Today’s Checklist

Take up Darfur Now Peace and violence continued Just War Theory Introduction

Violence…love/hate

Where do you see a fascination with or interest in violence?

Fans love violence

Violence – what is it?

Violence refers to harming or destroying the well-being or existence of a person, group or community. The harm is not restricted to physical action; it can also be spiritual or psychological. Violence touches every level of human relationships, from the personal to the global, including our treatment of the earth. Write this down

Is it permissible to fight for the Righteous?

Can good come from evil?

Who decides when war is justified?

By what criteria do they judge a war?

Does God bless conflict?

Why does God suffer death and destruction in His name?

Is war about justice or destruction?

What is a just war?

Just War Theory

St. Augustine, a 4th Century Doctor of the Church, set the bar very high. War should be the last, not first resort of nations. Many of his views are said to have influenced Thomas Aquinas, whose writings on the subject have come to be known as the "Just War Theory." As the Coalition powers continue their war of attrition with insurgents in Iraq, the Catholic Church and other religious denominations are expressing strong reservations on the morality of these actions.

Just War Theory

theory from Doctors of the Church•St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas

theory set out by Aquinas to make war and human dignity in war moral necessities

In the name of God

money

revenge power

hatred

Wars throughout history

For centuries, different religions, cultures and countries have waged war for a variety of reasons:

List as many virtuous reasons to start a war as possible.

Operation Overlord begins—June 6, 1944. The Allies fight to reclaim France from Nazi Germany.

Just Cause: force may be used only to correct a grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive violation of the basic rights of whole populations

Blessed be the Lord my strength, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.

Psalm 144:1

A class poll

How many agree or disagree with the following statement?

Direct annihilation of the enemy’s forces must always be the dominant consideration. • Karl Von Klausewitz, 19th Century Philosopher

Proportionality: all subsequent conflict must be proportional to the original damage inflicted; i.e. torture cannot be used in a war, nor nuclear weapons. Also, only enemy combatants should be fired upon. Civilians should not be harmed in any way.

Probability of Success:Arms may not be used in a futile cause or ina case where disproportionate measures are

required to achieve success.War is acceptable only when there is a strong

chance of imminent victory and minimal casualties.

A militia group in Nepal dispatches with a rival faction. The group acts as judge, jury and executioner.

White supremacists express their admiration for Hitler and declare a war of racial purification.

At the turn of the 20th Century, a lynch mob prepares to dispense justice

The grim result of vigilante justice

In Los Angeles the Crips and the Bloods battle for territory and supremacy.

Hundreds die each year.

Legitimate Authority:

Only a duly constituted public authority; i.e. a nation’s military or reserve units, may use deadly force or wage war. No vigilante or militia groups are morally justified to fight private wars.

Last Resort —

War is only acceptable when all other peaceful means have been exhausted; i.e. diplomacy, sanctions, referenda

It is easier to make war than to make peace.

Georges Clemenceau

What could a country or coalition do before engaging in combat?

Diplomacy—countries meet in a neutral location; i.e. UN headquarters, and attempt to solve conflict peacefully

Trade embargo/economic sanctions—a group of countries withhold vital goods and services to force the offending country to comply with the general will.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

Thomas Paine

Perhaps, in time, humanity will grow beyond its infancy and realize a lasting peace. Until then, the fighting will continue.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you….Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

John 14:27

7. Is war about justice or destruction?

Choose any three questions and write 3-4 sentence responses for each.1. Is it permissable to fight for a righteous cause?2. Can good come from evil?

3. Who decides when war is justified?4. By what criteria is a war judged?5. Does God bless conflict?

6. Why does God suffer death and destruction in His name?

8. Is the use of torture in war a necessary evil?9. Should a war be fought if there is no hope of victory?10. Is a war that lasts many years, with thousands of casualties, a success?

Countering injustice

The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi Reflect upon the prayer

• What is St. Francis’ response to injustice?

Writing your own prayer for peace

Journal entry

Write a journal entry (not to be handed in)…are you at peace with yourself, others, friends, family, or other groups of people.

What steps would you use in order to create a climate of peace in their particular situation?