just war theory.pdf

7/27/2019 Just War Theory.pdf

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Todays Checklist

Take up Darfur Now

Peace and violence continued

Just War Theory Introduction


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Violencelove/hate Where do you see a

fascination with or

interest in violence?

Fans love violence
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/603432http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/603432


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Violence what is it? Violence refers to harming or destroying the

well-being or existence of a person, group or

community. The harm is not restricted tophysical action; it can also be spiritual or

psychological. Violence touches every level

of human relationships, from the personal

to the global, including our treatment of the

earth.

Write this down


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Is it permissible to fight for the Righteous?

Can good come from evil?

Who decides when war is justified?

By what criteria do they judge a war?

Does God bless conflict?

Why does God suffer death and

destruction in His name?

Is war about justice or destruction?

What is a just war?


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Just War Theory St. Augustine, a 4th Century Doctor of the Church,

set the bar very high. War should be the last, not

first resort of nations. Many of his views are said to

have influenced Thomas Aquinas, whose writingson the subject have come to be known as the "Just

War Theory." As the Coalition powers continuetheir war of attrition with insurgents in Iraq, the

Catholic Church and other religious denominationsare expressing strong reservations on the moralityof these actions.


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Just War Theory theory from Doctors of the Church

St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas

theory set out by Aquinas to make war andhuman dignity in war moral necessities


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In the name of God

money

revenge power

hatred

Wars throughout history

For centuries, different religions, cultures and countries have

waged war for a variety of reasons:


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List as many virtuous reasons to start a war as possible.


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Operation Overlord beginsJune 6, 1944. The Allies

fight to reclaim France from Nazi Germany.

Just Cause:force may be used only to correct agrave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive

violation of the basic rights of whole populations

B le ssed be the Lo rd mys t r eng th , m y r oc k , w ho t r a i n sm y hands f o r ba t t l e , my f i nge r sf o r wa r .

Psalm 144:1


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A class poll

How many agree or disagree with the

following statement?

Direct annihilation of the enemys forces

must always be the dominantconsideration. Karl Von Klausewitz, 19th Century Philosopher


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Proportionality: all

subsequent conflict must

be proportional to the

original damage inflicted;i.e. torture cannot be used

in a war, nor nuclear

weapons. Also, only

enemy combatants should

be fired upon. Civilians

should not be harmed in

any way.


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Probability of Success:Arms may not be used in a futile cause or in

a case where disproportionate measures are

required to achieve success.

War is acceptable only when there is a strong

chance of imminent victory and minimal

casualties.


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A militia group in Nepaldispatches with a rival faction.The group acts as judge, jury

and executioner.

White supremacists express theiradmiration for Hitler and declare

a war of racial purification.


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At the turn of the 20th

Century, a lynch mob

prepares to dispense

justice

The grim result of vigilante

justice


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In Los Angeles the Crips and the

Bloods battle for territory and

supremacy.

Hundreds die each year.


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Legitimate Authority:

Only a duly constituted public authority; i.e. a nations military

or reserve units, may use deadly force or wage war. No vigilante

or militia groups are morally justified to fight private wars.


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Last Resort

War is only acceptable when all other

peaceful means have been exhausted;

i.e. diplomacy, sanctions, referenda


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I t i s easi e r t o m ake w ar than to mak e peace .Georges Clemenceau

What could a country or coalition do before engaging in combat?

Diplomacycountries meet in a neutrallocation; i.e. UN headquarters, andattempt to solve conflict peacefully

Trade embargo/economicsanctionsa group of countrieswithhold vital goods and services toforce the offending country to comply

with the general will.


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I f the re m ust be t roub le , l e t it be in m y day ,tha t m y ch i ld m ay have peace .

Thomas Paine

Perhaps, in time, humanity will grow beyond itsinfancy and realize a lasting peace. Until then, thefighting will continue.

B lessed a re thepeacem ake r s , fo rthey sh a l l be ca l l edch i l d ren o f God .

Matthew 5:9

Peace I l eave w i thyou; my peace Ig i ve to you .Donot l e t your hea r t sbe t r oub l ed , and dono t l e t them bea f ra id .

John 14:27


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7. Is war about justice or destruction?

Choose any three questions and write 3-4 sentence responses for each.

1. Is it permissable to fight for a righteous cause?

2. Can good come from evil?

3. Who decides when war is justified?

4. By what criteria is a war judged?

5. Does God bless conflict?

6. Why does God suffer death and destruction in His name?

8. Is the use of torture in war a necessary evil?

9. Should a war be fought if there is no hope of victory?

10. Is a war that lasts many years, with thousands of casualties, a success?


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Countering injustice

The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Reflect upon the prayer

What is St. Francis response to injustice? Writing your own prayer for peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlCYFjeHEYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKlCYFjeHEY


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Journal entry

Write a journal entry (not to be handedin)are you at peace with yourself,others, friends, family, or other groups of

people.

What steps would you use in order tocreate a climate of peace in theirparticular situation?

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