What Role Does Religion Play In World Peace
Essay Question
For believers religion plays a critical role in helping the adherent understand and achieve peace, both for themselves as well as working toward a peaceful world.
Discuss this statement in relation to both Judaism and Christianity, using scriptural references to outline the principal teachings of both regarding peace and how these traditions guide the individual to the attainment of peace and contribute to world peace.
Religion plays a critical role in all aspects of life, one of which is peace. ‘Peace’ refers to both external and internal peace; religion helps adherents achieve peace within themselves and it also helps them strive towards …show more content…
Jewish organisations such as the Jewish Peace Fellowship and the Jewish Voice for Peace try to achieve peace through pacifist principles of non-violence. The Jewish Peace Fellowship is a pacifist group that uses elements in traditional and contemporary Judaism that stress love and brotherhood so support their cause of non-violence. They lend support to Conscientious Objectors in Israel who face continual isolation (Stillman, n.d.). They support pacifism and confronting evil in a non-violent way because the Torah tells them that “they [Israel] will be redeemed only through peace” (Deuteronomy Rabah 5:15). The Jewish Voice for Peace is also an organisation that supports non-violent means of achieving peace. They hope to help achieve peace in the Middle East through justice and full equality for both Palestinians and Israelis. Their recent campaigns have involved petitioning major financial company TIAA-CREF to divest from companies making a profit from the Israeli occupation of Gaza and supporting the boycott of a new theatre in the Ariel settlement (occupied area) by Israeli artists and performers (Jewish Voice for Peace, n.d.). Their goals and actions reflect the teaching of the Torah that there is a religious obligation to pursue peace, both internally and externally – “Seek peace, and pursue it – seek it in your own place, and pursue it even to another place as well.” (Leviticus Rabah
For believers religion plays a critical role in helping the adherent understand and achieve peace, both for themselves as well as working toward a peaceful world.
Discuss this statement in relation to both Judaism and Christianity, using scriptural references to outline the principal teachings of both regarding peace and how these traditions guide the individual to the attainment of peace and contribute to world peace.
Religion plays a critical role in all aspects of life, one of which is peace. ‘Peace’ refers to both external and internal peace; religion helps adherents achieve peace within themselves and it also helps them strive towards …show more content…
Jewish organisations such as the Jewish Peace Fellowship and the Jewish Voice for Peace try to achieve peace through pacifist principles of non-violence. The Jewish Peace Fellowship is a pacifist group that uses elements in traditional and contemporary Judaism that stress love and brotherhood so support their cause of non-violence. They lend support to Conscientious Objectors in Israel who face continual isolation (Stillman, n.d.). They support pacifism and confronting evil in a non-violent way because the Torah tells them that “they [Israel] will be redeemed only through peace” (Deuteronomy Rabah 5:15). The Jewish Voice for Peace is also an organisation that supports non-violent means of achieving peace. They hope to help achieve peace in the Middle East through justice and full equality for both Palestinians and Israelis. Their recent campaigns have involved petitioning major financial company TIAA-CREF to divest from companies making a profit from the Israeli occupation of Gaza and supporting the boycott of a new theatre in the Ariel settlement (occupied area) by Israeli artists and performers (Jewish Voice for Peace, n.d.). Their goals and actions reflect the teaching of the Torah that there is a religious obligation to pursue peace, both internally and externally – “Seek peace, and pursue it – seek it in your own place, and pursue it even to another place as well.” (Leviticus Rabah