Pacifism

Religious education

Peace and conflict

Pacifism is the belief that violence of any kind is unjustifiable. Therefore, all disputes should be settled with peaceful means.

Pacifism is the belief that violence should be avoided. It can be used as a last resort.

Violence should be pursued in order to resolve conflicts swiftly.

Which is the best definition of pacifism?

Can Mairead Corrigan be considered a pacifist?

Can Dietrich Bonhoeffer be considered a pacifist?

Which of the following people used force in the Battle of Badr?

Which of the following people became involved in a plot to kill Hitler?

Which of the following people founded Women for Peace?

Weapons that involve a nuclear reaction. They devastate a huge area and kill large numbers.

Weapons that kill a large number of people and/or cause great damage to the natural environment.

Weapons that use chemicals to poison, burn or paralyse humans. They can also cause great damage to the natural environment.

What is the definition of weapons of mass destruction?

What country did America drop two nuclear bombs on during WWII?

How many people are estimated to have died as a result of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Which part of the Christian just war theory would be used to disagree with the use of weapons of mass destruction.

Muhammad didn't use any force at all. Therefore WMD are unacceptable.

Muhammad killed as many opposition soldiers as possible. WMD are therefore acceptable.

Muhammad used WMD in the Battle of Badr. Therefore, it is fine to use them today.

Muhammad was careful to only use minimum force. Instead of killing opposition forces, where possible, he captured them. WMD are not proportionate force. They kill huge numbers of people.Therefore WMDs are unacceptable.

How can the actions of Muhammad in the Battle of Badr be used to form a view on WMD?

Content guidance

Contains conflict or violence.

Adult supervision suggested

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Pacifism

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.