"Justice and War are incompatible". Discuss War is defined as armed conflict between two or more groups. The purpose of war is to resolve conflict.

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“Justice and War are incompatible”. Discuss

     War is defined as armed conflict between two or more groups. The purpose of war is to resolve conflict. We see from Richard Norman that war by its very nature is problematic because it involves activities, which are normally thought deeply wrong. For example, the deliberate maiming and killing of other human beings. The main concern with any type of war is whether it can be justified. Some people may say war can never be justified because it goes against values we humans should hold, such as the preservation of human life. These people may include pacifists who believe in the sanctity of life. Other people may believe war can be justified if the just war criteria are met. Patriots may believe war can be justified because we have a duty to fight for our country and protect out neighbour.

     Some people may believe justice and war are incompatible because the intentional killing of another human being can never be seen as a justified act. Pacifists believe all fighting is wrong and that there are more creative ways to resolve conflict such as boycotts, sit-ins and strikes. They claim these techniques result in much less destruction, suffering and misery and are less wasteful in terms of the world’s resources and human lives. Pacifists are committed to ensuring peace without resorting to violence. Some pacifists base their beliefs on deontological justification, so war is intrinsically wrong and a priori wrong. Justice and war are incompatible because civilians are being used as a means to an end and this act can never be seen as righteous. For absolute pacifists war is a moral obscenity. An example of Christian pacifism is the Quaker peace testimony. This states “We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world.”

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Many Christians believe war and justice are incompatible because of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill”. This is clear instruction to Christians that taking another person’s life is wrong and this intentional killing can never be justified.  

Other Christian pacifists say violence leads to more violence. They may have come to believe violence does more harm than good because Jesus said, “Those who lives by the sword will die by the sword”. Some Christians learn form Jesus’ example and teachings, such as “blessed are the peacemakers”, “turn the other cheek” and “love your enemy”. From these teachings some Christians ...

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