Pacifism (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Pacifism in Catholic Christianity
Introduction
The New Testament and Catholic Catechism encourage all Christians to seek peace and reconciliation with their enemies. However, Christians hold different views about how this should be applied in practice. Some Christians adopt a pacifist position regarding war and violence, believing that following Jesus means completely rejecting all forms of violent conflict.
Understanding the spectrum of Christian views on pacifism is essential for grasping the complexity of applying religious teachings to real-world situations involving conflict and violence.
Nature of pacifism
Pacifism represents the belief that war and violence are always morally wrong, regardless of the circumstances. This position stems from a particular interpretation of Christian teachings that emphasises peace above all else. Some Christians support their pacifist stance by pointing to biblical passages such as Jesus' command to "love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), arguing that this teaching leaves no room for violence even in extreme situations.
It's important to understand that Catholic teaching on this matter is nuanced. While Catholics are encouraged to follow ideas of peace that are promoted within Christianity, the Catholic Church is not traditionally considered pacifist. Many Catholics believe that sometimes fighting may be the only way to achieve lasting peace, particularly when protecting innocent people from grave harm.
This creates an ongoing tension within Catholic thought between the ideals of peace and the practical realities of defending justice. This tension is central to understanding Catholic approaches to war and conflict.
History of Christian pacifism
Jesus as a pacifist model
Many Christians view Jesus as a pacifist figure whose teachings provide a clear blueprint for non-violent living. They point to his teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, where he proclaimed: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:9). This suggests that God particularly values those who work for peace and are willing to suffer rather than inflict suffering on others.
Historical examples
Throughout history, some Christians have taken pacifist stances even when this put them at personal risk. During the two World Wars, some British pacifists, known as conscientious objectors, refused to fight based on their religious convictions. This demonstrates how deeply held Christian beliefs about peace can influence practical decisions, even in times of national crisis.
The influence of Christian pacifism has extended beyond the church itself. Prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, whilst not necessarily traditional Christians, drew inspiration from Christian pacifist principles in their fights to overcome injustice through non-violent means.
The impact of Christian pacifist thought on social justice movements demonstrates how religious principles can influence broader society, even among those who may not share the same faith background.
Biblical teachings on pacifism
The Bible contains several passages that pacifist Christians use to support their position. These teachings form the foundation of Christian pacifist thought and provide the scriptural basis for non-violent approaches to conflict.
The Ten Commandments
The commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) is seen by pacifists as an absolute prohibition against taking human life. They argue that this commandment makes no exceptions for war or self-defence.
Jesus' teachings on love
Jesus taught people to "love their enemies": "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This represents one of the most challenging aspects of Christian teaching, as it calls believers to respond to hatred with love rather than retaliation.
Rejection of violence
When Jesus was arrested, he told his followers: "Put your sword back in its place... all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Pacifists interpret this as Jesus explicitly rejecting the use of violence, even in self-defence.
The sanctity of human life
The belief that humans were made "in his [God's] own image" (Genesis 1:27) leads many pacifists to conclude that human life is sacred and violence should never be used against another person, as this would be an attack on the image of God within them.
These biblical passages form the core scriptural foundation for Christian pacifism, though different denominations and individual Christians may interpret them differently in relation to practical situations involving conflict.
Passive resistance
Passive resistance represents a way of opposing authority or injustice without using violence. This approach involves refusing to cooperate with legal requirements to fight or participate in violent activities. For Christians practising passive resistance, this might mean becoming conscientious objectors who refuse military service.
Jesus' words "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:27) inspire some Catholics to interpret Christian discipleship as advocating for passive resistance. They see this as a way of following Jesus' example while still standing up against injustice and oppression.
Passive resistance requires considerable courage, as it often involves accepting punishment or persecution rather than fighting back. Christians who choose this path believe they are following Jesus' example of accepting suffering rather than inflicting it on others.
Other Christian attitudes to pacifism
The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)
The Quakers represent a Christian denomination that has maintained a consistently pacifist position throughout their history. Their approach to pacifism is rooted in several key beliefs that shape their understanding of Christian faith.
Quakers believe that God exists within every person, which leads them to oppose anything that might harm people. This belief in the divine spark within each individual makes violence unthinkable for them, as attacking another person would be attacking the presence of God within that person.
They believe they should act peacefully against injustice, and many Quakers have become conscientious objectors throughout history. However, their pacifism is not passive - they actively work for justice and peace through non-violent means.
Historically, some Quakers have taken their pacifist convictions so seriously that they refused to defend themselves even when under attack, trusting in God's protection rather than human violence.
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Thomas Merton was an influential Catholic monk who played a significant role in the peace movement during the 20th century. His writings and advocacy helped shape Catholic thinking about pacifism and non-violence during a period of significant global conflict.
Merton actively supported the peace movement and wrote extensively to the Vatican Council about Catholics' right to be conscientious objectors. He argued against the use of weapons of mass destruction, believing that such weapons represented a fundamental departure from Christian principles of protecting innocent life.
Merton developed a sophisticated understanding of passive resistance, arguing that true non-violence was not about weakness but about moral strength. He believed that "Nonviolence seeks to 'win' not by destroying or even by humiliating the adversary, but by convincing [the adversary] that there is a higher and more certain common good than can be attained by bombs and blood."
His approach emphasised that peaceful means could achieve more lasting results than violence, as they addressed the root causes of conflict rather than simply suppressing opposition through force.
Key Points to Remember:
-
Pacifism is the belief that war and violence are always wrong - some Christians support this through biblical teachings like "love your enemies"
-
Catholic teaching is not traditionally pacifist - while promoting peace, many Catholics believe fighting may sometimes be necessary to achieve justice
-
Biblical support for pacifism includes key teachings - the commandment not to murder, Jesus telling followers to put away their swords, and the belief that humans are made in God's image
-
Passive resistance offers a non-violent way to oppose injustice - this involves refusing to cooperate with violence while accepting the consequences
-
Different Christian denominations have varying approaches - Quakers are consistently pacifist, while Catholic thinkers like Thomas Merton have argued for non-violent resistance to achieve lasting peace