The Muslim as a Terrorist: A Societal Misconception of the Realities of the Current World - Essay Example

 The Muslim as a Terrorist: A Societal Misconception of the Realities of the Current World Abstract: The following discussion will provide the reader with a discussion and analysis of the role that religion plays on terrorism. Although it is true that a great deal of emphasis has been directed towards the role of religion on Islamic terrorism over the past several decades, the discussion will also analyze the means by which religious conviction as such has a profound influence with respect to the manner through which an individual integrates the world around them. Through such an examination, it is the hope of this author that the reader will come to a more profound and relevant interpretation of how these factors influence the way in which the current world is shaped. Terrorism has inarguably had a profound impact within the current world. Although terrorism is not a new concept or one that has been created within the past few years, the relevant threat of Islamic terrorism is something that has caused many individuals around the globe to be rather fearful. However, a core misunderstanding exists with respect to the relationship between Islam and terrorism. One of the most unfair and disheartening typifications and stereotypes that pervade American society is with regards to the belief that somehow all individuals that practice the Muslim faith are ultimately terrorists (Juergensmeyer, 2013). As with many forms of ignorance, this simplistic and erroneous understanding is born out of a complete lack of knowledge for the Muslim faith, what fundamentalism necessarily entails, and the means by which a broad majority of Muslims integrate with society, practice their faith, and seek to be considered equal citizens and stakeholders within American society. As a function of this understanding, this particular analysis will analyze some of the main reasons for why Muslims cannot and should not all be considered as terrorists. As a function of this analysis, the author will specifically focus upon the understanding that categorizing the Muslim population as predetermined to terrorism ignores several salient factors that cannot and should not be ignored. The first of these facts which will be discussed is with regards to an analysis of terrorism data that is compiled by the Federal Bureau of investigations (FBI). According to the FBI, over the last 25 years there been hundreds of different terrorist incidents within the United States. However, the fact of the matter is that when one views the data and analyzes the problem an incidence of terrorism within the United States, one instantly comments to the clear and profound understanding that of all of the incidents which have taken place, only 6% can be attributed to radical Islamic terrorists (Satana et al., 2013). This necessarily means that the remaining 94% of all terrorism within the United States over the past 25 years is attributable to other entities, motives, and groups. Within such an understanding, the reader/researcher can and should come to the immediate realization that although radical Islamic terrorism proves to be a concern for the way in which the world continues to develop, it cannot and should not be considered the primary concern with regards to terrorism. Moreover, when one considers that there are literally hundreds of thousands of peaceful Muslims that currently live within the United States and tens of millions that live within the broader world, such an understanding helps to underscore the relative peacefulness that is exhibited by a religion which comprises fully 1/6 of the world’s population. A further rationale for why individuals should not consider almost comes as potential terrorists is with regards to the fact that such an action represents a level of racism and religious superiority (Henne, 2012). Rather than delving into the issues of racism and religious party as they can exist within society and the negative impacts that this can have, the author will instead choose to focus upon the reaction that is oftentimes exhibited when a minority group integrates with some of the negative stereotypes, hatred, and exclusion that occurs as a result of these actions. Whereas the individuals within society that are putting forward the view that Muslims comprise the single greatest threat to society believe that they are raising awareness to a key issue for concern, the fact of the matter is that they are only server to further disenfranchise many members of the most community within the United States and around the world. As a function of their racism and lack of open-mindedness, they are in fact promoting radical fundamentalist Islam to a greater degree than it would otherwise be exhibited (Kingsley, 2010). Due to the fact that a persecutory- type response exists within these communities, they believe, and rightly so, they are being singled out and targeted by the intolerant and racists within society. Not only does this serve to anger the individuals towards which such intolerance is directed, it doubtless serves to radicalize many members of this group even further than they might have been otherwise. Yet another reason why it should not be assumed that Muslims represent terrorists is with regards to the fact that it ultimately weakens society upon which the strength that United States for so long relied upon. Ultimately, the United States is a conglomeration of cultures, races, religions, and creeds (Kamsby, 2013). As such, seeking to single out a specific group and lay upon such a group a level of reproach in guilt for actions that they were not responsible for ultimately serves to weaken the society, divide the members within it, and reduce munch of strength upon which precepts of the United States was founded (Sick, 2011). Whereas it might be convenient for the reader to assume that the Muslims within the United States which are targeted for this level of intolerance and discrimination are unskilled first generation immigrants, the fact the matter is that Islam has had a long and storied history within the United States with mosques dating back to the 17th century (Grim, 2013). Moreover, with regards to the immigrants that are singled out for this level of discrimination, many of these are highly skilled, highly educated individuals that come the United States as a means of bestowing their