Terrorism & Religion and Terrorism | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

What is Terrorism?

• Terrorism involves violent acts designed to instill fear.
• A terrorist is someone who organizes or executes these acts. 
• It typically involves individuals or groups using fear to advance their ideological goals. 
• Such acts often target civilians, leading many to view them as illegal acts of war and violence. 
• The United Nations Security Council considers terrorist attacks as serious threats.
• Terrorists believe that by causing harm, they can raise awareness of their cause, intimidate the public, and pressure authorities to meet their demands. 
• They often claim their actions are justified, citing reasons such as:
  • Fighting social or political oppression, where certain groups are deprived of their human rights.
  • Addressing poverty.
  • Defending their religious beliefs, particularly when they feel these are suppressed.
• While terrorists may link their actions to religions like Christianity or Islam, no religion endorses terrorism. 
• Most religious individuals condemn such violent acts, especially since they often harm innocent people, and prefer peaceful resolutions instead.

Examples of Terrorism

• Numerous terrorist incidents have occurred in recent history. 
• Some involve large-scale operations with multiple perpetrators and victims, while others are carried out by lone individuals targeting a single person.
  • In September 2001, the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda carried out attacks on various sites, including the World Trade Center in New York. 
• In contrast, the assassination of MP Jo Cox in June2016 was committed by a lone gunman.
• Since the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, several significant terrorist incidents have taken place, including the London bombings on July 7, 2005 (7/7), the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015, and the Manchester Ariana Grande concert bombing on May 2, 2017. 
• The Wieambilla shootings in Australia on December 12, 2022, were carried out by a Christian fundamentalist. 
• In 2011, a far-right extremist perpetrated Norway’s deadliest terrorist attack, killing 77 people. The July 7, 2005, London suicide bombings resulted in 52 deaths and over 700 injuries.
• Although the perpetrators of the London bombings associated themselves with Islam, the majority of Muslims, including religious and community leaders, denounced the attacks and joined leaders of other faiths to express unity against terrorism. 
• In Islam, terrorist acts are seen as contrary to God’s will, particularly because they target innocent people. 
• Islamic teachings provide no justification for terrorism, as Islam is a religion that promotes peace, despite the actions of a small minority claiming to represent it.

Religious Views on Terrorism

Muslim Perspectives on Terrorism

• Islamic teachings on Just War make it difficult to justify terrorism. 
• While Muslims recognize the concept of "Lesser Jihad," it does not permit the killing of innocent people. 
• All Muslims uphold the sanctity of life, emphasizing that life must be preserved, not taken. 
• Muslim scholar Hamza Yusuf has highlighted the following:
  • Terrorism targets innocent civilians, which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) explicitly prohibited, stating, "Do not kill women, children, non-combatants, the elderly, or religious figures."
  • Suicide is forbidden (haram) in Islam, so suicide bombers violate Islamic principles by taking their own lives and harming innocents.
  • During the Crusades, Muslims refrained from killing civilians.
  • Murder is haram, and killing civilians is considered murder.
  • Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned that those who kill in the name of Islam, without true devotion to God, will face punishment in hell.
• The majority of Muslims oppose terrorism and actively work to prevent it. 
• The Muslim Council of Britain, representing many Muslims in the UK, has taken steps such as:
  • Funding advertisements to denounce terrorist attacks.
  • Collaborating with law enforcement to develop counter-terrorism strategies.
  • Organizing events to educate the public about Islam.

Christian Perspectives on Terrorism

• Most Christians reject terrorism and advocate for peaceful conflict resolution. 
• One of the Ten Commandments, "Do not kill," directly conflicts with terrorism, which often involves the killing of innocent people.
•  Jesus taught, "Blessed are the Peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), indicating that God favors those who seek peace and avoid violence. Additionally, Jesus instructed to "love your enemies and pray for them," suggesting Christians should strive to understand and care for their adversaries rather than destroy them. 
• Some Christians embrace pacifism, following Jesus’ teaching of "turning the other cheek," which promotes non-violence even in the face of aggression. All Christians value the sanctity of life, believing that life, as a gift from God, should not be discarded.

Non-Religious Perspectives on Terrorism

• Most non-religious individuals view terrorism as inherently wrong due to its targeting of innocent lives.
• While some terrorists claim religious motivations, these may be attempts to justify their actions. 
• Terrorism can also stem from social, political, economic, or racial motives.
• In some cases, opposing groups label each other as terrorists to legitimize their own attacks. 
• Organizations like the United Nations have dedicated counter-terrorism units that work globally to prevent terrorism and support its victims.

Humanist Perspectives on Terrorism

• Humanists, who base their ethics on reason, experience, and empathy rather than religion, strongly oppose terrorism. 
• They believe it is fundamentally wrong to target civilians with violence for political, social, or religious purposes. 
• Humanists hold that "the end can never justify the means," meaning that terrorizing civilians is never acceptable, regardless of the goal. Some humanists argue that religious fanaticism can contribute to terrorist activities, though most religious people assert that terrorists do not represent their faith.