Just War Theory Essay examples

Words: 2510
Pages: 11
Open Document
Evan Uesato
November 4 2009
Rel204

Violence in the Name of Religion
(Just War)

Christianity preaches peace and loving your neighbor but for the history of christianity, there has been violence and war in its name. For Many years people have been killing other human beings in the name of christ or justifying their killings by saying that the war is in the name of god. The belief that violence and war can be justified is called the “Just War Theory.” Just war is a war that is justified because it is necessary for peace to happen. Just war theory has its origins in the catholic church. In order for a war to be considered just it must meet certain criteria. For a war to be just it must: have a just cause, have a valid …show more content…
There were tries for peace before the United States took action but the Iraqi government ignored all the UN sanctions. The Military actions taken by the U.S. were considered to be the last resort.[16] There have been arguments presented on whether the War in Iraq is just or whether it is not.[17] Catholic theorist Michael Novak argues that the war in Iraq is a just war. Because there have been attempts to help civilians or to avoid hurting them as much as possible.[18] His points are: that the U.S. has put relief organizations into place, they have delivered humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq, they have protected Iraq’s infrastructure, precision bombs avoid civilian casualties, and the U.S. protects civilians in time of combat.[19] Arguments that have been made for the War in Iraq to meet the criteria have been made by others as well. Iraq began militarizing and became a danger to the U.S., the attacks of September eleventh were believed to have ties to the Iraqi government and taken as acts of war. Iraq also violated the rights of the U.S. with the attacks of September eleventh. President Bush is a valid authority to engage in a war because he was elected by popular vote and not by a private organization. The U.S. had the right intentions because they were using force to right wrongs that have been done to them as a nation.[20] The probability of success for the U.S. was high because they are much more
Show More

Related Documents: Just War Theory Essay examples

The Just War Theory

Iraq does not satisfy the six crucial requirements of the just war theory. More specifically, this paper contends (although subjectively) that the invasion does not meet the conditions of the cause being just, the right intention in embarking upon war, or war being undertaken only as a last resort. Yet, despite such reasoning, the mainstream news media from the invading countries represented the decision to invade as ‘just’. It is purported that such perpetuations occurred as a result of a relationship…

Words 275 - Pages 2

Just War Theory

The use of force in war is acceptable only when the benefits outway the potential suffering and damage of the force. This is governed by the fact that war without a beneficial result is simply unnecessary violence. The just war theory contains standards for causing war (jus ad bellum), and appropriate conduct during a war (jus in bello). Jus ad bellum includes standards that should be met before starting a war to ensure morality. This includes the fact that the war must be fought to bring about peace…

Words 719 - Pages 3

Just War Theory

The just war theory is a christian philosophy that was created to prevent warfare between nations by setting certain rules and conditions on when a war should be fought and how it should be fought . The most important part of the just war theory is that war should be avoided and should only be used as a last resort because taking human life is wrong, however, sometimes it is necessary to use war to protect innocent people and morals (Just War - Introduction). The American Revolutionary war should…

Words 1316 - Pages 6

Just War Theory Analysis

Purpose of Just War The purpose of the Just War Theory is to establish a guide to the correct way for countries to act in situations of potential conflicts. Just War only applies to the states but not people even though the individuals can always use the theory of Just War in deciding whether it is right to take part in a particular war. Just War offers individuals and political groups with a useful framework to use in their discussions for possibilities of wars. The aim of the Just War theory is not…

Words 1101 - Pages 5

Just War Theory Essay

Civil War was brutal and hard fought. Two conflicting beliefs clashed and almost resulted in the separation of a young nation just getting its foothold in the world. The war resulted in an estimated 620,000 casualties for both sides. Each side, the Union and the Confederacy, proved determined and stood by their ideals no matter how misguided they seemed to be. Though people today might think the war was justified, does it fit “Just War” Theory? This will take a look at the Just War Theory and whether…

Words 1102 - Pages 5

Michael Walzer's Just War Theory

Michael Walzer, theory from Augustine to Aquinas to modern times. “Just War” has been used to justify and sometimes rationalize wars throughout history, by invoking its test of morality. Today, “Just War” theory is useful to scrutinize and critique wars in our time. Walzer states the reason for having a theory of “Just War” in a way that is hard to argue with is one, the moral reality of war is not fixed by the actual activities of the soldiers but by the opinions of humankind. Second, the truth…

Words 1464 - Pages 6

The US Invasion Of Iraq And Just War Theory

Iraq and Just War Theory Harris Sheikh Hum 102 Prof. Burke February 13, 2014 A corrupt nation can only win so many times before the lies begins to unravel and questions begins to rise. There haves been many incident throughout the history where the actions takenook by the government could be ruled unjust, yet people always tend to be blinded by the reality that stands in front of them. A war may have many reasons behind it, but for it to be considered just, but it…

Words 2196 - Pages 9

Just War Theory In St. Augustine's The City Of God

The basic principles of the “Just War Theory” start with the command leadership allowing for consideration the opinions of those officers below them. It has been proven that, “individuals and organizations invariably perform much more proficiently if they know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and most importantly believe in the mission to which they are assigned.”1 This is why the manner in which the leadership presents itself to the subordinates is so important and also why motivational…

Words 374 - Pages 2

Just war Essay example

Just War Theory One of the obvious realities of human existence is war. From the earliest recorded events of human history, through to modern times, human communities have engaged in armed conflict as a method of dispute resolution. Although war has been a constant part of the human experience, there has also been a tendency within virtually all human civilizations to limit the extent of war and the methods by which warfare may be conducted. The Just War Theory is the comparatively more fruitful…

Words 846 - Pages 4

Ethics Just War Essay

Ethics – Just War a.) Explain how the followers of the religion you have studied justify going to war The issue of war, and how we relate to it, has been prominent in human civilisation all throughout history. The last century has seen the world through two worlds wars, plus plenty of smaller-scale ones too, that lead Robin Gill to say that “War has presented the 20th Century with perhaps its most crucial moral problem.” Even recently, there have civil wars, religious wars, those for economic resources…

Words 1861 - Pages 8