CHAPTER EIGHT Justice and Peace Christians and Peace

CHAPTER EIGHT Justice and Peace

Christians and Peace What is peace? the tranquility of order; a gift from Jesus Christ Q. Why should we care about peace? A. Christians must be peacemakers • To engage in the work of peace means we must work for justice, and justice requires forgiveness • Peacemaking is enhanced by our practice of the virtues • Prayer is essential for developing a spirituality of peacemaking

Christians and Peace The Church teaches us about peace in several important documents: 1. The Church in the Modern World: written during Vatican II and says “Peace is an enterprise of justice” 2. The Challenge of Peace: a document written by the bishops that outlines their ideas about peace and says Peacemaking begins in a person’s heart 3. The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace: a letter commemorating the tenth anniversary of The Challenge of Peace, says that We must be humble, gentle, and patient with people. We must also be strong, active, and bold to spread the gospel of peace

Christians and Peace Church’s vision of peacemaking The universal common good The responsibility for the development of peace Human solidarity

Christians and Peace Causes of War Political Economic Cultural/ religious

The Meaning of Peace in the Bible Did you know… Peace is a central theme in the Bible and has a variety of meanings in the scriptures. Peace can mean: ÿIndividual sense of security ÿCessation of armed hostility among the nations ÿA right relationship with God ÿThe end of time

The Meaning of Peace in the Bible - Peace in the Old Testament Peace develops into a rich image that is understood in light of Israel’s relationship to God Peace is stressed as a unity and harmony of the whole community with other peoples and with creation itself Peace is one of the fruits of keeping the covenant with God - Peace in the New Testament v. Jesus commands us to forgive and love even in the face of threat or opposition v. Jesus left us the gift of peace and the Holy Spirit to help us to be missionaries of peace

Responding to conflict Ways to nonviolence respond to armed conflict just war

Nonviolence Q. What does the Church tells us about nonviolence? A. Church teaching always begins with a presumption against war, advocating peaceful settlement of disputes A. the Church also recognizes the right and duty of legitimate political authorities to employ limited force as a last resort to save innocent people and to establish peace when nonviolent action has failed

Nonviolence Three levels of violence: Counter-violence: oppressed group tries to correct the wrong through violence Institutional: denies basic human rights Repressive: those in power repeat the cycle of violence

Nonviolence - Not passivity: the “sit back and do nothing” approach - Nonviolence requires courage, patience, action, creativity, and a passionate commitment to seek justice and truth no matter what the price Conscientious objector Refuses to engage in armed conflict or wars considered unjust or because of religious convictions

The Just-War Tradition Just Cause Last resort Proportionality Legitimate authority Just War Tradition Probability of success Comparative justice Right intention

The Just-War Tradition Immunity of noncombatants During conflict Right intention Proportionality

The Just-War Tradition pacifist Principle of proportionality Someone who objects to and refuses to participate in wars and rejects any recourse to violence regardless of the circumstances The damage inflicted and the costs incurred to be commensurate with the good expected

The Just-War Tradition - What may never be permitted in a war: v. War aimed at entire cities or extensive areas v. Any act that has great potential for widespread destruction v. Arms race does not ensure peace

The Just-War Tradition Did you know… - The Church supports laws that would make provisions for conscientious objectors who refuse to bear arms provided they accept some other form of community service. - The most effective way to stop terrorism is to remove its causes of poverty, and the powerlessness of people around the world because of oppression and the lack of respect for their basic human rights

Peacemaking Strategies - A task for both individuals and societies Peacemaking strategies Global option for the poor Global solidarity

Peacemaking Strategies Global option for the poor Poverty War

Peacemaking Strategies - Global solidarity v. Requires us to commit ourselves to the common good of all people v. World’s rich nations will promote development of poorer nations

Peacemaking Strategies Q. What are the steps to building a more peaceful international community? 1) A. Strengthen international institutions like the United Nations 2) A. Work to secure human rights 3) A. Promote true development of the poorer nations What are the steps to righting the inequities of the world? ü ü Improve foreign aid Rectify trade relationships Relieve international debt End arms race, halt arms trade and ban landmines

Vocabulary peace levels of violence Just war tradition principle of proportionality pacifist conscientious objector