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Define the Christian concept of the ‘Just War’ theory’

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The Christian concept of the "Just War" theory is a moral and ethical framework that seeks to provide guidelines for determining when the use of force in war is morally justifiable. It is rooted in the belief that war should be approached with caution and should only be considered as a last resort.

The principles of the Just War theory can be traced back to early Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. While there may be variations in interpretation, the theory generally consists of two broad categories: jus ad bellum (the right to wage war) and jus in bello (the right conduct within war).

Jus ad bellum encompasses the criteria that must be met for a war to be considered morally justifiable:

Just Cause: The war must be fought for a just and legitimate reason, such as self-defense against aggression, protection of innocent lives, or the defense of basic human rights.

Legitimate Authority: The decision to wage war must be made by a legitimate governing authority, such as a recognized government or international body, and not by individuals or groups acting without proper authority.

Right Intention: The intention behind waging war must be to establish a just and lasting peace, rather than pursuing revenge, conquest, or other unjust motives.

Last Resort: All peaceful means of resolving the conflict must have been exhausted before resorting to war. Diplomatic negotiations and other nonviolent methods should be actively pursued.

Proportionality: The overall good achieved by the war must outweigh the harm caused. The use of force should be proportional to the threat and should not result in excessive or indiscriminate violence.

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