Peace and Conflict - 2 - Violent protest and terrorism

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AQA GCSE RS (from 2018)
Jeni McClean
Flashcards by Jeni McClean, updated more than 1 year ago
Jeni McClean
Created by Jeni McClean almost 7 years ago
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Question Answer
Protest An expression of disapproval, often in a public group e.g. students marching in London in November 2015 to protest against the Ł9000 a year university tuition fees.
Violence Using actions that threaten or harm others.
Terrorism The unlawful use of violence (usually against innocent civilians) to achieve a political goal e.g. the Paris attacks in November 2015.
UK law and Protest The right to protest is considered to be a fundamental democratic freedom. The law in the UK allows individuals and groups to protest in public to demonstrate their point of view. If the protest involves a march, the police must be told at least six days before it takes place. The police can request alterations to the route or even apply to a court for an order to ban the march. They may do this if they feel that the march might intimidate other people or if they predict that violence will be involved.
Case study of recent protest: London 2011 While the right to protest peacefully is protected in the UK, there is no right to protest violently. An unplanned protest that descends into violence is called a riot. In 2011, there was rioting in London and other towns and cities in the UK, sparked by a police shooting of a local man in Tottenham. A peaceful march in response to the shooting took place, but it was followed by rioting, looting and criminal damage as other people took advantage of the situation across the country.
Peaceful protest in the USA Civil Rights Movement (1950s and 60s) Peaceful protest was an important part of the Civil Rights Movement in the USA in the 1950s and 1960s. The most famous of these movement leaders was a Christian pastor (minister) called Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Influenced by Gandhi, he organised peaceful rallies to protest about racial and social inequalities. Even though King was assassinated in 1968, the peaceful methods adopted by the Civil Rights movement proved successful, and equal rights legislation was passed into US law. Martin Luther KingŐs peaceful protests reflect the beliefs shared by many Christians that protest to achieve what is right is acceptable, provided violence is not used.
Statement about religious beliefs and violence No religion promotes violence in their teaching, and all are generally agreed that conflict should be avoided if at all possible.
Quote from Tony Blair (ex UK Prime Minister) on the aims of terrorism ŇThe purpose of terrorism lies not just in the violent act itself. It is in producing terror. It sets out to inflame, to divide, to produce consequences which terrorists then use to justify terror.Ó
Explanation of terrorism A more serious form of protest is terrorism. This is where an individual, or a group who share certain beliefs, use terror as part of their campaign to further their cause. This violence usually deliberately targets civilians and takes place in public. Suicide bombers, car bombs and gunmen shooting into crowds of people are all tactics of terrorism. Terrorists believe that by killing people in this way, the rest of society will become more aware of their cause, will be scared of them and push the authorities into giving way into their demands.
Relationship between religion and terrorism Unfortunately, terrorism can also be associated with religion, including Christianity e.g. Ku Klux Klan and 'Army of God' etc. However, no religion promotes terrorism. Most Christians consider terrorist acts of violence to be wrong, especially as the victims are usually innocent people going about their normal daily business. They prefer more peaceful ways of resolving issues.
Quote from Quran (4:29-30) on avoiding hostility and injustice ŇDo not kill each other, for God is merciful to you. If any of you does these things, out of hostility and injustice, we shall make him suffer fire.Ó
Disassociating real religion from terrorism Even though the terrorists involved in 9/11 and 7/7 attached themselves to Islam, most Muslims and community leaders condemned the attacks. In many cases this condemnation was shared with other religious leaders to show their solidarity against terrorism. Muslims do not agree with terrorism because terrorist acts of violence are considered to be wrong and against the will of God, especially as the victims are usually innocent people going about their normal everyday business. There is no justification for terrorist acts in the teachings of Islam.
Quote from Quran (17:33) on not taking life ŇDo not take life, which God has made scared (holy).Ó
United Nations Security Council definition of Terrorism ŇActs intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organisation to do or abstain from doing any act.Ó
Attempt to justify for terrorist actions Claims: They are fighting against social and political injustice, where a group of people are being denied their human rights. They are freedom fighters.
Christian attitudes to seeking peace Christianity teaches non-violence. Indeed, in the Gospels Jesus states very clearly in the 'Sermon on the Mount': "Blessed are the peacemakers. They will be called the children of God." Jesus also told his disciples to "turn the other cheek" in the face of violence, and to "love their enemies." Finally, even at his arrest when one of his disciples drew out his sword Jesus cries out: "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."
Christian acceptance of some protest Christians still believe that God has given individuals free will. This means that on some occasions non-violent protests will be ignored, so perhaps violence may be used to change an unjust law. This was certainly the case with Nelson Mandela who felt that protest alone would not bring about an end to the discriminatory law of Apartheid.
Meaning of the word 'Islam' Islam means 'peace' or 'submission'
Islamic acceptance of some protest Violence may be used in self-defence. Muslims believe that they have a religious duty to protest about anything which is unfair
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