Year 11 - Religious education
The Just War theory
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 the Just War theory, describe different Christian views, and give your opinion on whether a war can ever be justified.
Key Notes
- The Just War theory is a set of conditions which, if met, may suggest a war is justifiable.
- It is a largely Christian theory but has influenced international law on conflict.
- It suggests a war can only be called by a figure of authority, this is supported by Romans 13: 1-7.
- Many people argue that a war can never truly be justified.
- Some will use ethical theories, e.g. situation ethics, alongside the Just War theory, to make case-by-case decisions.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Just War theory: a set of ethical principles used to decide whether war is morally acceptable
- situation ethics: an ethical theory that emphasises making moral decisions based on the specific situation, rather than relying on fixed rules
- pacifist: someone who believes that all forms of violence are wrong and therefore refuse to participate in war or any other form of violence
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Any war fought by Christians is automatically 'just'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Just War theory is a set of conditions which, if met, may suggest a war is justifiable. It is a largely Christian theory but has influenced international law on conflict.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Just War theory'
a set of ethical principles used to decide whether war is morally acceptable.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Any war fought by Christians is automatically 'just'. Correction: The Just War theory has strict rules that many wars don't meet. Some students may think wars like WWI or the Crusades were 'just' because Christians fought in them, without realising conditions like the last resort or proportionality weren't met.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Contrasting religious views about violence Study Guide
- 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 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.