On the ethics of war the Quran and the New Testament are…
““On the ethics of war the Quran and the New Testament are worlds apart. Whereas Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, the Quran tells us, 'Whoso commits aggression against you, do you commit aggression against him' (2:194). The New Testament says nothing about how to wage war. The Quran, by contrast, is filled with just-war precepts. Here war is allowed in self-defense (2:190; 22:39), but hell is the punishment for killing other Muslims (4:93), and the execution of prisoners of war is explicitly condemned (47:4). Whether in the abstract is is better to rely on a scripture that regulates war or a scripture that hopes war away is an open question, but no Muslim-majority country has yet dropped an atomic bomb in war.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote contrasts how the Quran and the New Testament address war, noting the Quran’s detailed just‑war rules versus the New Testament’s pacifist tone, and questions which approach better guides societies.
In simple terms: Quran gives war rules; New Testament urges peace.
Key Takeaway
Consider how religious teachings shape war ethics.
Themes
religion
ethics
war
peace
law
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
comparative
theoretical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- interfaith dialogue
- military ethics
- education curricula
Key Concepts
just‑war theory
pacifism
scriptural interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do religious doctrines influence modern conflict policies?
- Can peace be achieved without explicit war rules?
A Different Perspective
Religious texts may be interpreted differently across cultures, limiting universal conclusions.