Holy war (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes
Holy war
Understanding holy war
A holy war occurs when religious believers feel that God supports their cause and wants them to engage in armed conflict. In these situations, people believe they are fighting on behalf of their faith and that divine approval backs their actions. While most Catholics prioritise working towards peace, there are specific circumstances where the Church recognises that holy war might be considered acceptable by some Catholics.
The concept of holy war creates tension within Christianity because it appears to conflict with many of Jesus's peaceful teachings. However, religious communities have grappled with this issue throughout history, trying to balance their commitment to peace with the need to protect their faith and communities.
Historical examples of holy war
During the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, Christian armies embarked on military campaigns known as the Crusades. These expeditions aimed to reclaim holy sites in Palestine from Muslim control and restore Christian access to places of religious significance. Christians of this period viewed these campaigns as holy wars because they believed God wanted them to fight for these sacred locations.
Historical Example: The Crusades
The Crusades represent a complex period in Christian history where religious devotion motivated large-scale military action. Participants believed they were fulfilling God's will by using force to achieve religious objectives, demonstrating how the concept of holy war has been applied in practice throughout history.
Biblical perspectives on war and conflict
The Bible presents varied teachings about violence and conflict, creating different interpretations about when war might be justified. Several key passages illuminate different aspects of this issue:
Supporting self-sacrifice and protection:
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down his life for one's friends" (John 15:13)
This verse suggests that sacrificing oneself to protect others, including through warfare, can demonstrate the highest form of love. It implies that fighting to defend friends and loved ones might be considered noble and virtuous.
Warning against violence:
"for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52)
Here, Jesus teaches that those who choose violent solutions will ultimately face violent consequences themselves. This passage emphasises that violence typically leads to more violence rather than resolving conflicts peacefully.
Encouraging love for enemies:
"love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44)
This teaching directly challenges the concept of holy war by instructing Christians to show compassion and love even towards their adversaries. It suggests that the proper Christian response to hostility should be prayer and love rather than retaliation.
Complex teaching about division:
"I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" (Matthew 10:34-35)
While Jesus uses the word "sword" in this passage, he's not promoting violence but rather acknowledging that following him might create divisions within families and communities. This teaching recognises that religious commitment can sometimes lead to conflict, even among close relationships.
Catholic Church position on holy war
The Catholic Church maintains several key principles regarding war and conflict that shape its approach to holy war:
Jesus as Prince of Peace: The Church emphasises Jesus's role as the "Prince of Peace", indicating that warfare contradicts the fundamental Christian message. This title suggests that followers of Christ should prioritise peaceful solutions to conflicts rather than resorting to violence.
Obligation to seek peace: According to the Catechism, "All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war" (CCC 2308). This teaching places a moral responsibility on both individuals and nations to actively pursue peaceful alternatives to armed conflict.
Sanctity of human life: Catholics believe human life possesses special value because people are created "in God's own image" (Genesis 1:27). This belief makes taking life through warfare morally problematic, as it destroys something that reflects God's nature.
Conditional acceptance of self-defence: While promoting peace, the Catholic Church recognises that governments sometimes need to engage in warfare for self-defence. The Catechism states that "as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defence, once all peace efforts have failed" (CCC 2308). This position acknowledges that protecting innocent life might sometimes require military action, but only after exhausting all peaceful options.
Some Catholics have historically participated in religious conflicts, such as during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), when the Catechism seemed to support warfare in defence of faith when other approaches proved unsuccessful.
Non-religious perspectives on holy war
People who don't follow religious beliefs typically reject the concept of holy war entirely. Since they don't accept the existence of God, they cannot accept the idea that divine approval could justify warfare. From their perspective, using religion to justify violence represents a fundamental misuse of faith.
Most non-religious individuals also oppose war generally, except in extraordinary circumstances where it becomes absolutely necessary for protection or defence. They would never consider religious differences or religious goals to provide legitimate reasons for armed conflict.
This perspective emphasises that human reasoning and ethical considerations, rather than religious beliefs, should guide decisions about war and peace. Non-religious people often argue that conflicts justified by religious beliefs cause unnecessary suffering and division in society.
Key Points to Remember:
- Holy war involves believers thinking God supports their military cause, but this conflicts with many Christian teachings about peace and love
- The Bible contains mixed messages about violence - some passages support self-defence while others promote love for enemies
- The Catholic Church generally opposes war but accepts self-defence as a last resort when all peaceful options have been exhausted
- Historical examples like the Crusades show how Christians have attempted to justify warfare through religious beliefs
- Non-religious people typically reject holy war entirely since they don't believe divine approval can justify violence