Relationship between Terrorism and Religion - Essay Example

Relationship between Terrorism and Religion In our normal world, the situation has been that peace cannot stand without justice, but in the religious world the state of affairs is that justice cannot stand without truth. According to Nacos (26), these two views, if analyzed critically, tend to show the relationship between terrorism and religion. Principally, this ideologically has driven our world since the twentieth century, and it is now making way to the twenty-first century. Also, now it appears to have settled in people in a more ‘religious accommodating’ manner. The final years of the twentieth century, in fact, already underwent an exceptional resurgence of historical religions in numerous parts of the globe, comprising the former USSR, Eastern/Central Europe, as well as China. It is not restricted to only the rebirth of historical religions or faiths, but also extended to the surfacing of neo-religious groups such as the New Age spirituality, as well as the surge of faithfully based experiences and practices ranging from medicine to meditation. These movements have made their way into societies and communities all through the globe where definite levels of freedom for spiritual and religious groups are present. Religious values and views play a significant role in the lives of individuals as they cope with issues affecting their communities. Religions educate people concerning ultimate views on believers’ lives. They also offer a core vision for people’s lives, which habitually shades its followers’ socio-political hopes, behaviors and engagements. Therefore, the significance of religion to terrorism cannot be overlooked. This paper will focus on the relationship between terrorism and religion based on what these three authors say in their writings: Brigitte Nacos, Martha Crenshaw and Richard Connerney. These articles are “The Making of Terrorists: Causes, Conditions, Influences;” “The Logic of Terrorism;” and “Islam” respectively. Brigitte Nacos: The Making of Terrorists: Causes, Conditions, Influences Centering on the occurrences of terrorism and terrorist attacks in the post-Cold War era, as well as the post-9/11 period, Nacos’ article dwells on this type of political turmoil in both an American and international context. The author also touches on the new-fangled and past/historical trends of terrorism. Extensively discussing the subject “What is terrorism?,” the author, a celebrated expert in this field, visibly discusses and explains terrorism’s numerous causes, strategies and actors, as well as counter- and anti-terrorist responses. This article, in addition, outstandingly examines terrorism’s relationship with religion, the public and the media. Highly readable and also comprehensive, “The Making of Terrorists: Causes, Conditions, Influences” introduces the readers to significant concepts and theories in the study of terrorism with its relation to religion and political turmoil. It also helps them challenge presumptions of this vital, as well as complex issue. Any macro level matter, according to Nacos (61), cannot be tackled without being receptive to realities of religion experienced by humans. Whether the hope of humanity will be formed by the ‘clash of ignorance,’ the ‘clash of societies,’ the clash of religions/faiths and traditions, or conflicts between the ‘West and the rest’ is difficult to predict. It might be an amalgamation of a number of the above because they are all intricately related (Nacos 61). Also, it might be caused by the surfacing of previously unclear issues or problems of polarization. Nacos gives the instance of the 9/11 attacks where Muslim terrorists from the Middle East decided to attack the famous American Twin Towers. In the past, there has always been a religious conflict between the people of the Middle East and the Americans. This was the main reason that according to Nacos (62) led to the bombing of the American Twin Towers. Therefore, Nacos concluded in her article that a majority of the terrorist attacks arise due to religious conflict between the attackers and the victims of the act. Martha Crenshaw: The Logic of Terrorism The aim of Martha Crenshaw’s article, “The Logic of Terrorism,” is to explore the psychological foundations of terrorist activities, as well as their behaviors. The author concurs that psychology is indeed a significant factor when it comes to examining the causes of terrorism. Not only does the author discuss the psychology behind terrorist attacks, but also the political motives behind the attacks (Crenshaw 3). The author states (4) that terrorism normally has a religious ground, and this is seen in mostly the Arabic world. It endeavors to demonstrate that terrorism might follow logical procedures, which can be discovered and elucidated. For the aim of showcasing this source of terrorist activities, instead of the psychological one, it deduces the sort of terrorist attacks and violence as a willful decision. In their strong pledge, isolation from the outside world and prejudice of internal dispute, terrorist groups are similar to religious cults or sects. Martha Crenshaw (55) has elucidated the unending commitment of members of terrorist groups, a conviction normally articulated in proselytizing so as to validate beliefs, in line with the reassurance and reinforcement of rightness, which the individual gets from other associates of the group. She also argues that the normal practice of initiation rites, which take in "bridge-burning acts," or defiance of taboos, that form guilt and avert the convert's return to civilization. Thus, religion, just like the terrorist movements, creates a community of universal guilt (Crenshaw 55). If there is one emotional feeling, which drives or persuades an individual to become a terrorist, it is settling of course on behalf of allies or even the population the terrorist hopes to represent. At the same moment, the demand for vengeance caters as an excuse or public justification. A country or religion, hence, encourages terrorist activities when it forms martyrs to be attacked (Crenshaw 57). Anger of rage, at what is considered as unjust persecution or harassment, inspires demands for vengeance, and, as the countries respond to terrorist actions with more significant force, violence goes out of control. Richard Connerney: Islam Promotes Terrorism and Violence A representative democratic system does not stand well in the Muslim world, but it fits extremely well in the Christian world. Richard Connerney is definitely aware that our founding fathers’ suggested secular democracy harshly clashed with contemporary church/spiritual leaders, and that contemporary Christian Reconstructionists look to base the United States’ judicial structure on Old Testament laws. Even United States’ most patriotic evangelists, according to Connerney (1) will happily inform someone that the Kingdom of God is not, by any means, a democracy or regime. It is faith that matters most in this world. According to the Christian faith, taking away someone’s life is left solely to God, but in the Islamic world, when you kill someone, the killer can urge that they did it in the name of Allah. They mostly take part in terrorist attacks because they consider that they will be "blessed" if they take away the lives of their fellow humans (Connerney 1). Also, when Islamic people clash other religions, they opt to turn to terrorism in order to enforce their point. It is written in the Quran that Islamic people should endeavor to spread their faith throughout the entire world, and they tend to do this by any means. The conflict with Christians mostly in the United States has caused a lot of clashes such as the 9/11 attacks (Connerney 1). Also, African nations such as Nigeria are experiencing terrorist attacks believed to be conveyed from the Muslims against the Christians. Peter Bergen and Swati Pandey: The Madrassa Scapegoat Madrassas have turned out to be one of the leading symbols and signs of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks. This has evoked fears all through the Western world linking terrorism to religion. Bergen and Pandey (1) argue that the main reason why terrorist carry out their activities is due to religious factors. The way Madrassas shape the beliefs of Muslim people is the main reason why they opt to engage in terrorist acts. They believe that in killing their fellow humans, especially the ones that oppose their religion, they will be blessed. That is why the author is referring to the Madrassas as scapegoats. Therefore, according to the four articles, it is correct to conclude that terrorist activities are mostly linked to religious views. A majority of regimes in this world base their political views according to the majority religion in their nation. The political views, hence, reflect the religious views of that nation, which is also linked to terrorism. Works Cited Bergen, Peter, and Pandey, Swati. The Madrassa Scapegoat. N.p, 2006. Web. 16 May 2013. Connerney, Richard. Islam Promotes Terrorism and Violence. N.p, 2001. Web. 16 May 2013. Crenshaw, Martha. The logic of Terrorism. New Jersey: Pearson Press, 1998. Print. Nacos, Brigitte L. The Making of Terrorists: Causes, Conditions, Influences. New York: Longman Publishers, 2007. Print. Read More