Year 11 - Religious education
Different religious views about pacifism
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 Christian teachings on pacifism and the reasons why Christians may or may not be pacifists.
Key Notes
- Christian views differ: some are absolute pacifists, others accept limited violence under Just War theory.
- Verses like "turn the other cheek" and "live at peace" support Christian pacifism.
- Quakers reject all violence; Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics may allow it in some cases.
- Natural Law and Situation Ethics can justify peace or limited force to protect life.
- Pacifists often act through peacebuilding, protest and support for victims.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Just War: set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God
- pacifism: belief that all violence is wrong, which then affects all behaviours
- peace: the opposite of war; harmony between all in society
- violence: behaviour involving physical force which intends to hurt, kill or cause damage
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Christians are pacifists because Jesus taught peace and non-violence.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Christian views differ: some are absolute pacifists, others accept limited violence under Just War theory. Verses like "turn the other cheek" and "live at peace" support Christian pacifism.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Just War'
set of rules for fighting a war in a way believed to be justified and acceptable to God.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Christians are pacifists because Jesus taught peace and non-violence. Correction: While some Christians, like Quakers, follow absolute pacifism, most Christian traditions accept that violence may be justified in certain circumstances, especially through Just War theory.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Contrasting religious views about violence 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.