Holy war (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Holy war
What is a holy war?
A holy war occurs when religious believers are convinced that God supports their cause and that they are fighting because it represents the morally correct action to take. In this type of conflict, participants believe they have divine backing for their military actions.
The concept of holy war is significant in religious studies because it demonstrates how religious belief can be used to justify and motivate military conflict, making it particularly complex to analyse from both theological and ethical perspectives.
Bible teachings about war
The Bible contains various passages that address warfare, presenting different perspectives depending on whether they come from the Old or New Testament.
Understanding biblical teachings about war requires recognising the fundamental contrast between Old Testament and New Testament approaches - this difference is crucial for comprehending how Christians interpret warfare today.
Old Testament passages
Some Old Testament scriptures appear to endorse warfare in specific circumstances. For example:
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites.'" (Numbers 31:1-2)
This passage suggests that God sometimes commanded the Israelites to engage in warfare against their enemies.
New Testament teachings
However, the New Testament, particularly the teachings of Jesus, emphasises a very different approach:
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For all who draw the sword will die by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)
These teachings from Jesus stress forgiveness, love for enemies, and the dangers of violence, presenting a peaceful alternative to warfare.
This contrast between Old and New Testament teachings creates ongoing theological debates about how Christians should interpret biblical guidance on warfare and violence.
Historical context - The Crusades
During the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, Christians launched military campaigns known as the Crusades. Their aim was to reclaim what they considered holy places in Palestine from Muslim control. These expeditions were viewed by many Christians of the time as holy wars, believing they were carrying out God's will by fighting to liberate sacred Christian sites.
Historical Example: The First Crusade (1096-1099)
The First Crusade exemplifies how holy war concepts were applied in practice. Pope Urban II called for Christians to take up arms to reclaim Jerusalem, promising spiritual rewards for participants. Crusaders wore crosses on their clothing as symbols of their religious mission, demonstrating how they viewed their military campaign as divinely sanctioned.
Christian responses to holy war
Christians today hold varying views on whether holy war can ever be justified.
Arguments supporting holy war
Some Christians point to certain biblical passages that seem to indicate warfare might sometimes be appropriate. They argue that the Old Testament contains examples where God apparently commanded the Israelites to fight their enemies. These Christians might contend that in exceptional circumstances, war could be justified to defend the faith or protect fellow believers.
Arguments against holy war
Many other Christians reject the concept of holy war entirely. They focus on Jesus's teachings about peace and love, particularly his title as the "Prince of Peace". They emphasise passages such as:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
This verse highlights the importance of pursuing peace rather than conflict, suggesting that holy war contradicts fundamental Christian values.
Christian pacifism
Some Christian denominations, such as the Quakers, adopt a completely pacifist position. They refuse to support any form of warfare, believing that violence is never acceptable under any circumstances. These Christians interpret Jesus's teachings as requiring absolute commitment to non-violence and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The general Christian position
Most Christians today would agree that wars should not be fought using God's name as justification. They believe that military action should only be considered as an absolute last resort, and even then, should not be framed as a holy war. This represents a significant shift from mediaeval attitudes during the time of the Crusades.
The evolution of Christian thinking about holy war demonstrates how religious communities can reinterpret their traditions over time, moving away from mediaeval concepts towards more peaceful interpretations of their faith.
Non-religious attitudes to holy war
People who do not follow religious beliefs typically have strong objections to the concept of holy war.
Rejection based on secular principles
Since non-religious individuals do not accept the existence of God, they would almost certainly oppose any war justified on religious grounds. They cannot accept the premise that divine authority supports military action.
General attitudes to warfare
Most non-religious people also tend to oppose warfare in general, except when absolutely necessary in exceptional circumstances. However, they would never accept religious belief as a valid justification for war, preferring secular ethical frameworks for evaluating when conflict might be unavoidable.
Focus on practical solutions
Non-religious perspectives typically emphasise finding practical, diplomatic solutions to conflicts rather than resorting to violence. They would argue that religious motivations for war are particularly dangerous because they can make conflicts more difficult to resolve through negotiation and compromise.
The secular approach to evaluating warfare focuses on practical considerations such as proportionality, necessity, and humanitarian outcomes, rather than religious or spiritual justifications.
Key Points to Remember:
- A holy war is when believers think God supports their fighting, making it the right thing to do
- The Bible contains conflicting messages - Old Testament passages sometimes endorse war, while New Testament teachings emphasise peace and loving enemies
- The Crusades (11th-13th centuries) were historic examples of Christians believing they were fighting holy wars to reclaim sacred places
- Modern Christians are divided - some accept that war might sometimes be necessary, while others (like Quakers) are completely pacifist
- Non-religious people reject holy war because they don't accept God exists and prefer secular ethical frameworks for evaluating conflicts