Issues surrounding conflict (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Issues surrounding conflict
Modern threats to peace
Today's world faces significant new challenges when it comes to maintaining peace. Contemporary society must deal with modern pressures that create fresh threats of war, often involving advanced technologies that serve violence and terrorism.
The complexity of modern conflicts has increased dramatically with technological advancement, making traditional approaches to peace-keeping more challenging than ever before.
Three main threats of war
1. Violence Violent behaviour is frequently reported in media coverage, which suggests that many people have developed a fear of breaking laws and facing serious consequences. This creates an argument that society is experiencing a growing fear of violence from within its own communities.
2. War Modern warfare has evolved to include much stronger and more destructive weapons than ever before. These new military technologies make contemporary conflicts far more devastating than historical wars.
3. Terrorism This represents a violent form of protest that is often connected to extremist radical groups. Examples include suicide bombers or individuals who deliberately choose targets designed to cause maximum damage and harm to innocent people.
These three threats represent unprecedented challenges to global peace, with each becoming more sophisticated and potentially devastating through modern technology and organised networks.
Catholic teachings and responses to conflict
The Catholic Church provides clear guidance on how believers should respond to issues surrounding conflict, drawing from both Scripture and official Church teaching.
Core Catholic principles
Catholics turn to both Church teachings and biblical guidance when responding to issues surrounding conflict. The Church emphasises three key approaches:
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Looking to Church and Bible teachings - Catholics seek wisdom from official Church doctrine and Scripture to understand how to respond to conflict situations.
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Promoting reconciliation and forgiveness - The Bible, Catholic Church, and papal teachings all stress the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness as the primary way to address conflict.
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Rejecting violence - Catholics do not support the use of violence and believe in working together collaboratively to find peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts.
Official Church teaching on terrorism
The Catholic Church takes a strong stance against terrorism:
Catholic Condemnation of Terrorism:
"Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity. (CCC 2297)"
"It is a profanation and a blasphemy to declare oneself a terrorist in God's name (2004 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church No. 513)"
Pope Francis has also spoken about the roots of terrorism, explaining:
"Terrorism grows when there is now other option... this is fundamental terrorism, against all humanity. (Pope Francis)"
Biblical teaching on responding to enemies
The Gospel of Luke provides clear guidance on how Christians should respond to those who oppose them:
Scripture Foundation for Peace:
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. (Luke 6:27-29)"
This passage demonstrates the Christian approach of non-retaliation and active love towards enemies, which forms the foundation of Catholic teaching on conflict resolution.
Catholic peace advocates
The Church's teachings on peace and conflict are not merely theoretical - they have been lived out by remarkable individuals who dedicated their lives to promoting justice and peace.
Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist, and converted Catholic who devoted her life to campaigning against social injustices and conflict.
Worked Example: Dorothy Day's Peace Activism
Her key contributions:
- Founded the Catholic Worker newspaper, which promoted Catholic teachings and challenged injustices around the world
- Inspired and established the 'Catholic Worker Movement' to challenge unfairness and inequality
- Provided practical help to the poor and homeless community
- Was arrested multiple times for her protest activities
- Went on hunger strike whilst protesting for women's rights
Dorothy Day lived out Jesus's teaching about turning the other cheek. She explained her approach:
"As for ourselves, yes, we must be meek, bear injustice, malice, rash judgement. We must turn the other cheek, give up our cloak, go a second mile. (Dorothy Day)"
Oscar Romero
Oscar Romero served as Archbishop of San Salvador and became a powerful voice for those suffering from violence and oppression.
Worked Example: Oscar Romero's Witness for Peace
His key contributions:
- Witnessed countless violations of human rights and spoke out against injustice
- Worked directly in the community, visiting people in prison, providing religious education classes, and helping to feed the poor
- Wrote letters to political leaders to protest and comfort families of three people killed by the army in his diocese
- Spoke out strongly against the use of violence and the murder of innocent people
- Was assassinated whilst celebrating Mass as a direct result of his work to overcome conflict
Romero believed strongly in using his position to help those without power:
"The ones who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless. (Oscar Romero)"
His martyrdom whilst serving Mass demonstrates the ultimate sacrifice he made for his commitment to peace and justice.
Key Points to Remember:
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Modern threats to peace include violence, war using new technologies, and terrorism - all of which the Catholic Church firmly opposes
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Catholic teaching emphasises reconciliation and forgiveness rather than retaliation, following Jesus's command to "love your enemies" and "turn the other cheek"
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The Church condemns terrorism as being "gravely against justice and charity" and a blasphemy when done in God's name
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Dorothy Day and Oscar Romero provide inspiring examples of Catholics who lived out the Church's teachings on peace by dedicating their lives to fighting injustice through non-violent means
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Biblical teaching from Luke 6:27-29 provides the foundation for Catholic approaches to conflict, emphasising love for enemies and non-retaliation