Christians, Muslims and ... War
- M &C Perspectives
- Jul 19, 2019
- 2 min read
A 'Hikmah' study guide produced by The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies to help Muslims and Christians develop an understanding of complex and potentially controversial issues which Muslims and Christian encounter together.
Introduction
War is sadly a constant, tragic fact in our world. Talk of a war to end all wars has always proven hollow and war only breeds more war. Today war is covered in more detail than ever before by the world’s media and horrifying images of death and destruction are regularly broadcast into our living rooms until we become disturbingly immune to the pain and suffering that war causes. Of particular concern in recent years has been the renewed growth of religious causes for such war and violence. Jihād especially has become a common word in our vocabulary and there has been much debate over the justice of recent wars conducted by western nations in response to terrorism.
Different categories and approaches to war can be identified ranging from pacifism to total war. But what does religion have to say about war? And in particular what do the Christian and Muslim faith traditions have to say about it? Christians have historically responded in a range of ways and been involved in pacifism, crusades (or holy war) and just war. Muslims have thought in terms of jihād both offensive (or expansionist) and defensive. In both religions the texts have a lot to say about war and violence, and both communities have a mixed history. Muslims today still claim to feel aggrieved by the Crusades and later western colonialism, both of which were supported by some Christians and opposed by others. Christians point to the early military expansion of Islamic rule across the birthplace of Christianity and, in Europe, the later threat of Ottoman invasion halted only at the gates of Vienna.
This Hikmah Guide presents a brief overview of the history, terminology and issues involved and points towards further reading and resources that will help you to go deeper. As with all Hikmah guides CMCS does not necessarily condone or support the views quoted or references cited. Rather the guide is intended to give the reader an appreciation of the range of approaches within both the Christian and Muslim communities.
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