The United Nations -
You should firstly know some facts about the UN-
The main aims of the UN are to promote world peace and encourage economic , social , educational and cultural progress .
All countries are allowed to apply to be members of the UN
Once a year all the members meet together to talk about issues this is called the general assembly
There is also whats known as the security council which have 5 permanent and 10 non - permeant members who are selected every 2 years
All countries are allowed to apply to be members of the UN
Once a year all the members meet together to talk about issues this is called the general assembly
There is also whats known as the security council which have 5 permanent and 10 non - permeant members who are selected every 2 years
You should also know the main ways the UN promotes peace -
- They can give countries who threaten world peace punishments
- They allow member states to use force
- They also have a UN peacekeeping force who can be sent in to deal with conflict
- The international criminal court makes sure international laws are followed and can punish anyone committing war crimes
- They allow member states to use force
- They also have a UN peacekeeping force who can be sent in to deal with conflict
- The international criminal court makes sure international laws are followed and can punish anyone committing war crimes
Forgiveness and Reconciliation -
You will need to know some Christian and Jewish teachings on Reconciliation and forgiveness generally Christians and Jews are taught to forgive apart from extreme situations. Christians are not expected to have reconciliation with those who goes against Christian beliefs and Jews are not expected to forgive those who don't ask for forgiveness or enemies of Judaism. Here are some teachings for why generally Christians and Jews will forgive -
Christian -- Jesus died on the cross for our sins to bring forgiveness
- If we expect God to forgive us for our sins we must also forgive others for theirs - St Paul taught that Christians should try to live in peace with everyone - the quote " Love your enemies " - Sermon on the mount |
Jewish --The Tenakh encourages people to forgive those who have done wrong
- Jews are expected forgive those who have wronged on their death bed so God will forgive them for theirs - There are 10 set days a year Jews are expected to go out and seek those they have done wrong to ask for their forgiveness - In Judaism its taught that God will forgive those who show him true repentance and they can show this through asking for forgiveness for their sins |
Now try or plan this exam question -
C part - Take at least one religion and explain why they feel forgiveness and reconciliation is important
C part - Take at least one religion and explain why they feel forgiveness and reconciliation is important
Example answer - One reason that Christians may feel its important to use forgiveness is Jesus died on the cross for our sins to bring forgiveness and therefore Christians should respect this and also try to forgive those who have wronged them as Jesus did. A second reason Christians may feel Forgiveness is important is because of the quote " love your enemies " from the sermon on the mount this suggests to Christians that they should be forgiving because it shows even though your enemies may have done wrong to you, you should try to forgive and love them regardless. One reason why Jews may feel forgiveness is important is because the tenakh encourages Jews to forgive people and therefore Jews should try to be forgiving as they should follow the rules of their holy books. A second reason Jews may feel its important to be forgiving is they want to be forgiven for their sins by God when they die and to do this on their death bed they are expected to forgive others of their sins so that they can be forgiven for theirs by God.
Just war -
Just war theory is rules that many religions use in war to make it acceptable see the slides below for the criteria of just war -
Some Christians and some Jews support Just war and have teachings to back their views up see the table below -
Christian- It is the teachings of all main churches that Christians have the rights to fight in Just wars
- St Paul says that Christians should follow orders of the government - Jesus never condemned solider he met - Army is needed to protect innocent countries from criminal ones |
Jewish- If there was a Jewish army the Holocaust may not have happened
- Tenakh shows how Israel use defence to keep their independence when attacked - Tenakh has accounts of where God was involved in wars - The Talmud teaches that if Jews are being attacked by enemies they can attack if it will stop the enemy |
Pacifism -
However some Christians and some Jews feel that pacifism ( Refusing to fight ) is a better answer
Here are some reasons some Christians believe in pacifism -
- All wars end with some lives being lost - " thou shall not kill "
- Just wars don't use weapons of mass destruction meaning no modern wars can be just
- " Love your enemies" suggests we should be peaceful and not fight those we disagree with
- Jesus stopped Peter using violence when soldiers came to arrest him
- " Blessed are the peace makers "
- All wars end with some lives being lost - " thou shall not kill "
- Just wars don't use weapons of mass destruction meaning no modern wars can be just
- " Love your enemies" suggests we should be peaceful and not fight those we disagree with
- Jesus stopped Peter using violence when soldiers came to arrest him
- " Blessed are the peace makers "