How do Christianity and Islam, through their teachings and organisations, contribute to world peace?
Analyse the contribution of Christianity and Islam to world peace, demonstrating how the teachings and the work of religious organisations guide adherents in achieving world peace
A focused answer to the world peace dot point of the Religion and Peace study in Studies of Religion II. Covers how the teachings of Christianity and Islam and the work of religious organisations contribute to peace and justice in the world.
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What this dot point is asking
NESA wants you to analyse the contribution of two traditions (here Christianity and Islam) to world peace, showing how their teachings and the work of their organisations guide adherents toward peace in society and among nations. This is a Studies of Religion II topic (not in Studies of Religion I). The focus here is specifically world peace, as distinct from inner peace. Analyse means weighing the contribution, including both the constructive role and honest limitations, and grounding teachings in sacred texts.
The answer
What world peace means
World peace is peace in society and among nations: the end of conflict and the presence of justice, reconciliation and right relationships between peoples. Both traditions teach that world peace is not merely the absence of war but the establishment of justice, and that it flows from individuals at peace with God working for the good of others.
Christian teaching and contribution to world peace
Christian teaching grounds peacemaking in scripture.
- The Beatitudes bless the peacemakers (the Gospel of Matthew).
- Teachings on love of enemies and reconciliation call adherents away from retaliation.
- The prophets and the call to justice link peace with care for the vulnerable.
Christian organisations translate this into action: agencies working for reconciliation, refugee support, the relief of poverty and advocacy for justice, and church leaders calling for an end to conflict. Many denominations issue statements and run programs promoting peace, disarmament and human dignity.
Islamic teaching and contribution to world peace
Islamic teaching grounds peace in justice and submission to God.
- The Qur'an presents peace as the goal and links it to justice and care for the vulnerable.
- Zakat (obligatory almsgiving) and charity address the inequality that breeds conflict.
- The example of the Prophet Muhammad models reconciliation and the protection of the vulnerable.
Muslim organisations work for relief, development, justice and interfaith understanding, applying these teachings to the conditions of peace in the world.
Analysing the contribution
A balanced analysis weighs both sides. On the constructive side, the teachings and organisations of both traditions have advanced reconciliation, relief of suffering, advocacy for justice and interfaith cooperation, and have inspired adherents toward peacemaking. Honestly, religious difference has at times been used to justify conflict, and adherents do not always live up to the teachings. The net contribution is best judged through the concrete peace-building work of organisations and individuals, which shows religion as a significant force for world peace when its teachings on justice and reconciliation are put into practice.
From teaching to organisation to outcome
The discriminator in a world peace answer is the chain from sacred text to teaching to organised action. The dot point asks specifically about the work of religious organisations, so a strong response does not just name agencies but shows the line from belief to outcome. For Christianity, the teaching that "blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) and the prophetic call to justice are enacted by organisations such as Pax Christi (advocating non-violence and disarmament) and aid agencies working for refugees and the relief of poverty, addressing the injustice that breeds conflict. For Islam, the Qur'anic link between peace and justice and the obligation of zakat (almsgiving) are enacted by bodies such as Islamic Relief and Muslim Aid, which relieve suffering and build communities. The key analytical move is to argue that world peace in both traditions requires justice, not merely the absence of war, so peace-building work is the practical expression of the teaching. A top-band analysis also keeps the judgement honest, acknowledging that religion has at times fuelled conflict, and weighs the net contribution through concrete results. Remember this is a Studies of Religion II topic only.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of NESA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
HSC 202220 marksIt is inner stillness that will save and transform the world. (Eckhart Tolle) With reference to the stimulus, analyse how TWO religious traditions encourage adherents to seek peace in order to transform the world.Show worked answer →
A 20-mark response. The stimulus links inner peace to transforming the world, so connect inner peace to world peace across TWO traditions (Christianity and Islam).
Christianity.
- Teaching: peace begins with the individual reconciled to God ("Peace I leave with you", John 14:27), then flows outward ("Blessed are the peacemakers", Matthew 5:9).
- Action for the world: organisations such as Pax Christi and church advocacy work for justice, non-violence and reconciliation in conflicts.
Islam.
- Teaching: peace (salam) flows from submission to Allah; the greater jihad is the inner struggle that then shapes just action, and "in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest" (Qur'an 13:28).
- Action for the world: organisations such as Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief work for justice and relief, transforming communities.
Analyse the link in the stimulus: in both traditions, inner stillness or peace with God is the foundation that empowers adherents to work for a transformed, more peaceful world. Sustain this judgement and use both traditions in depth for the top band.
HSC 20245 marksExplain how the work of religious organisations in ONE tradition contributes to world peace.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark response should explain, with examples, how organisations turn teaching into peace-building action.
Using Christianity: ground the work in teaching (the Beatitudes blessing the peacemakers, Matthew 5:9, and the call to justice). Then explain the organisations: agencies working for reconciliation, refugee support and the relief of poverty, and bodies such as Pax Christi advocating non-violence and disarmament.
For full marks, link each example back to a teaching and show how it addresses the conditions of peace (justice, relief of suffering, reconciliation), rather than just naming organisations. The same structure works for Islam (Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, zakat and the Qur'anic link between peace and justice).