talents on the economic and political system that exist within this nation (Jones, 2008). Ultimately, seeking to minimize upon these contributions not only represents a depressing trend but decreases the level to which other such talented individuals within the world might seek out the United States as a future home. Furthermore, in addition to possibly encouraging a level of radicalization among disaffected and discriminated groups within society, seeking to categorize almost as terrorists also has a negative impacts upon Muslim society in general. Rather than existing in a complex and codependent manner, such practices placed undue pressures upon Muslim society both the United States and within the world (Gilly et al., 2009). As a function of this differentiations between those that accept United States and its culture and those that rejected based upon its overall level of discrimination lack of inclusion and racism are evidenced nearly everywhere. In short, individuals that promote such a narrow minded and futile point of view are ultimately unaware of the fact that they are creating something of a self filling prophecy for the society (Bruce, 2013). As long as Muslims within the world are viewed with derision and suspicion by members of society, Dolby certain aspects of the Muslim community that will seek to do harm to those individuals that display such a level of racism and intolerance. Whereas the majority of this discussion has been concentric upon Islamic terrorism and the role that religion and religious conviction plays with it, a more relevant understanding that must be had is with respect to the fact that religious conviction and strong/literal interpretations of a specific creed or faith lead all individuals to be tempted with utilizing violence as a means of coercion for those that might not otherwise see the world within the same lines as they do. One does not need to look very far back into history to note that the Roman Catholic Church, and many of its believers, were keen to utilize every known aspect of terrorism as a means of discoursing any “heresy” from taking place. The Spanish Inquisition is one relevant example of the way in which dogmatic interpretations of religious belief encouraged an entire nation, and indeed an entire religious movement, to engage in nothing short of a blood fest with little to no backing in reality. By engaging with an understanding that Islamic terrorism and its linkages to religion is not a new trend, the reader can more effectively understand the way in which religion has the strong propensity to be utilized for such narrow-minded and foolish goals. Lastly, it is incumbent upon the reader as well is society to integrate with an understanding of the fact that all Muslims are not predisposed to terrorist actions anymore than all Christians are predisposed to burning people at the stake (Johnston, 2010). Naturally, drawing upon history as a means of identifying whether or not a religion is ultimately peaceful or ultimately violent is a futile effort as it simplifies and diminishes the realities of the current situation to such a degree that mind is clouded with incomplete and incorrect information. If the United States wishes to continue to integrate with the Muslim world and provide a level of understanding with regards to the issue of terrorism, it is necessary for society as well is the government to take a strong determined stance against terrorism while at the same time opening the hand of friendship towards the hundreds of millions of Muslims within the world (Al-Khattar, 2003). In such a way, Islamic extremism can be viewed as only one aspect of the Muslim faith and representing only a small portion of terrorist actions that take place; rather than defining the entire Muslim faith and one undifferentiated brushstroke. Rather than coming to the convenient understanding that Islam is the sole purveyor of terrorism throughout the world, the reader would do well to consider the fact that many other religiously motivated acts of horror are perpetrated by a litany of different religious groups. As such, seeking to define these acts of terrorism in a one dimensional way, a far better approach would be to understand terrorism through the lens of radicalism and the means through which religious radicalism encourages individuals who would otherwise be peaceful to engage in horrific acts of violence. Not surprisingly, this understanding and definition of the role of religion (or Islam) with respect to terrorism aptly applies to any type of religious zealot; regardless of their particular religious affiliation. References Al-Khattar, A. M. (2003). Religion and terrorism: An interfaith perspective. Westport (Connecticut: Praeger. Bruce, G. (2013). Intrinsic and External Factors and Influences on the Motivation of Suicide Attackers. Journal Of Military & Veterans' Health, 21(3), 27-33. Gilly, T. A., Gilinskiy, Y., & Sergevnin, V. A. (2009). The Ethics of Terrorism: Innovative Approaches from an International Perspective (17 Lectures). Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD. Grim, B. J. (2013). Cross-National influences on social hostilities involiving religion and government restrictions on religion. Review Of Faith & International Affairs, 11(3), 3-9. doi:10.1080/15570274.2013.829988 Henne, P. S. (2012). The Ancient Fire: Religion and Suicide Terrorism. Terrorism & Political Violence, 24(1), 38-60. doi:10.1080/09546553.2011.608817 Johnston, D. M. (2010). Religion and the Global War on Terrorism. Journal Of Religion, Conflict & Peace, 3(2), 1015-1020. Jones, J. W. (2008). Blood that cries out from the earth: The psychology of religious terrorism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Juergensmeyer, M. (2003). Terror in the mind of God: The global rise of religious violence. Berkeley: University of California Press. Kamsby, T. (2013) Passionate Conviction and Inclusive Community George Rupp. Carnegie Ethics Online, 1-7. Kingsley, O. (2010). Religion and Terrorism: A Socio-Historical Re- Consideration. Journal Of Alternative Perspectives In The Social Sciences, 2(2), 550-576. Satana, N. S., Inman, M., & Birnir, J. (2013). Religion, Government Coalitions, and Terrorism. Terrorism & Political Violence, 25(1), 29-52. doi:10.1080/09546553.2013.733250 Sisk, T. D. (2011). Between terror and tolerance: Religious leaders, conflict, and peacemaking. Washington, D.C: Georgetown University Press. Read More