ReviseRush logoREVISERUSH

AQA GCSE Religious Studies

Religion, peace and conflict — AQA GCSE Religious Studies revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 7 minutes to read.

Violence, protest and terrorism

  • Violence is the use of physical force to harm people or property; most religions teach that peace is the ideal state, though views differ on when force may be justified.
  • Violent protest involves using force to bring about political or social change; many religious teachings caution against it but some believers argue limited violence can be justified against extreme injustice.
  • Terrorism is the use of violence and fear against civilians for political, religious or ideological aims; almost all religious traditions condemn terrorism as it targets innocent people.
  • Religious teachings generally distinguish between legitimate self-defence and unjustifiable violence against innocents.

Just War and holy war

  • Just War theory, developed in Christian thought, sets conditions for a war to be morally justified, such as a just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionate force and a reasonable chance of success.
  • Reasons some believe justify war include self-defence, protecting the innocent, retaliation against aggression and preventing greater harm, though retaliation and greed are usually condemned as unjust causes.
  • Holy war is fighting authorised by God or religious authority for a religious cause, historically linked to concepts like the Crusades in Christianity.
  • Jihad in Islam has two meanings: the 'greater jihad', an inner spiritual struggle to live righteously, and the 'lesser jihad', a struggle that may include defensive armed conflict under strict conditions.

Key terms

Violence
The use of physical force to hurt people or damage property.
Terrorism
Use of violence and fear against civilians for political or ideological aims.
Just War theory
A set of conditions used to judge whether a war is morally justified.
Holy war
Warfare believed to be sanctioned or commanded by God.
Jihad
Islamic term meaning 'struggle', including inner spiritual struggle and, in limited cases, armed struggle.
Pacifism
The belief that violence and war are never justified.

Common exam traps

  • Confusing holy war with Just War theory — holy war is about religious sanction, not moral conditions.
  • Assuming jihad only means physical warfare — the greater jihad is an inner spiritual struggle.
  • Thinking all religious believers are pacifists — most accept conditional justification for war.

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. What is Just War theory?

    • • Conditions for a war to be morally justified
    • • A ban on all warfare
    • • A religious command to fight
    • • A treaty ending World War Two

    Answer: Conditions for a war to be morally justified

    Just War theory sets out criteria such as just cause and proportionality.

  2. 2. What is the 'greater jihad' in Islam?

    • • The inner spiritual struggle to live righteously
    • • Armed conflict against enemies
    • • A form of terrorism
    • • A type of holy pilgrimage

    Answer: The inner spiritual struggle to live righteously

    The greater jihad refers to struggling against one's own sin and temptation.

  3. 3. Define pacifism.

    Answer: The belief that violence and war are never justified and conflict should be resolved peacefully.

    Pacifists reject violence even in self-defence in most cases.

  4. 4. Which of these groups is known for strong pacifist beliefs?

    • • Quakers
    • • Crusaders
    • • Zealots
    • • Mercenaries

    Answer: Quakers

    Quakers are historically committed to non-violence and peace testimony.

  5. 5. Give one condition of Just War theory.

    Answer: The war must be a last resort after all peaceful options have failed.

    Other conditions include just cause, right intention and proportionality.

Keep going in the app

This topic has 49 questions in total, plus flashcards, cram mode and Grade 9 Push challenges.

Open the full topic Quick-fire quiz

More free Religious Studies revision

ReviseRush is an independent educational revision aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Pearson or any exam board. All notes and questions are original. Always check content against your official course and specification. No grade outcome is guaranteed.