Coursework second draft

Part A

Every person is unique, they think for themselves, feel for themselves, and have a right to be their self, life is extremely valuable, not to be thrown away not to be wasted not to be destroyed.

In war whether intentional or not lives are lost.

If we look at the bible closely we can actually see it doesn’t just support one theory on war. As times change so do the teachings in the bible, much of the Old Testament is supporting the view of war whereas the New Testament is supportive of pacifism.

For centuries violence was used to support religions to spread faith, and it wasn’t frowned upon. However nowadays there is much controversy over what part war plays in people’s religion and there very varied opinions on war and fighting in general.

Each and every Christian however will have there own views on whether we should be pro war or pacifism and what God would approve and disapprove of. If asked where Christians would take their advice from the most likely answer would be from the bible, but with its different views the bible can confused or put across messages that are interpreted differently by different people.

 Christian teachings on war

However many pacifist teachings there are, there are still some supporting pro war and their messages are very clear.

Many of the passages contain teachings which claim you will be rewarded for fighting out, if God didn’t want people to go to war then he wouldn’t be rewarding them for going and fighting. If God had wanted people to not fight then nothing would indicate that fighting can be justified.

“If you call I will answer”

And

“If you put an end to oppression then the darkness around you will turn into the brightness of neon.”

Isaiah 58

Both of these are indicating that God will support people up in war, he will protect them and help them as long as they are going to war to free people from human rights.

One of the most obvious and teachings supporting war found in the bible are from the book of Joel, it backs up theories that war was justified or teachings such as this would not have been taught.

Proclaim this among the nations:

Prepare for war!

Rouse the warriors!

Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

Beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears”

This is instructs man to turn all their ordinary machines and everyday work appliances and turn them into something that can be fought with and help during a war. This is leading Christians to believe that war is right or it wouldn’t be telling them to prepare and gather weapons and fighters.

 Such teachings as these,

“My presence will with you on every side.”

Lead Christians to believe they will be protected in war so they don’t have to fear fighting, and why would God protect them if they were going against his will.

Even a small passage like this can put doubt in a Christians mind that war is wrong. Many will turn other teachings to reassure themselves war is wrong, as one of these is:

“Thou shall not kill.”  

The holy wars

  • To spread the faith.
  • To retrieve countries that were once Christian, even though there are no Christians left there.
  • To rescue Christians in countries that were once Christian from 'the servitude of the infidels'.
  • Recover and purify consecrated places that are presently being 'polluted and profaned'.
  • Avenge blasphemous acts, or cruelties and killings of Christians (even if these took place long ago).

These were the 5 causes for holy war defined by Frances Bacon (1561-1626)

Holy wars normally have three elements.

  • The achievement of a religious goal.
  • Authorised by a religious leader.
  • A spiritual reward for those that take part.

Some of the most famous examples are the holy wars started in 1095 by Pope Urban II.

Pope Urban II was born around 1035, his family was of nobility living in northern France. We was educated at a religious orientated school associated with Reims Cathedral, he would eventually go on to become their canon and archdeacon.

On march 12th 1088 he was elected pope however he was still in exile after trying to support the previous pope during the struggle with the Holy roman emperor, in 1094 he was able to enter Rome after gaining support. He was a member of the reform movement and was trying to remove the clergy from the worldly values and influences meaning that everything was much closer to life in general inside the monastery.

The crusades he started were seen as attempts to realize his vision, being a well educated man he knew how to manipulate people. He called a meeting (the council of Clermont) purposely fixing it among the Franks, as he knew they were warm tempered people. The pope was a main speaker enchanting the people, he convinced them that the Turks were threatening Europe and that action needed to be taken.

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The crusades lasted from 1095 until 1291 CE. The aim was to capture the sacred places in the Holy Land from the Muslims who lived there, so it was intended as a war to right wrongs done against Christianity.

Pope Urban raged at the capture of the holy places and the treatment given to Christians, and ordered a war to restore Christianity. He said that the war would have the support of God:

“Let this be your war-cry in combats, because this word is given to you by God. When an armed attack is made upon the enemy, let this ...

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