The Just War in Certain Religious Traditions: Christianity; Judaism; Islam; and Buddhism

This document also available in PDF Image . This report summarizes significant elements of the Just War tradition, distinguished from the Holy War, in four major religions: Christianity, Catholic and Protestant; Judaism; Islam; and Buddhism. The development of criteria to determine whether a war is just in its cause and to set limits for the waging of such a war is traced from its roots in classical Greek and Roman thought to its fuller elaboration through over 1,000 years of Christian history from St. Augustine to the 17th century. The shaping of Just War tradition in the context of moral theology and philosophy alike is noted, as well as the gradual secularization of Just War theory in modern times.






















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