You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
Peace is a central value in both Christianity and Islam. Both religions teach that God desires peace and that believers have a duty to work for peace in the world. This lesson explores religious teachings on peace and examples of peacemaking in practice.
Peace can mean:
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Absence of conflict | No war, violence, or hostility |
| Inner peace | A sense of calm, contentment, and spiritual well-being |
| Social peace | Harmony, justice, and fairness in society |
| Positive peace | Not just the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, equality, and respect |
| Teaching | Source |
|---|---|
| "Blessed are the peacemakers" | Matthew 5:9 (Beatitudes) |
| "Love your enemies" | Matthew 5:44 |
| "If it is possible, live at peace with everyone" | Romans 12:18 |
| "Turn the other cheek" | Matthew 5:39 |
| "Put your sword back in its place" | Matthew 26:52 |
| Example | Detail |
|---|---|
| Corrymeela Community | A Christian community in Northern Ireland that works for peace and reconciliation between Protestant and Catholic communities |
| Archbishop Desmond Tutu | Led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, promoting forgiveness after apartheid |
| The Quakers | A Christian denomination committed to pacifism — they oppose all war and violence |
| Pax Christi | An international Catholic peace movement that campaigns against war and nuclear weapons |
The word "Islam" comes from the Arabic root "salaam" meaning peace. The standard Muslim greeting is "As-Salamu Alaykum" — "Peace be upon you."
"O you who have believed, enter into peace completely." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:208)
| Teaching | Source |
|---|---|
| "Enter into peace completely" | Surah Al-Baqarah 2:208 |
| "If they incline to peace, then incline to it" | Surah Al-Anfal 8:61 |
| "Reconciliation is best" | Surah An-Nisa 4:128 |
| Greeting of peace (As-Salamu Alaykum) | Hadith and daily practice |
| Example | Detail |
|---|---|
| The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah | The Prophet Muhammad negotiated a peace treaty with the Quraysh, choosing diplomacy over conflict |
| Islamic Relief | A Muslim charity that provides humanitarian aid and works for peace and reconciliation worldwide |
| Interfaith dialogue | Muslim organisations engage in dialogue with other faiths to promote understanding and peace |
| Aspect | Christianity | Islam |
|---|---|---|
| God and peace | Jesus is the Prince of Peace | Allah is As-Salam (The Source of Peace) |
| Core teaching | "Blessed are the peacemakers" | "Enter into peace completely" |
| Greeting | "Peace be with you" (liturgical) | "As-Salamu Alaykum" (daily greeting) |
| Peacemaking | Active duty for all Christians | Active duty for all Muslims |
| War | Some justify war (Just War); others are pacifists | War is permitted in self-defence but peace is always preferred |
graph TD
A["Victims of war<br/>(refugees, wounded,<br/>bereaved)"] --> B["Religious response"]
B --> C["Practical aid"]
B --> D["Reconciliation"]
B --> E["Prayer & witness"]
C --> C1["CAFOD, Tearfund,<br/>Christian Aid"]
C --> C2["Islamic Relief,<br/>Muslim Hands"]
D --> D1["Corrymeela<br/>(Northern Ireland)"]
D --> D2["Truth & Reconciliation<br/>Commission (Tutu)"]
D --> D3["Treaty of Hudaybiyyah<br/>model (Surah 8:61)"]
E --> E1["Matthew 5:9: blessed<br/>are the peacemakers"]
E --> E2["Pax Christi,<br/>interfaith dialogue"]
| Obstacle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Injustice | Peace is impossible without justice — oppression breeds conflict |
| Greed | Competition for resources, land, and power causes conflict |
| Prejudice | Hatred based on race, religion, or nationality fuels violence |
| Revenge | The cycle of retaliation perpetuates conflict |
| Power | Those in power may benefit from conflict and resist peace |
Exam Tip: Be prepared to discuss practical examples of religious peacemaking. Examiners reward answers that go beyond theory and show knowledge of real-world examples.
Both Christianity and Islam place peace at the centre of their teachings. Jesus taught his followers to be peacemakers and to love their enemies; Islam derives its very name from the word for peace. Religious believers and organisations worldwide work tirelessly for peace and reconciliation, though achieving lasting peace remains one of humanity's greatest challenges.
Consider this real peacemaking case. For three decades (1968-1998), Northern Ireland suffered "The Troubles" — sectarian conflict between Protestant Unionists (who wanted to remain in the UK) and Catholic Nationalists (who wanted a united Ireland). More than 3,500 people died, many in bombings and shootings. A Catholic priest, a Presbyterian minister and a Muslim peace activist from London reflect on the role religion played — both in fuelling and resolving the conflict.
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.