Religion and Terrorism Issues - Assignment Example

• • (a)Religion and terrorism

As Adesoji (2010) argues, in Nigeria there is even distribution of religions where most members either claim to be in Christianity, Islam or African Traditional Religion. The North is largely dominated by Muslim while the South East is largely Christian. Terrorism has recently been rampant where the Muslim adherents, Boko Haram target specific people like Christians, churches and government institutions. The purpose for attack has been promoted by the desire to impose and force the whole country to be an Islamic governed state where strict Sharia governs the state. This has led to order for non-Muslims to vacate some parts of the country where futility among them fails to recognize the presence of Muslim-Christian in Nigeria territory. Terrorism has been seen through violent actions where indiscriminate killings of people without clear logical reasons have led to loss of human lives and damage to properties.

In Bangladesh since the declaration of Islam as a state religion in 1972, terrorism has been on the rise. The effects contributed to massive Islamizing of the society through religiously indoctrinated youths who act as front-line activists. From 1999 to 2005, the Islamist militants have been involved in bombing of temples, churches, cinema hall and the political rallies of the opponents members in other religions. Terrorist threats are common and most of extremist militants arrested belong to Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) that attacks Christians and Buddhists in the country. The support of religion is used as the basis of how the others experience their freedom in Bangladesh. Any efforts to restore secularism as a principle of the state are frustrated by both the constitution and religious persecutions.

• Religious fundamentalism

Religious exclusivism is prevalent in both North of Nigeria and Bangladesh. In the regions the Muslims extremist adheres to their religious understanding to support their faith. As Devine & White (2013) points out, Bangladesh considers Muslim faith to be an only authentic religion where they see the followers of other religions as doomed unless they accept conversion to Muslim. In the practice of the right of their religion, they openly oppose and pressure Christians and Buddhist. In those countries, the basic understanding and attitude toward the other religions has for long remained unchanged making them more exclusivstic toward others. The situation though complex through different social, ethnic and political dimensions, there is a religious dimension that becomes a basis of contention. Religion therefore remains an approach to the solution in the case but mostly its emphasis is seen with Muslims. Less is done by Muslims to change their dimension about others and at least develop some positive attitude to Christianity and Buddhism in general. This diminishes the possibility of holding joint approach to the religion challenges.

The great emphasis that can be seen is lack of seeking of common grounds, stressing on the things that join the religion together or emphasis of the shared religious values. Religion becomes a backbone and determines how issues are to be coordinated. The efforts and the responsibility seen by Muslim pronounce the differences making the religion and its beliefs so much prevalent and an issue of national concern. The Muslim therefore does not accept the sincere Christians or laws that are secularist. This leads to support of Islamic tradition and religion efforts in education, law of the land and enlightenment (Gunning & Jackson 2011)).

• Fundamentalism and terrorism

Gunning & Jackson (2011) argues that, fundamentalism in its extreme manifestation goes beyond unchangeable religious doctrines manifesting through disciplined opposition to the other religions. Looking at Nigeria and Bangladesh, there are a group of people who cling to exaggerated religiosity which is in both cases, Muslims. The groups gain proofs their dissatisfaction with other and exhibit less tolerance to others with different beliefs. The responses by other groups is used as a way for attack where Christians have been burned, hacked to death, churches burned and violent displacement as a way to express dissatisfaction. Extending their identities with the globalized religious movement like al-Qaeda, the extreme fundamentalist use the methods that are famous in opposing other different ideologies through bombing and mass killing. Terrorist engage in acts that cause excessive fear and catches the world attention to prove their point. The determination of the groups to stand apart from the non-believers of Islamic faith and inclusivist countries lead to violence as others is perceived as threatening.

According to Adesoji (2010), obsessions lead to progressive feelings and beliefs in destructive aspects. As the extremist are preoccupied with one sided view of the world around them, the perceived threats promote hostility which is expressed through attacks and massacres. The special reality based on illusion of religion together with awareness of the threatening religions and beliefs are the key reasons that lead extremist to strike the threatening members of the other religions. One of the ways they achieve this, is through organized and sanctioned propaganda. They together interpret written and verbal texts and particularly certain verse which is seen as irrefutable and non-negotiable. The alteration of a certain viewpoint promotes the extremist to accept mass killings as a service in maintaining a tie to their religion. The acts induce fear and negative feelings to other people in different belief systems making the situation dire.

• Differences: Religion and terrorism

Comparing Nigeria and Bangladesh will of course argue that there are differences that exist. In Bangladesh, religious terrorism differs in character and its causes. In actual sense, Bangladesh religious terrorism is enshrined by political system as the defenders of the religion reasons through applying some of their commonly held moral principles. The misuse of religion by terrorists cannot be used to justify their acts like burning and killing. The reason why religious terrorism is prevalent in Bangladesh may have been promoted by the thought that such acts of violence are warranted due to state religion (Devine & White 2013). Violent acts are regarded by the perpetrators as legitimate and used as defensive tactics for ongoing battles and a state of ultimate conflict. On the other hand, Nigeria is less prevalent to religious terrorism which may partly due to the viewpoints of other religious countries surrounding it like Egypt and Mali. Religious fanaticism and politics thus work hand in hand to bring about the occasional conflicts in support for a particular system, person or change (Adesoji 2010).