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4. (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 4
4. (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War. (b) Explain two Catholic responses to countries having weapons of mass destruction. (d) "War can never be considered... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:4. (a) Outline three conditions of a Just War - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline three conditions of a Just War.
Answer
A Just War must adhere to certain conditions to be considered ethically valid:
- Just Cause: The reason for going to war must be just, such as self-defense or protecting innocent life.
- Legitimate Authority: Only duly constituted public authorities may wage war; private groups or individuals cannot claim legitimacy.
- Proportionality: The anticipated benefits of the war must be proportional to the expected harm. Excessive force must be avoided.
Step 2
Explain two Catholic responses to countries having weapons of mass destruction.
Answer
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Condemnation of Arms Proliferation: The Catholic Church strongly condemns the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as it jeopardizes global peace and human life. This is reflected in various papal encyclicals urging disarmament.
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Promotion of Peaceful Solutions: The Church advocates for diplomatic solutions and dialogue to address conflicts instead of resorting to weapons of mass destruction, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the need for conflict resolution through understanding and cooperation.
Step 3
Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
Answer
The statement "War can never be considered to be holy" invites a nuanced exploration of beliefs:
Arguments for the statement:
- The Value of Life: Catholic teachings emphasize the sanctity of human life, suggesting that killing in war cannot be justified.
- Historical Misuse of War: Often, wars claimed to be 'holy' have led to atrocities, indicating a contradiction between faith and violence.
Arguments against the statement:
- Just War Theory: The Catholic Church provides a framework for justifying war under specific conditions, where the intention is to restore peace and justice.
- Spiritual Justifications: Throughout history, some have viewed wartime actions, particularly in defense of faith or the oppressed, as noble and justified. The Rosary, for example, has been used as a form of spiritual warfare in this context.
In conclusion, while the Church advocates for peace and condemns unnecessary violence, it does recognize that under certain conditions, war may be deemed necessary for justice.