Hindu attitudes to war and
peace are based on the
teachings of Hindu sacred texts
such as the Vedas, the Laws of
Manu and the Bhagavad Gita.
Ahimsa (a very
important belief
in Hinduism)
means trying to
fight injustice
and evil but
without using any
physical force.
Christianity
Biblical Teachings About War
The Old Testament
The famous Old Testament quotation
used to justify war: "But if there is
serious injury, you are to take life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot." Exodus 21:23-24
The words are intended to limit
revenge, not encourage
vengeance. But revenge is not
consistent with the later teaching
of Jesus.
The New Testament
Jesus is often described as a
pacifist. He taught: "Blessed are the
peacemakers for they will be called
the children of God." Matthew 5.9
When he was arrested in the Garden of
Gethsemane, his disciples wanted to defend
him: When Jesus’ followers saw what was
going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we
strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck
the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right
ear. But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And
he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Luke
22:49-51
The Sixth Commandment (from the Ten
Commandments, given to Moses) says,
‘You shall not murder,’ but there are
occasions when the Jewish people are
told by God to attack people who oppose
them.
Jesus' Anger
There are two occasions in the gospels when Jesus is
obviously angry. One of these is in the Temple in Jerusalem:
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were
buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the
money-changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is
written,’ he said to them. ‘My house will be called a house of
prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’ Matthew
21:12-13
The other event takes place outside of Jerusalem, Early in
the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was
hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but
found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you
never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered.’
Matthew 21:18-19
Most Christians believe that war and fighting are
wrong except in the most severe cases and they
base their views on Jesus’ teaching about love: A
new command I give you: love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
Involvement In War
In the past there have been many
occasions when Christians have fought
wars and when Christian countries
have fought each other including:
The Crusades
The First and Second World Wars
Wars in Vietnam, Korea, the
Falklands/Malvinos, South Africa,
and Northern Ireland
Pacifism
Some Christians, such as
The Religious Society of
Friends (Quakers), are totally
opposed to fighting and
during warfare they are
conscientious objectors
(taking a public stance
against conflict).
They are prepared to go into battle driving
ambulances or doing other duties but they
will not fight.
Other Christians are
prepared to fight in the
armed services and there are
always chaplains attached
to military units.
Christians believe that
they should protest when
injustice is being done
against other people,
even though they may not
be Christians.