Just War Theory and Holy War Explain 2

Just War Theory and Holy War

Explain 2 ways in which the Just War theory can help when making decisions about war. Quote of the day – ‘The believers fight for God’s cause, while those who reject faith fight for an unjust cause’ (Qur’an, Surah 4: 76) ‘[Believers], fight them until there is no more persecution, and all worship is devoted to God alone’ (Qur’an, surah 8: 39. ) To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war.

Success Criteria for Today’s Learning GOLD …Evaluate whether it is ever right to go to War and include Muslim teachings about war. SILVER …Explain the Just War theory and attitudes surrounding Holy War BRONZE …Describe the Just War theory and some attitudes surrounding Holy War

What is the best reason to go to war (if any)? • Around the room there are 7 reasons why it would be okay to go to war. • I want you to silently write down one the reasons why it would be okay to go to war and explain your reasoning. Challenge: Include why a differing reason on the wall would be bad compared to yours. To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war.

Just war theory – Thomas Aquinas (1225 -74) The concept of a just war has always existed – is it worth the expense of lives, land, money etc. . The just war theory was developed by Thomas Aquinas who suggested that a war was just or morally right if three certain criteria has been met. üIf it was started and controlled by the authority of a state or ruler. üIf it was for the right reason. üIf the aim of the war was not evil. The theory has since been added to, so that today there are six conditions. What do you think are those 6 conditions? To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war.

The conditions of a just war. 1. It must be started for a good reason (just cause). 2. It must be declared by the authority of the state or ruler. 3. It must be the last option (all other ways of solving the problem having been tried). 4. There must be a good chance of success. 5. What it intends to achieve must be good (intention). 6. The force used in the war must not be out of proportion to what is needed to win (not too much force).

What do Muslims think about a Just War? Stick this into your book. To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war. All around the reasons why it is okay for Muslims to have a ‘Just War’ I want you to agree and disagree with each one. Challenge: Try to give an example of each OR think about why someone would disagree with your viewpoint. I think it is okay to fight for a just cause if Islam is being attacked as it is protecting the people within your religion. In WW 2 we fought for Jewish people as they were receiving unjust treatment. If we didn’t go to war, Judaism as we know it would not have existed.

Now apply this to the Iraq war. Look at the sheet next to you. Read through the left sections of the sheet. I want you to think about how the Just War rule applies to the Iraq war. Was the war justified? Yes or no? Challenge: Could it be to do with the saying, it was ‘the lesser of two evils’? To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war. Remember – Some Muslims are against war. - Peace and reconciliation is at the hear of Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an. - Modern weapons cannot be used in a way that is compatible with Muslim rules about fighting in a war. - Non-violence is the only way to achieve peace. - Violence only leads to more violence.

Explain 2 ways in which the Just War theory can help when making decisions about war. Quote of the day – ‘The believers fight for God’s cause, while those who reject faith fight for an unjust cause’. (Qur’an, Surah 4: 76) ‘[Believers], fight them until there is no more persecution, and all worship is devoted to God alone’. (Qur’an, surah 8: 39. ) To be able to explain the Just War theory. To be able to justify if it is ever okay to go to war. A Just Was is…. One way the Just War theory could help make decision is… This is because… Another way the Just War theory could help make decision is … This is because…

Hand Out Muslims and Just war. There are strict rules in Islam about when a war can be fought justifiably by Muslims; • It must be fought for a just cause (either Islam is being attacked, or people are suffering an injustice, or in self defence). • It must be a last resort (all possible nonviolent methods of solving the problem must have been tried). • It must be authorised and led by a Muslim authority). • It must be fought in such a way as to cause the minimum amount of suffering. • Innocent civilians (especially the old, the young and women) must not be attacked. • It must be ended as soon as the enemy lays down their arms. Most Muslims would agree that if a war fulfils these conditions then a Muslim must fight in it. The reasons for this view are; • The Qur’an says tat Muslims must fight if they are attacked and Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the word of God. • Muhammad is the great example for Muslims in how to live, and he fought wars. • Muhammad made many statements [hadith] about war which says that Muslims must fight in Just Wars. • The Qur’an says that anyone who dies fighting in a Just War will go straight to heaven. However, some Muslims feel that the nature of modern weapons means that no war can be a Just War, and so they oppose wars.

D – ‘Holy war is a good reason to fight’. Quote of the day – ‘Fight them until there is no more persecution, and worship is devoted to God’. (Qur’an, Surah 190 -193) ‘If anyone kills a believer deliberately, the punishment for him is Hell, and there he will remain’. (Qur’an, Surah 4: 93) To be able to explain what a Holy war is. To be able to evaluate whether a Holy war is a good reason to fight.

Can a war ever be ‘Holy’? While one of the meanings of Islam is ‘peace’, believe there are circumstances when Allah is necessary. Quote of the day – ‘Fight them until there is no more persecution, and worship is devoted to God’. (Qur’an, Surah 190 -193) ‘If anyone kills a believer deliberately, the punishment Muslims for him is Hell, and there he will remain’ (Qur’an, Surah 4: 93). fighting for Fighting is allowed if; ØPersecution (suffering because of your beliefs) becomes intense. ØFreedom of belief (e. g. the right to worship) is being taken away. ØMuslims have to defend themselves and others from an attack started by aggressors. ØIt is authorised by a Muslim leader (prophet or khalifah). ØIt is a last resort.

Create a Revision Hand-out on Holy War. This needs to be a good piece of material that can be used for revision in your exams. Holy War You will need to include; (pgs. 348 -351 – handouts provided) • The nature of a Holy war. (with example) • Muslim teachings about war and peace. • Atheist and Humanists attitudes to Holy war. • Your view point.

Plan… • What could we say for each part to your answer? • What are the reasons for and against? • What is your opinion? To be able to explain different causes of conflict. To be able to evaluate whether religion causes the most conflicts.