then he will have to face Allah’s justice on the Day of Judgement.Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of Shaitan (Qur’an 4:76)


Imagine that you are a Muslim and a neighbouring country has a materialistic way of life which many young Muslims in your country are beginning to admire. You are afraid that they will turn their backs on traditional Islamic values, and believe that consequently the continuity of your faith is threatened. Is fighting against the neighbouring country Harb al-Muqadis? Why?

What does it mean to defend your faith?

Imagine that you are a Muslim and your country is attacked by another which says that when they conquer you, you will be forbidden to worship Allah. Is fighting against them Harb al-Muqadis? Why?


Just War and Harb al-Muqadis


What are the similarities between the Christian idea of Just War and Muslim Harb al-Muqadis?Could a war ever be claimed to be a just war by both sides? Explain your view.


Is terrorism Harb al-Muqadis?

Would the majority of Muslims in the world believe that the attack on the World Trade Centre was Harb al-Muqadis? Refer to the rules for a Muslim ‘holy war’ in your answer.


A Just War?


The Bible and war


Christians and war


An army chaplain

Is it morally right for a priest or minister to go to war? Explain your view.

praying with soldiers before battlecomforting the wounded and dyingdocumenting and burying the deadteaching basic Bible skills when soldiers first join upacting as a counsellor for any soldiers with problemsweddings and baptisms for army familiesleading church services.

Some priests and ministers work in the Armed Forces. They are called chaplains. They work with both Christians and non-Christians. Their work includes:


Judaism and war


Hinduism and war

Attitudes towards War

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