WMD and Religion as a cause of conflict (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes

WMD and religion as a cause of conflict

Religion as a cause of conflict

Religious differences and the misuse of religious teachings can unfortunately become sources of serious conflict in modern society. This is particularly evident when we examine how extremist groups have distorted religious messages to justify violence and terrorism.

In recent years, the UK has experienced terrorist attacks carried out by small minority Islamic extremist groups. These groups, such as ISIS, have deliberately misrepresented Islamic teachings to justify cruel and inhumane acts of violence.

However, these attacks have led to a concerning rise in Islamophobia - discrimination based on ignorance of authentic Islamic beliefs and teachings. This discrimination wrongly stereotypes all Muslims as supporting terrorist activities against non-Muslims, which is both factually incorrect and deeply harmful. The problem became particularly acute after events like the June 2017 London Bridge attack, which ISIS claimed responsibility for. Following this incident, unprovoked attacks on innocent Muslim civilians in the UK increased fivefold, demonstrating how religious conflict can spiral and affect entire communities.

Islamic beliefs and teachings on war and peace

Islam contains teachings that address both the circumstances under which warfare might be justified and the importance of pursuing peace. Understanding these teachings helps clarify the authentic Islamic position on conflict and violence.

Teachings on justified warfare

Islamic scripture does acknowledge that war and violence can sometimes be used to defend the Islamic faith and community. The Qur'an states:

"And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give Zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Surah 9:5)

Islam as a religion of peace

Despite teachings that can justify defensive warfare, Islam fundamentally emphasises peace as the preferred state. The Qur'an teaches:

"And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace." (Surah 25:63)

This verse highlights how true Muslims should respond to hostility with peaceful words. Islamic teaching emphasises that whilst religious disagreements and conflicts may arise, all peaceful methods should be attempted to resolve these differences before any consideration of violence.

Muslim responses to weapons of mass destruction

The Qur'an was revealed long before weapons of mass destruction existed, but Islamic scholars have applied Qur'anic principles to develop clear positions on WMD. There are two primary Islamic arguments against the use of such weapons:

Impossibility of regulation under Islamic war principles

Islamic law contains detailed rules about how warfare should be conducted, including strict limitations on acceptable targets and methods. WMD are fundamentally incompatible with these regulations because they cannot be controlled or directed precisely. Their use inevitably violates Islamic principles of warfare, making them impossible to justify under traditional Islamic just war theory.

Protection of innocent life

Islam places enormous emphasis on protecting innocent civilians during any conflict. WMD pose an unacceptable threat to innocent life due to their indiscriminate nature. Islamic teaching clearly states that innocent people should never be deliberately targeted or put at risk during warfare, making WMD fundamentally incompatible with Islamic ethics.

Non-religious perspectives on weapons of mass destruction

Not everyone approaches the question of WMD from a religious standpoint. Secular philosophical approaches offer different ways of thinking about these weapons.

Utilitarian approach

Utilitarian philosophy judges actions based on their consequences and overall impact on human wellbeing. From this perspective, WMD might potentially be justified if their existence prevents greater suffering in the long term - for example, if they act as an effective deterrent that prevents larger conflicts. However, most utilitarian thinkers struggle to justify weapons that cause such enormous damage and threaten so many innocent lives.

General non-religious view

Many non-religious thinkers find it extremely difficult to justify weapons that cause such extensive damage and pose such grave threats to innocent civilians. The scale of destruction and the impossibility of limiting their effects to military targets alone makes them ethically problematic from most secular moral perspectives.