HSC Studies of Religion 2 Life Skills Year 2016 Mark 95.00 Pages 22 Published May 25, 2017 Religion and Peace Notes - 2 unit religion - CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM By Sophie (99.4 ATAR)
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Your notes author, Sophie. Sophie achieved an ATAR of 99.4 in 2016 while attending Loreto Kirribilli Currently studying Law/Economics at The University of Sydney Achievements: HSC Honour Roll State Ranking- Mathematics General II Ranked in the top 5 for each subject for internal marks Sophie says: I achieved an ATAR of 99.4 having studied French Continuers, French Extension, English Advanced, Legal Studies, Studies of Religion II and Mathematics General II. I have comprehensive notes for each subject, summaries as well as essay booklets for English, Religion, etc.
CHRISTIANITY & PEACE For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans (14:17) - Peace is two-fold- living in unity with God and with others/expressing inner peace will bring about world peace - Christian teachings of peace based on the bible and the message + mission of Jesusincludes forgiveness and a new life of love and peace PEACE IN SACRED TEXTS - Sacred texts guide individual as to how to achieve inner peace - NT= normative text for all Christians, source of understanding of the message and mission of Jesus, which is to bring peace to the world - NT extols peace as a virtue and identifies it as a key element of the reign of God GOSPELS, LETTERS AND PEACE Peace is a pervasive theme in the letters and gospels The principal teachings about peace begin with the teachings and life of Jesus written in the gospels and reaffirmed by the writers of the letters Gospel of Matthew - Describes J s instructions to disciples to be at peace w each other (Mark 9:50) - Apostles sent on a mission to bring peace to those who would listen to Jesus' message, 'and if the house deserves it, may your peace come upon it; and if it does not, may your peace come back to you' (Mt 10:12-13) Letters - Instructed early Christians to apply principles of peace to their lives and communities + reminded them that we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) - Many of the letters begin with words of blessing for grace and peace and conclude with prayers for peace E.g. To end then, brothers, we wish you joy; try to grow perfect; encourage one another; have a common mind and live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11) - When P s letters were written there was conflict between Christians and pagans Paul emphasised that all converts must be at peace with everyone E.g. As much as is possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18) and 'Seek peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14-15) CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES OF PEACE FROM SACRED TEXTS God desires peace for all - Jesus came to proclaim the good news of peace and to announce the reign of God in the lives of people as the means by which he will restore peace - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you (John 14:27-31) Jesus will bring us peace - First 2 chapters of Luke s Gospels- angels proclaimed to shepherd that Jesus was the one sent to bring peace (Luke 2:14) - Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesised that Jesus would come 'to guide our feet into the way of peace' (Luke 1:79) - Paul explained that C s death has united all people: For he (Jesus) is the peace between us, and has made the two into one entity and broken down the barrier which used to
ISLAM AND PEACE GENERAL - The Islamic quest for peace has ever been part and parcel of the Muslim life and faith - At the heart of Islam is the imperative to create a godly community, a people at peace - - with God and one another 4 th world congress of religions for peace, the general security of the Islamic world congress stated: Islam stands for peace: peace for all, peace without discrimination, peace on the basis of justice. Islam believes in human dignity Islam teaches us coexistence so the meaning of Islam is peace I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace. (Muhammad Ali) MISCONCEPTION - The word 'Islam' means 'peace.' The word 'Muslim' means 'one who surrenders to God.' But the press makes us seem like haters. (Muhammad Ali) - Many see Islam today only through the lens of terroristic acts committed by a small minority of Muslims - Our enemy is not Islam. Our real enemy is extremism and radicalism. (Feisal Abdul Rauf) - There are certainly passages in the Islamic sacred texts that endorse warfare- notably the sword verse, which instructs Muslims to fight and slay the pagans, however it is also certain that many verses endorse peace and non-violence - There is equally evidence in other major religions of the sacred texts/theories that endorse violence Christianity s just war theory, for instance FUNDAMENTAL/HISTORICAL - The word Islam means surrender and is related to the Arabic salam, or peace - Muslims taught to greet each other by saying As-Salamu-Alaykum - means peace by upon you daily prayers end with the same sentence - The Qur an refers to Islam as the paths of peace (5:16) and describes reconciliation as the basic stance (4:128) and states that Allah abhors disturbance of the peace (2:205) - A major objective of Mohammad s mission was devoted to bringing an end to the kind of mass slaughter that saturated pre-islamic Arabia, to bring peace and mercy to mankind (Q 21:107) - Muhammad quoted in one of his last public sermons that God tells all humans: We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another à promotion of harmony rather than conflict - Indeed, Muhammad regarded Christians and Jews as people of the book, distinguishing them from unbelievers and considering them political allies as their faith had a core basis of monotheism To each is a goal to which God turns him; then strive together towards all that is good SOURCES Islamic understanding of peace is informed by its sacred texts that have an underlying emphasis on peace as a fundamental value Qur an - The first verse of the Qur an contains the theme of peace in the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate This verse is repeated 114 times Manifests the importance Islam attaches to values of mercy/compassion - All ye who believe! Enter fully into peace. (Q 2:208) - Keep to forgiveness, enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant (Q 7:199) - What army can save you except the Compassionate? (Q 40:20)
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) RELIGION AND PEACE SUMMARY Islam and peace summary General - At the heart of Islam is the imperative to create peace w God, others & the world - I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace. (Muhammad Ali) Misconception - The word 'Islam' means 'peace.' The word 'Muslim' means 'one who surrenders to God.' But the press makes us seem like haters. (Muhammad Ali) - Our enemy is not Islam. Our real enemy is extremism and radicalism. (Feisal Abdul Rauf) - While passages in the Qur an endorse violence, notably the sword verse fight and slay the pagans, many other verses endorse pease and non-violence Fundamental/historical - The word Islam means surrender and is related to the Arabic salam, or peace - Greeting As-Salamu-Alaykum - means peace by upon you - Qur an refers to Islam as the paths of peace (5:16) and describes reconciliation as the basic stance (4:128) and states that Allah abhors disturbance of the peace (2:205) - Mohammad s mission devoted to bringing an end to the kind of mass slaughter that saturated pre-islamic Arabia and to bring peace and mercy to mankind (Q 21:107) We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another à harmony, not conflict Regarded Christians and Jews as people of the book, Sources Qur an - First verse, repeated 114 times à in the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate - What army can save you except the Compassionate? (Q 40:20) - All ye who believe! Enter fully into peace. (Q 2:208) Hadith - If anyone walks with an oppressor to strengthen him, knowing that he is an oppressor, he has gone forth from Islam (Baihaqi) - A strong person is not the person who throws his adversaries to the ground. A strong person is the one who contains himself when he is angry. (Al-Muwatta 47:12) Allah - Giver of peace - Allah invites to the abode of peace and guides whom he pleases into the right path (Qur an 10:25) Muhammad - Hilt of sword à forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does evil to you, and speak the truth although it be against yourself. Principal teachings - Peace is not just an absence of war, but extends to the absence of oppression & tyranny - Justice is a prerequisite to peace