Nuclear War (OCR GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Notes

11.5.3 Nuclear War

Nuclear Weapons

• Historical Use:
  • World War II: The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II, resulting in the deaths of approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima alone.
  • Impact: The bombings led to Japan's surrender, ending World War II. Some argue that their use was justified to bring about a swift end to the war, although the ethical implications remain controversial.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

• Types of WMDs:
  • Chemical Weapons: These weapons use toxic chemicals to poison, burn, or paralyse people, and they can also destroy the natural environment. The Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) made the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons illegal worldwide. Despite this, chemical weapons have been used in conflicts such as those in Iraq and Syria.
  • Biological Weapons: These involve the release of harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens into the environment, potentially leading to widespread disease and death. They can contaminate the atmosphere, food, or water supplies, causing long-term harm to populations.

Consequences of Nuclear Weapons

• Mass Destruction: Nuclear weapons have the capacity to kill millions of people and cause long-lasting environmental damage, making them among the most destructive weapons ever created.
• Global Deterrence: Since World War II, many countries have developed nuclear weapons as a deterrent, meaning they maintain these weapons to prevent attacks by threatening massive retaliation.

Ethical and Religious Perspectives

• No Religion Supports WMDs: All major religions, including Christianity and Islam, reject the use of weapons of mass destruction, as they cause indiscriminate harm to civilians and the environment.

Christian Perspective

• Sanctity of Life: Many Christians believe that only God has the right to end life, and therefore, the use of nuclear weapons, which kill vast numbers of innocent people, can never be justified.
• Deterrence: Some Christians argue that possessing nuclear weapons as a deterrent can help maintain peace and prevent wars, even if their use would be unethical.
• Biblical Teaching: The principle of "an eye for an eye" (sometimes cited to justify war) is not considered applicable to the use of WMDs because these weapons cause disproportionate harm.

Islamic Perspective

• Preservation of Creation: Muslims believe that God created life on earth and that humans have a duty to protect and preserve it. The use of nuclear weapons would violate this duty by causing widespread destruction.
• Qur'anic Guidance: The Qur'an advises against self-destruction and encourages doing good:

"Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands, but do good, for God loves those who do good" (Qur'an 2:195).

• This teaching is often interpreted as ruling out the use of WMDs.

Summary

• Nuclear and Other WMDs: These weapons cause mass destruction and loss of life, with long-term consequences for humanity and the environment. Despite their deterrent value, their use is widely condemned by religious and ethical perspectives.
• Historical Example: The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki illustrate the devastating impact of nuclear weapons and the ongoing debate about their justification.
• Global Legislation: International agreements, like the Chemical Weapons Convention, aim to control and eliminate the use of WMDs, reflecting global consensus on the need to prevent such catastrophic weapons from being used.