The Just War Theory

What is a just War?

• While many religions advocate against warfare, they often acknowledge that fighting may be permissible when it's the only way to avert a significant evil. 
• Within various religious traditions, specific guidelines outline when a war is considered legitimate and how it should be conducted to ensure it remains just or fair. 
• The underlying principle is that failing to fight could allow a greater harm to occur than the war itself, thus necessitating conflict in some cases.

Christianity and the Just War 

• In the 4th century, St. Augustine laid the groundwork for rules governing warfare, which were later expanded upon by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, forming the detailed Just War principles. 
• These principles stipulate that a war must:
  • Be waged for a valid and righteous cause, not for territorial expansion, resource acquisition, or vengeance.
  • Be initiated and overseen by a legitimate authority, such as a government.
  • Aim to advance good over evil, such as protecting innocent lives.
  • Seek peace as the ultimate goal of the conflict.
  • Be a final option, pursued only after all peaceful resolutions have been exhausted.
  • Have a reasonable likelihood of success to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
  • Take every precaution to minimize civilian casualties and use only the force necessary to achieve victory.
• Over time, these principles have evolved, and modern international agreements, such as the Geneva Convention (adopted by the UK in 1957), set standards for wartime conduct. 
• The United Nations, established in 1945, promotes peaceful conflict resolution among nations. 
• Biblical passages also provide justification for leaders to use force to maintain peace. 
• While many Christians accept the idea of a just war, they emphasize that preventing war altogether is preferable, and efforts should focus on avoiding situations where war becomes likely.
• However, some Christians reject Just War theory, arguing that it legitimizes warfare in certain cases, potentially leading to broader acceptance of conflict.

Islam and  Just War

• Islam does not have a formal Just War theory, but it has developed codes of conduct to determine when fighting is permissible and how it should be conducted. 
• The concept of "Lesser Jihad" requires Muslims to engage in combat under specific conditions, particularly against non-Muslim aggressors, with strict rules governing behavior. 
• A war is considered just in Islam if it meets these criteria:
  • It is a last resort after diplomacy and negotiations have failed.
  • It is fought in self-defense, with the initial aggression coming from the opposing side and after attempts at peaceful resolution.
  • As a religious duty, the decision to engage in war must come from a state leader.
  • The war is fought for a just cause, such as defending territory from external aggressors or, in civil conflicts, against internal rebel groups, not for personal gain.
  • Muslim nations may join a conflict to support another Muslim state under attack.
  • Fighting is permissible to protect Muslims mistreated in another state.
• When these conditions are fulfilled, the war is deemed just, and those who fight for Islam's cause are believed to earn divine favor and rewards.

Muslim Attitudes to Conduct in War

• Abu Bakr, the first Islamic caliph and a close companion of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), established rules for Muslim armies to follow during conflicts:
  • Armies must avoid treachery and adhere to righteous conduct.
  • Dead bodies must not be desecrated.
  • Women, children, and the elderly must not be harmed.
  • Trees, especially those bearing fruit, should not be destroyed, as they provide future sustenance.
  • Animals may only be killed for food.
  • Devout individuals, such as monks, should not be attacked.
• These rules, established over 1,300 years ago, remain relevant in Islamic teachings today. 
• While Muslims accept that wars fought under these just principles are permissible, they, like Christians, believe preventing war is far better, and efforts should focus on avoiding conflict.
• Both Muslims and Christians oppose the use of chemical weapons, as their disproportionate harm, especially to civilians, violates the principles of a just war.

Pacifist Views of Just War Theory

• Many Christians have historically opposed participation in warfare, embracing various forms of pacifism, ranging from active peace advocacy to those who require significant justification to support any war. 
• Christian pacifism draws on Jesus's teachings, such as those in the Sermon on the Mount, and his example of non-violence. 
• However, some argue that Jesus's pacifism was unique to his role as humanity's redeemer, and Christians, not being redeemers, should strive for peace and justice, even if it requires abandoning strict non-violence in some cases.
• Christian groups known for emphasizing pacifism include:
  • Mennonites: Emerging from the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s, they believe Christ's call to "love your enemies" prohibits any involvement in military actions.
  • Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends): Since their 1660 declaration, this group has maintained a firm commitment to non-violence.
• Pacifist views on Just War theory vary depending on the type of pacifism:
  • Absolute pacifists believe killing is never justified, even in self-defense, due to the supreme value of human life.
  • Conditional pacifists oppose war in principle but acknowledge that it may sometimes be the lesser evil.
  • Selective pacifists oppose only wars involving weapons of mass destruction due to their catastrophic impact.
  • Active pacifists engage in political efforts to promote peace and oppose specific wars.
• During conflicts, many pacifists refuse to fight but may participate in activities to mitigate war's harm, such as serving as ambulance drivers.