just war Essay - 2036 Words

One of the oldest traditions in religious ethics is that of the just war. The quot;Just War Theoryquot; specifies under which conditions war is just. Opposition based on the Just War Theory differs from that of pacifists. Oppositionists oppose particular wars but not all war. Their opposition is based on principals of justice rather than principles of pacifism (Becker 926). In the monotheistic religious traditions of Christianity and Islam, one role of God (or Allah) is to limit or control aggressions among humankind. In these religious traditions, God establishes an ideal or standard for the righteous use of force by followers of the faith. These standards, or just war traditions, address details of when to use force to solve†¦show more content†¦(Hunt, Crotty) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Islamic concept of jihad, often mistranslated as â€Å"holy war,† plays a strong role in Muslim just war tradition. Jihad more correctly refers to a â€Å"holy struggle† or â€Å"striving†. Unfortunately, jihad has been used as a means for justifying everything from defense of the right to worship Allah to blatant aggression against neighboring countries. Both Sunni and Shiite Muslim scholars recognize that jihad is a term to be used cautiously, as it seems to be in some sense applicable to fighting anyone whose faith in Allah can be questioned. Political leaders on the other hand have had a tendency to use the term whenever it increases their popularity or their people’s patience for enduring conflict. Iraq is one of numerous Middle Eastern nations that could be classified as dar-al-Islam; a nation in which Muslim law dictates much of everyday life. (Hunt, Crotty) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;On the other hand, the United States can be classified as a predominantly Christian nation if not by ethical values, then by population. While the significance of the Christian ethics of just war in the response to the invasion of Afghanistan and the Middle East could certainly be questioned, public opinion in the United States was much more clearly affected by Christian ethics. Numerous ChristianShow MoreRelatedNonviolence And Just War Theory2838 Words   |  12 PagesNonviolence and Just War Theory â€Å"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.† (Matthew 5:9) Historically, there has been consistent disagreement between political philosophers regarding the possibility of a justification of war. Theorists from Grotius to Gandhi have from time immemorial argued about whether violence can ever be sanctioned as a viable recourse for preventing evil. History itself, at various times, seems to offer lessons regarding the complexity of the issue—demonstratingRead MoreJust War Theory and Pacifism1734 Words   |  7 Pageswill evaluate literature on the topic, identify the different justifications for killing in time of war and decide if they legitimize our actions. After describing some compelling arguments, I will defend my own position that pacifism is the only ideal which mankind should embrace. According to traditional just war theory, a just cause must serve peace and not simply protect an unjust status quo. War must be used as a last resort and all pacifistic approaches must be undertaken. So, if your countryRead MoreEssay on The Just War Doctrine964 Words   |  4 PagesWar, in all its forms, is tragic. International law was created to establish some basis of rules to abide by—including war—and states have signed on to such a contract. The actions of states in this ever globalizing world are difficult to be controlled. 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It will do so through critical analysis of the condition of Just ad Bellum (JAB) because arguably if one carefully considers the moral conditions that make going to war justifiable then the same cautious, moral assumptions apply in Jus in Bello. Firstly it will briefly discuss the history of JWT and thusly the inherent problems within JAB applied in the contemporary world. Secondly it willRead More Just War Theory Essay3745 Words   |  15 PagesJust War Theory Price reduced due to problems with format One of the perennial realities of human existence is war. From the earliest recorded events of human history all the way through to modern times, human communities have engaged in armed conflict as a method of dispute resolution. 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