Semchynskyy K. Ontology of religious and philosophical concepts of war and peace in Christianity and Islam.

Dissertation studies important issues of war and peace in Christianity and Islam. Research is based on a wide range of bibliographical sources. Christian concept of war exists in dichotomy of just and unjust wars. Comparative analysis of Christian and Islamic concepts of war and peace shows some similarities as well as some differences. Christian formulations of just war had influenced modern international law but Islamic tradition generally does not contain issues, which would contradict it. Main differences in traditions lie in the treatment of prisoners of war and attitude to pacifism. Pacifism is not completely approved but accepted by Christianity after Vatican II under certain stipulations (such as alternative service) while it is not acceptable in Islam though Islam does not have conscription. The study concludes that ontology of religious and philosophical concepts of war and peace in Islam and Christianity is a result of their long-term evolution. Both religions value peace but history shows that both waged bloody wars. At the same time textual analysis of religious doctrines confirms that none of religions calls to war. Interpretations of Koran by some modern fundamentalists’ ideologists contradict Islamic tradition.