No just war : political reflections on Australian churches' condemnation of the Iraq war
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2006
Authors
Porter, E.J.
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Australian Journal of Politics and History, 2006; 52(3):471-488
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This paper analyses the potentially positive role churches can play in encouraging public debate and moral reasoning on security matters. In particular, it explores Australian churches' vocal condemnation of Australia's involvement in the Iraq war through examining responses of spokespersons from the three largest Christian churches in Australia, namely Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches. It examines three types of reasons given for the condemnation: legal explanations of the lack of a plausible justification for war without UN sanctions; religious and moral reasons that defend peace and reconciliation; and political reasons that a war led by the "Christian West" increases global enmity and the likelihood of terrorism. I situate this analysis within just war theory. I suggest that churches can play an important social role in fostering tolerance, inter-faith dialogue and peace.
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Copyright 2006 Blackwell Synergy