Religion, at times, has been a justification for violent actions like war. This "Holy War" idea can mask the true, often intricate, causes of conflict. It can also lead to gross human rights violations as the divine authority believed to be backing the conflict reduces restraint and dehumanizes the opposition. In response, there's the concept of "Just War," a framework dating back to St. Augustine, aiming to balance ethical standards with violence. But this concept itself raises issues, especially regarding proportionality and its impact on civilian lives. A more peaceful alternative suggested is "Just Peace."

Holy War: is a term used when violent actions are justified using religious language. Here's how it works:

• 🌈 Religious righteousness – Wars are justified as good fighting evil, which makes the situation seem black-and-white and divinely ordained.
• 🧩 Obscuring complex causes – The actual reasons behind conflicts, such as access to resources, identity disputes, and diplomatic failures, are often hidden beneath religious justifications.
• 😈 Dehumanizing the enemy – When the enemy is portrayed as evil, it reduces fighters' restraint and can lead to serious human rights violations.

Real-world example: The Crusades in the Middle Ages were often framed as Holy Wars, with the Christian forces believing they were fighting a divine cause against the "evil" Muslim empires.

Just War, on the other hand, is a concept that comes from St. Augustine. It attempts to merge Christian ethical ideals with the realities of conflict. The five key criteria for a just war are:

• 🎯 Just cause - Is the reason for going to war justified?
• 👑 Proper authority - Is the war sanctioned by the right authority?
• 🚧 Last resort - Have all other non-violent options been exhausted?
• 🎲 Reasonable chance of success - Is there a realistic expectation that the war can be won?
• ⚖️ Proportionality - Is the violence used proportional to the outcome desired?

Real-world example: World War II could be seen as a 'just war' - the war was fought against Nazi Germany due to their aggressive and expansive policies, their violation of international agreements, and human rights abuses.