Conflict resolution (AQA GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Catholic perspectives on conflict resolution

How has Christianity overcome the problems of conflict?

• Christianity has faced various conflicts throughout its history

• It has also found ways to overcome these challenges

• In the early centuries, different Christian groups disagreed over key beliefs, leading to disputes (eg the split between Catholic Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy)

  • Christianity responded with ecumenical councils such as the Council of Nicaea (AD325) to establish common doctrines and beliefs

  • Over time, many Christian denominations have worked for unity and dialogue, especially through organisations such as the World Council of Churches

• Throughout history, Christianity has been involved in wars and violence, such as the Crusades and the Thirty Years’ War

• In modern times, Christian leaders have advocated for peace and reconciliation

  • They emphasise Jesus’s teachings on love, forgiveness and non-violence

  • Christian peace organisations, such as Quakers and Catholic peace groups, promote peaceful solutions and work to prevent war

• Christianity has also addressed conflicts over issues such as slavery, racism and women’s rights

  • The abolition movement was supported by many Christians, who argued that enslavement was incompatible with Christian values

  • The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, led by Christian figures such as Martin Luther King Jr, used Christian principles to fight against racial segregation and injustice

  • Over time, Christianity has become more inclusive, working towards gender equality and human rights

• Today, Christianity is a global religion, and Christians are involved in peacebuilding efforts around the world

  • Many Christian leaders continue to work for interfaith dialogue and cooperation, especially in regions with religious tensions

What are Catholic perspectives on conflict resolution?

• Conflict resolution is the process of ending conflict peacefully through methods such as dialogue, forgiveness, justice and reconciliation rather than violence

• Catholic views are strongly influenced by the teachings of Jesus in the Bible

  • Jesus taught that conflicts should be resolved through love and forgiveness, not revenge

• Catholics believe peace is always preferable to war

  • Violence is seen as a failure of humanity, even when justified

  • Conflict should be prevented wherever possible through peaceful means

• Catholics believe that there are different ways in which peace can be achieved, such as through:

  • Dialogue, which means talking and negotiating to resolve disagreements

  • Forgiveness is very important, following Jesus’s teaching to forgive rather than seek revenge

  • Reconciliation or rebuilding relationships after conflict

  • Justice by addressing unfairness and inequality that cause conflict

Different perspectives on conflict resolution

What are the different perspectives on conflict resolution?

• Catholics believe conflicts should be resolved peacefully 

• This is related to the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, which emphasise forgiveness, love and reconciliation

  • Jesus taught Christians to be peacemakers, showing that dialogue and forgiveness are the best ways to resolve conflict

  • Christians also believe in justice and addressing root causes such as poverty and injustice

• Violence is seen as a last resort and only acceptable under just war theory when all peaceful options have failed

• Pacifists believe all violence is wrong, so conflict should always be resolved non-violently

  • They argue that violence only leads to more violence and suffering

  • They support non-violent protest, peaceful resistance, mediation and dialogue

  • Some Christians follow absolute pacifism, believing Jesus’s teachings allow no exceptions

• Some Christians, including Catholics, believe that force can be used when it is justified

  • Some believe conflict can be resolved using limited force if peaceful methods fail

  • This view supports conflict resolution, with force only used as a last resort

  • Catholics accept this view reluctantly, seeing war as a failure but sometimes necessary to restore peace

• Some governments believe conflict resolution sometimes requires military action, sanctions or law enforcement

  • This view is based on things such as national security, stability and protecting citizens

Christian organisations & conflict resolution

What Christian organisations work towards conflict resolution?

• The Catholic Church supports peacebuilding at local, national and global levels

  • Church leaders often encourage mediation, international cooperation and respect for human rights

• Catholics are encouraged to be peacemakers in everyday life, not just during war

  • Christians believe they should follow Jesus’s teachings in the Bible by promoting peace and helping victims of conflict

  • Many Christians are part of organisations that seek to support the victims of conflict worldwide

The work of Christian Aid

• Some religious charities work to help achieve peace

• They campaign for help for groups in conflict to rebuild their relationships or to assist people in war-torn countries

• Within Christianity, these groups include Christian Aid, Pax Christi and Tearfund

• Christian Aid is an international development organisation that works to address the root causes of poverty and injustice

• Its efforts to work for peace are within its broader mission of promoting social justice, human rights and equality

• Christian Aid’s work for peace is grounded in the teachings of Christianity, which emphasise love, justice, reconciliation and the pursuit of peace

  • Jesus’s teachings in the Bible, such as “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), are a central inspiration

  • Christian Aid views peace as a vital expression of these values 

• Christian Aid engages in initiatives that aim to:

  • Prevent conflict

  • Reduce violence

  • Protect human rights

  • Advocate for peace agreements

  • Foster reconciliation

• The organisation works with local communities, governments and peacebuilders to encourage dialogue, understanding and non-violent conflict resolution 

• By addressing issues such as poverty, inequality and access to resources, Christian Aid works towards creating the social and economic conditions that contribute to long-term peace

  • They believe that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, opportunity and dignity for all people

• In areas affected by violence, Christian Aid provides emergency relief such as food, shelter, medical care and psychological support

  • Their presence in conflict zones also creates opportunities for dialogue and the rebuilding of relationships between divided communities

• Christian Aid funds and implements projects that help communities heal and rebuild after conflict

  • These projects often include education on non-violence, building trust between those who were in conflict and promoting peace moving forward

The work of CAFOD

• CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales

  • It works in countries affected by war and conflict

• CAFOD helps with conflict resolution by:

  • Providing emergency aid to victims of war

  • Supporting peacebuilding projects

  • Encouraging dialogue and reconciliation

• CAFOD focuses on long-term solutions, such as tackling poverty and injustice, which are the root causes of conflict

• The work of CAFOD aligns with the Catholic belief that peace must be built through justice and compassion, not violence

The work of Pax Christi

• Pax Christi is a Catholic peace organisation

  • It promotes non-violence and peace worldwide

• Pax Christi is involved in many different projects aiming to:

  • Campaign against war and violence

  • Educate people about peaceful conflict resolution

  • Support reconciliation and forgiveness

• It is strongly influenced by the teachings of Jesus, believing that Christians should actively work to prevent conflict