Explain two religious beliefs that encourage people to help victims of war.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. [6 marks]

Christianity

Some Christians help victims of war because they believe that their salvation depends on it.

They point to the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, where Jesus says ‘anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me’ (Matthew 25. 40).

They argue that faith is not simply a matter of belief, it is about living the Jesus teachings, and those who fail to do so will not have a place in the Kingdom of God.

Islam

Some Muslims help victims of war to show their submission to Allah (swt).

In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) commands ‘be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours’ (4. 36).

By helping victims of war, Muslims are showing that they revere Allah (swt) and submit their will to Allah’s commands.

Buddhism

Some Buddhists help victims of war in order to progress towards enlightenment.

The Buddha teaches ‘Should a person do good, let him do it again and again. [...] blissful is the accumulation of good’ (Dhammapada 118).

They believe that by helping victims of war they are building up the skilful karma they need to become enlightened.