Year 11 - Religious education
Contrasting religious views about violence
Religion, peace and conflict
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils examine ideas of violence and how some religions justify war in terms of holy or just war. They will move on to examine specific ideas such as nuclear war and terrorism. Finally they will examine the role of religion in finding and making peace.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Christians, Muslims, and non-religious people respond to war, including different beliefs about when (if ever) violence can be justified.
Key Notes
- There are a range of potential negative outcomes of war, including loss of life and damage to the environment.
- Christians may quote Matthew 5:9 when arguing that violence is wrong and Christians should avoid it.
- Muslims may cite Surah 2.190 when justifying violence as a response to persecution.
- Islam allows conflict, but it should not transgress the limits.
- Many people, both religious and non-religious, believe that conflict should only ever be a last resort.
Vocabulary To Learn
- conflict: a serious disagreement or fight, which can be between people, groups, or countries; can sometimes lead to war
- persecution: unfair treatment of people, often because of their religion, beliefs, or identity; some religious teachings allow self-defence if people are being persecuted
- last resort: the final option when every other choice has been tried or is not possible
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Christians and Muslims do not think about conduct in war.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are a range of potential negative outcomes of war, including loss of life and damage to the environment. Christians may quote Matthew 5:9 when arguing that violence is wrong and Christians should avoid it.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'conflict'
a serious disagreement or fight, which can be between people, groups, or countries; can sometimes lead to war.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Christians and Muslims do not think about conduct in war. Correction: Both Christianity and Islam think about possible limits and boundaries for war. Both religions aim for peace but accept war in limited conditions.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different religious views about pacifism Study Guide
- Different religious views about weapons of mass destruction Study Guide
- Nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence Study Guide
- Pacifism Study Guide
- Reasons for war Study Guide
- Religion and peace-making Study Guide
- Religion as a cause of war and Holy War Study Guide
- Religious responses to victims of war Study Guide
- Terrorism Study Guide
- The Just War theory Study Guide
- The meaning and significance of peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation Study Guide
- The work of Christian Aid for victims of war Study Guide
- Violence, including violent protest Study Guide
- Weapons of mass destruction Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.