Pacifists want peace; they know there are so many unfair and unjust things in the world, but which can be solved without violence and conflict. ’Quakers’ are a group which are members of the Society of Friends. They are pacifist Christians who believe war is always wrong. There are many reasons why they believe this. Firstly they believe there is something of god in all people to free them from the fear of oppression. Luke 4:16-21.jesus said he was filled with the spirit of the lord-the spirit of freedom from fear and oppression. Secondly, Quakers believe more can be gained by appealing to the love and goodness in ourselves and in others, then by threats. Thirdly they believe ‘weapons of spirits’, love, non-violence, kindness and goodness, are weapons that heal and do not destroy. These are the weapons which will defeat evil. So in their view violence and war are not permitted under any circumstances.
This is quite different to those Christians who believe in a ‘just war’. The theory of ‘just war’ was brought about so that a war could be justified. There are five main points to a just war theory which should be taken into consideration when declaring war.
- Right authority, war can only be declared by the head of the state.
- Just reason, the war should be declared in a response to an attack.
- Right intention, war should not be bought about to get revenge on ulterior motives.
- Last resort, war should proceed if there is no other way to solving a problem.
- Likely to succeed, only if a country is likely to succeed should they declare war as a soldier should not be asked to fight and give up their lives if winning is impossible.
For those Christians who believe in a just war they believe it can be decided whether war should or should not go ahead.
In contrast, “terrorists are people who use extreme violence to achieve what they want, even at the cost of innocent lives.”
An example of this would be the September 11th 2001 attack on America from Afghanistan.
Many terrorists believe they are fighting a just war; however acts of terrorism fail to meet this theory. For one, decisions to carry out terrorists attacks are not declared by the head of the state. However, having referred to the five points of the just war theory, George Bush could declare war on Afghanistan. Romans 13:1-7.paul writes about the authority of the state. All authorities come from god. Christians have an obligation to obey authority, including the authority of their government. Does this mean that is a government orders Christians to fight in a war they should do so? This parable explains that is told by the government the Christians will not fight in a war. They will only do so if it is just.
Looking at the acts which are taken place in the Middle East from America at the moment, it is clear to see that George Bush is not a pacifist Christian, but perhaps one that believes in the theory of a just war.
