Peace, Justice, Forgiveness and Reconciliation Term Meaning Significance Examples Many Christians have worked for peace, Many Christians believe they should work for negotiating the end of The peace, because this is God’s will. wars and violence. absence of violence . and war, a Peace state of Some Christians have put Some Christians believe violence is justified, calm holy wars such as the or better than peace if it achieves something Crusades above peace. for God. Fairness, getting Christians, and many others, believe that what is Many have believed some people should act justly, and if they do deserved – wars are just, e.g. fighting wrong then it is just that they will be morally or against the Nazis. Justice punished. legally right Letting go of bad Christians believe that they should forgive feelings Some Christians have people who do bad things to them; whether towards forgiven those who have that means forgiving people and not going someone committed acts of violence to war, or forgiving those who have fought who has against them. against them. Forgiveness caused one pain Being reunited in Christians believe it is good for people who a positive Sometimes people who have been fighting to make up; they believe sense with fought on opposing sides someone many people should forgive each other and in wars forgive each other one was and become friendly. be friendly. separated Reconciliation from Religious References Jesus taught his followers that he brought them and that peace, being peaceful rather than violent was good. However, on other occasions he taught that he had not come to bring peace. Some Christians use this to justify taking part in violence, such as wars, if they feel God would approve of the cause. The Bible teaches that people should act however, Jesus justly; shows that God does not always punish humans, which would be just, but is merciful to them – and humans should be merciful to others. It is also important that humans know whether they are acting justly, as it is important not to take revenge on someone, thinking that it is justice. Jesus taught his followers to and that this was very important. He emphasised that people forgive, should keep on forgiving, and that if they did not forgive then God would not forgive them.
Peace, Justice, Forgiveness and Reconciliation Term Meaning Significance Examples Peace The absence of violence and war, a state of calm Many Christians believe they should work for peace, because this is God’s will. Many Christians have worked for peace, negotiating the end of wars and violence. . Some Christians believe violence is justified, or better than peace if it achieves something for God. Some Christians have put holy wars such as the Crusades above peace. Justice Fairness, getting what is deserved – morally or legally right Christians, and many others, believe that people should act justly, and if they do wrong then it is just that they will be punished. Many have believed some wars are just, e.g. fighting against the Nazis. Forgiveness Letting go of bad feelings towards someone who has caused one pain Christians believe that they should forgive people who do bad things to them; whether that means forgiving people and not going to war, or forgiving those who have fought against them. Some Christians have forgiven those who have committed acts of violence against them. Reconciliation Being reunited in a positive sense with someone one was separated from Christians believe it is good for people who have been fighting to make up; they believe many people should forgive each other and be friendly. Sometimes people who fought on opposing sides in wars forgive each other and become friendly. Religious References Jesus taught his followers that he brought them peace, and that being peaceful rather than violent was good. However, on other occasions he taught that he had not come to bring peace. Some Christians use this to justify taking part in violence, such as wars, if they feel God would approve of the cause. The Bible teaches that people should act justly; however, Jesus shows that God does not always punish humans, which would be just, but is merciful to them – and humans should be merciful to others. It is also important that humans know whether they are acting justly, as it is important not to take revenge on someone, thinking that it is justice. Jesus taught his followers to forgive, and that this was very important. He emphasised that people should keep on forgiving, and that if they did not forgive then God would not forgive them.
War-Revision-Guide-set-1-3-1.docx