Peace and Conflict Assessment

You must be able to explain contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and one or more other religious traditions:

• Violence.
• Weapons of mass destruction.
• Pacifism.

Religion, violence, terrorism and war

• The meaning and significance of:
  • peace
  • justice
  • forgiveness
  • reconciliation.
• Violence, including violent protest.
• Terrorism.
• Reasons for war, including greed, self-defence and retaliation.
• The just war theory, including the criteria for a just war.
• Holy war.
• Pacifism.

Religion and belief in 21 st century conflict

• Religion and belief as a cause of war and violence in the contemporary world.
• Nuclear weapons, including nuclear deterrence.
• The use of weapons of mass destruction.
• Religion and peace-making in the contemporary world including the work of individuals influenced by religious teaching.
• Religious responses to the victims of war including the work of one present day religious organisation.

Keywords:

Abortion

The deliberate ending of a pregnancy.

Afterlife

Beliefs about what happens to ‘us’ after our body has died; in many religions this relates to life after death or immortality in some form.

Animal experimentation

The use of animals for medical research and product testing.

Awe and Wonder

Sense of wonderment at nature; often linked to the feeling that God is involved/revealed through it.

Big Bang Theory

Scientific theory about the origins of the universe; belief that the universe began almost 14 billion years ago with a reaction of particles from a singularity followed by a process of inflation and expansion.

Death

The end of the physical, bodily life.

Dominion

Belief that humans have been given control/charge of the world.

Environment

The world around us; this can be made up natural or artificial surroundings.

Euthanasia

Assisting with the ending of life for a person who is terminally ill or has degenerative illness; often known as assisted suicide.

Evolution

Scientific theory of the development of species which involves a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest.

Natural resources

Resources which are found in nature – fossil fuels (eg coal, oil, natural gas), plants etc.

Pollution

Contamination of an environment with harmful substances.

Quality of life

The standard of health, comfort and happiness/fulfillment experienced by a person or group.

Responsibility

Having a duty or obligation to act in a certain way.

Sanctity of life

Belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals.

Scientific

Knowledge based on what can be observed (eg regularities in nature) and experimentation.

Stewardship

Duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it.