Religious perspectives on the nuclear weapons debate: excerpts from the bishops' pastoral letter on war and peace, proposed third draft

Journal Article · · Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States)

OSTI ID:5562182

The text of the third draft, issued in April 1983 and approved by the bishops on 3 May 1983, focuses on the morality of the use of nuclear weapons in a first strike, the threat to use them, and their use as a deterrent to war, but it also includes discussions of the just war theory, nonviolence, and peacemaking. Viewed in the context of the traditional modes of accommodation between religion and the state, and in the light of contemporary disharmony between more fundamentalist sects and modern science, the document affords an interesting point for discussion of the moral bases of the uses of technology. More than simply a dogmatic statement of one religious organization, the pastoral letter represents a vigorous new current in moral discretion and responsibility. 114 references.

• OSTI ID: 5562182
• Journal Information: Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States), Journal Name: Sci., Technol., Hum. Values; (United States) Vol. 8:44; ISSN STHVD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ETHICS
FOREIGN POLICY
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NATIONAL SECURITY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SECURITY
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
WARFARE
WEAPONS