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4 (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War accepted by Christians - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 4
4 (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War accepted by Christians. (b) Explain two Christian teachings about pacifism.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:4 (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War accepted by Christians - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline three conditions of a Just War accepted by Christians.
Answer
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Just Cause: A Just War must be waged for a morally justifiable reason, such as self-defense or protecting others from harm. Christians believe that fighting can be justified if it aims to restore peace and protect innocent lives.
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Declaring War as a Last Resort: Warfare should only be initiated after all non-violent options have been exhausted. This emphasizes the importance of seeking peaceful solutions before resorting to violence.
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Proportionality: The level of force used in the conflict must be proportionate to the threat posed. Christians believe that excessive force is unjust, and military actions should aim to minimize harm to non-combatants.
Step 2
Explain two Christian teachings about pacifism.
Answer
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Turn the Other Cheek: This teaching, derived from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:39), encourages individuals to respond to aggression not with retaliation, but with non-violence. This reflects the belief that love and forgiveness should triumph over hatred and conflict.
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Blessed are the Peacemakers: In Matthew 5:9, Jesus stated that those who strive for peace are blessed. This teaching reinforces the idea that Christians are called to seek reconciliation and foster harmony, rather than engage in violence or conflict.