War, Peace and Violence - Teachings of Jesus

(Luke 22:49-51)

The Salvation Army, the Mennonites and the Quakers follow this teaching today. I have studied the Quakers.

The Quakers otherwise known as, the Society of Friends is non-Liturgical (Waiting on the Sprit) they believe actions are not necessary and everything comes from the heart. In the Quakers Meeting House they had no ministers or priests as they believe in equal rights and the meetings were held simply for the community and worship to a higher power or God. As the Quakers are pacifists they do not believe in violence and do not fight. They have no sacraments as their main belief to worship God. This group follow the words of Jesus.

However there are two occasions in the gospels when Jesus is angry. Here is a quote of one of the incidents in the Temple of Jerusalem:

'Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying or selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers 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)

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 gave you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."'

(John 13:34)

In the past there have been many occasions when Christians have fought wars and when Christian countries have fought each other: the Crusades, the First and Second World Wars, wars in Vietnam, Korea, the Falklands/Malvinos, South Africa and Northern Ireland. Some Christians, such as the Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends), are totally opposed to fighting and during warfare are conscientious objectors. 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 their military units.

Most Christians today would probably not be happy with any war that is not fought according to the Just War theory. Christians also believe that they might protest when injustice is begin done against other people, even though they might not be Christians.

Jemma Able 10 LRC Thursday Period 1 and 2