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Religious terrorism is a type ofreligious violence whereterrorism is used as a strategy to achieve certain religious goals or which are influenced by religious beliefs and/or identity.[1]
In themodern age, after the decline of ideas such as thedivine right of kings and with the rise ofnationalism, terrorism has more often been based onanarchism, andrevolutionary politics. Since 1980, however, there has been an increase in terrorist activity motivated byreligion.[2]: 2 [3]: 185–99
FormerUnited States Secretary of StateWarren Christopher said that terrorist acts in the name of religion and ethnic identity have become "one of the most important security challenges we face in the wake of theCold War."[4]: 6 However, political scientistsRobert Pape andTerry Nardin,[5] social psychologistBrooke Rogers,[6] and sociologist and religious studies scholarMark Juergensmeyer have all argued that religion should only be considered one incidental factor and that such terrorism is primarily geopolitical.
According to Juergensmeyer, religion andviolence have had a symbiotic relationship since before theCrusades and even since before theBible.[4] He defines religious terrorism as consisting of acts that terrify, the definition of which is provided by the witnesses – the ones terrified – and not by the party committing the act; accompanied by either a religious motivation, justification, organization, or world view.[4]: 4–10 Religion is sometimes used in combination with other factors, and sometimes as the primary motivation. Religious terrorism is intimately connected to current forces ofgeopolitics.
Bruce Hoffman has characterized modern religious terrorism as having three traits:
Religious terrorism can be seen as a type ofright-wing terrorism in case ofexclusionary behavior towards other religions.[9]
Important symbolic acts such as the blood sacrifice link acts of violence to religion and terrorism.[10]Suicide terrorism,self-sacrifice, ormartyrdom has throughout history been organized and perpetrated by groups with both political and religious motivations.[11] Suicide terrorism or martyrdom is efficient, inexpensive, easily organized, and extremely difficult to counter, delivering maximum damage for little cost. The shocking nature of a suicide attack also attracts public attention. Glorifying the culture of martyrdom benefits the terrorist organization and inspires more people to join the group.[12] According to one commentator, retaliation againstsuicide attacks increases the group's sense of victimization and commitment to adhere to doctrine and policy. This process serves to encourage martyrdom, and so suicide terrorism, self-sacrifice, or martyrdom represent "value for money".[13]Robert Pape, a political scientist who specializes in suicide terrorism, has made a case for secular motivations and reasons as being the foundations of most suicide attacks, which are often labelled as "religious".[14]
Terrorism activities worldwide are supported through not only the organized systems that teach holy war as the highest calling, but also through the legal, illegal, and often indirect methods financing these systems; these sometimes use organizations, includingcharities, as fronts to mobilize or channel sources and funds.[15] Charities can involve the provision ofaid to those in need, andoblations or charitable offerings are fundamental to nearly all religious systems, with sacrifice as a furtherance of the custom.[16]
Robert Pape compiled the first complete database of every documented suicide bombing from 1980 to 2003. He argues that the news reports aboutsuicide attacks are profoundly misleading – "There is little connection betweensuicide terrorism andIslamic fundamentalism, or any one of the world's religions". After studying 315 suicide attacks carried out over the last two decades, he concludes that suicide bombers' actions stem from political conflict, not religion.[14]
Michael A. Sheehan stated in 2000, "A number of terrorist groups have portrayed their causes in religious and cultural terms. This is often a transparent tactic designed to conceal political goals, generate popular support and silence opposition."[17]
Terry Nardin wrote,
A basic problem is whether religious terrorism really differs, in its character and causes, from political terrorism... defenders of religious terrorism typically reason by applying commonly acknowledged moral principles... But the use (or misuse) of moral arguments does not in fact distinguish religious from nonreligious terrorists, for the latter also rely upon such arguments to justify their acts... political terrorism can also be symbolic... alienation and dispossession... are important in other kinds of violence as well. In short, one wonders whether the expression 'religious terrorism' is more than a journalistic convenience.[5]
ProfessorMark Juergensmeyer wrote,
...religion is not innocent. But it does not ordinarily lead to violence. That happens only with the coalescence of a peculiar set of circumstances – political, social, and ideological – when religion becomes fused with violent expressions of social aspirations, personal pride, and movements for political change.[4]: 10
and
Whether or not one uses 'terrorist' to describe violent acts depends on whether one thinks that the acts are warranted. To a large extent the use of the term depends on one's world view: if the world is perceived as peaceful, violent acts appear to be terrorism. If the world is thought to be at war, violent acts may be regarded as legitimate. They may be seen as preemptive strikes, as defensive tactics in an ongoing battles, or as symbols indicating to the world that it is indeed in a state of grave and ultimate conflict.[4]: 9
David Kupelian wrote, "Genocidal madness can't be blamed on a particular philosophy or religion."[18]: 185
Riaz Hassan wrote, "It is politics more than religious fanaticism that has led terrorists to blow themselves up."[19]
On July 2, 2013, inLahore, 50 Muslim scholars of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) issued a collectivefatwa against suicide bombings, the killing of innocent people, bomb attacks, and targeted killings declaring them asHaraam or forbidden.[20]
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