Explain How the Main Principles of the Religion You Have Studied Would Offer Guidance Concerning the Issue of Pacifism.

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Christianity is often divided on certain issues of concern. Different denominations have different views on different issues and are often the reason they were created in the first place. The issue of violence is no different. A pacifist is a person that carries the belief that violence should never be used in any circumstances. Christianity as a whole tend to support this viewpoint, however it is argued to what extent it should be followed. Are there certain circumstances that call for violence (and only violence)? In the following, I will explain how the main principles of Christianity would be used in the circumstances of violence and how different Christian denominations would apply it to their beliefs. One of the the Apostles’ Creed states ‘I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth’, in other words, that God is the creator and thus, we must respect this and do it’s will. Doing otherwise would be thought of as playing God, an act that is considered a sin in Christianity as it is considered to belittle God omnipotence. Pope John Paul II is an example of a religious leader who strictly follows this rule. When targeting mafia violence in Southern Italy, Pope John Paul II stated "I say to those responsible: Convert! One day, the judgment of God will arrive!" and in a trip to Poland in August 2002 he likened another issue, abortion, to murder, an act of violence; he stated “Frequently, man lives as if God did not exist and even puts himself in God’s place… Rejecting divine law and moral principles, he openly attacks the family.” Ultimately, it is believed God is the only one responsible for life and death which is implied by his omnipotence and the fact that he is the creator. Conscience is another principle of Christian religion. Conscience is defined to be our ‘moral guide’, the instinct that tells us right from wrong, our reasoning. It

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