War and peaceIssues and morality

War Inter group lethal conflict marked by much killing having a momentum of its own resulting in planned death and destruction Declared/legal Generally just ends things/resolves

nothing?

Characteristics of war Open armed legitimate conflict Active hostility/struggle Military operation (church) a necessary evil

war One group hurting another group to keep

that group from hurting them. Lesson of war…is NO MORE WAR War is not glorifying, it is horrifying.

Causes Economic- control of resources eventual

oppression and often revolt (church calls for stewardship)

Political – ruling and economic advantage (church calls for balance of power…empower the powerless)

Cultural – ideologies and belief systems difference (tolerance)

Basic Cause Selfishness, greed, fear and anger

Church teaching Church history regarding war—see page 212 Peace of God—treaty declaring non-combatant

immunity Truce of God– treaty declaring war could not

occur during Advent, Lent, Easter, Christmas, or any holydays…only about 80 days of the year.

Excommunication if not obeyed Just War Tradition- St. Augustine author (pg

213)

Church teaching 1983- US Bishops--The Challenge of Peace:

God’s Promise and Our Response(211-212) Defensive posture Use of a nuclear weapon morally

unacceptable(214) First strike , morally unacceptable Condemned testing, buildup, stockpiling,

proliferation of nuclear weapons Encouraged bilateral disarmament

Terrorism Terrorist acts not done in the name of a

country but a cause Separating combatants from non-

combatants is quite difficult Success not easily measured/visible Terrorism built on contempt for human life It is a crime against humanity

Terrorism Therefore there is a right to defend oneself

against terrorism with respect for moral and legal limits.

See pg. 215 Guilty to be identified and held as

personally culpable. Guilt is not to be extended to nation, ethnic

group or religion that terrorist belongs to.

Peace Law, order, harmony, serenity, calm A community that expresses a spirit of

justice and interpersonal love. A community that preserves and listens for

truth.

Peaceful means Nonviolence—conflict-resolving techniques that

do not rely on physical or psychological injury of an enemy. See handout

Enemy –seen as the lie Nonviolence is active resistance Seeks to defeat injustice not people Seeks friendship and understanding In deep faith believes suffering can transform and

educate. Accepts consequences of actions.

Pacifism Active-peacemaking…nonviolent conflict

resolution is seen as only choice Seek truth, blend truth, reject falsehoods,

arbitrate, negotiate resolve.

Jesus and Peace Jesus made nonviolence response clear Love your enemies, pray for your

persecutors, turn the other cheek, forgive, forgive, forgive everyone, everything (Morrie)

Not just a personal , but also a communal response.

Traditional church teaching- continued

Conscientious objection-page 217 Non-violence/Pacifism –see p.216