Chapter Four: The Advent of Religious Terrorism

Chapter Four:Chapter Four:

The Advent of Religious The Advent of Religious TerrorismTerrorism

Analysis of Religious Analysis of Religious TerrorismTerrorism

Analysis of Religious TerrorismAnalysis of Religious Terrorism

Religious fanaticism and technologyReligious fanaticism and technology Terrorists behave differently from Terrorists behave differently from

regular criminals, religious regular criminals, religious terrorists behave differently from terrorists behave differently from political terroristspolitical terrorists

Religious terrorists are not Religious terrorists are not constrained by the same factors constrained by the same factors that inhibit other types of terroriststhat inhibit other types of terrorists

Holy Terror vs. Secular TerrorHoly Terror vs. Secular Terror Secular terrorists operate within a dominant Secular terrorists operate within a dominant

political and cultural frameworkpolitical and cultural framework Secular terrorists would rather make allies than Secular terrorists would rather make allies than

indiscriminately kill their enemiesindiscriminately kill their enemies Holy terrorists see the world as a battlefield Holy terrorists see the world as a battlefield

between the forces of light and darknessbetween the forces of light and darkness Holy terrorists see killing as a sacramental act. Holy terrorists see killing as a sacramental act.

Examples can be found in:Examples can be found in: The KoranThe Koran Christian Old TestamentChristian Old Testament Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible


True believersTrue believers Religious terrorists dismiss the Religious terrorists dismiss the

religious views of othersreligious views of others When a person becomes a true When a person becomes a true

believer and a religious doctrine believer and a religious doctrine sanctions the use of violence, sanctions the use of violence, deified terrorism results, that is, deified terrorism results, that is, the act of terrorism itself is made the act of terrorism itself is made sacred and holysacred and holy


Analysis of Religious Terrorism Analysis of Religious Terrorism

Other dangerous trends in holy terrorOther dangerous trends in holy terror Religious terrorists are not utilitarian; Religious terrorists are not utilitarian;

that is, they are not a person seeking that is, they are not a person seeking the greatest amount of good for the the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. Religious greatest number of people. Religious terrorist seek the greatest good for terrorist seek the greatest good for themselvesthemselves

Religious terrorists demonize their Religious terrorists demonize their enemies; that is, they equate their enemies; that is, they equate their enemies with the ultimate source of enemies with the ultimate source of evilevil

The Social Characteristics The Social Characteristics of Terrorists: of Terrorists:

Juergensmeyer’s Terror in Juergensmeyer’s Terror in God’s MindGod’s Mind

The Social Characteristics of Terrorists: The Social Characteristics of Terrorists: Juergensmeyer’s Terror in God’s MindJuergensmeyer’s Terror in God’s Mind Holy warriorsHoly warriors

The call to violence is a call to purify the The call to violence is a call to purify the world from the nonbeliever and the world from the nonbeliever and the incorrect interpreters of tradition in a incorrect interpreters of tradition in a holy warholy war

Those who do not stand with the holy Those who do not stand with the holy warrior are evilwarrior are evil

If the holy warrior falls, the warrior If the holy warrior falls, the warrior becomes a martyr for hope; if the holy becomes a martyr for hope; if the holy warrior is successful, it is a victory for warrior is successful, it is a victory for the deitythe deity

The Social Characteristics of Terrorists: The Social Characteristics of Terrorists: Juergensmeyer’s Terror in God’s MindJuergensmeyer’s Terror in God’s Mind Commonalities of holy warriors from Commonalities of holy warriors from

different faith traditionsdifferent faith traditions Al Qaeda, the Covenant, the Al Qaeda, the Covenant, the

Sword, the Arm of the LordSword, the Arm of the Lord Manuals begin with theological Manuals begin with theological

passagespassages Manuals quote U.S. Army Manuals quote U.S. Army

manualsmanuals

Religions That Kill: Stern’s Religions That Kill: Stern’s Terror in God’s MindTerror in God’s Mind

Religions That Kill: Stern’s Terror in Religions That Kill: Stern’s Terror in God’s MindGod’s Mind

MythsMyths A myth is a sacred story that A myth is a sacred story that

conveys deep-seated truths; it conveys deep-seated truths; it explains the basis of beliefexplains the basis of belief

Terrorists use myths as a story to Terrorists use myths as a story to explain a religious struggleexplain a religious struggle


The return to the sacred storyThe return to the sacred story People around the world are People around the world are

returning to their religious roots as returning to their religious roots as a means to escape the complexity a means to escape the complexity of modern lifeof modern life

Old truths in one society may Old truths in one society may collide with the truths of another collide with the truths of another society. When mythological truths society. When mythological truths compete, violence often resultscompete, violence often results


Changes in the structure of terrorist organizationsChanges in the structure of terrorist organizations Stories change the nature of terrorist Stories change the nature of terrorist

organizations, and they help to produce a organizations, and they help to produce a number of different group organizations and number of different group organizations and stylesstyles Some center of rigid structuresSome center of rigid structures Some grow when a number of insecure Some grow when a number of insecure

people gather around a strong personalitypeople gather around a strong personality Some groups are informal, and everybody Some groups are informal, and everybody

has a leadership functionhas a leadership function Some loners loosely affiliate with a group Some loners loosely affiliate with a group

but tend to act on their ownbut tend to act on their own


Professional terrorists in religious organizationsProfessional terrorists in religious organizations Leaders originally join a group because they Leaders originally join a group because they

believe in the myth, but after a time the believe in the myth, but after a time the lifestyle produces the need for “professional lifestyle produces the need for “professional behavior”behavior”

The power of the myth becomes less The power of the myth becomes less important, and the day-to-day job of terrorism important, and the day-to-day job of terrorism growsgrows

The impact of religion on the “lone wolf avenger”The impact of religion on the “lone wolf avenger” Lone wolf avengers have a special, narcissistic Lone wolf avengers have a special, narcissistic

relationship with their deities. In essence, they relationship with their deities. In essence, they create a god in their own image create a god in their own image

The Logic of Religious The Logic of Religious TerrorismTerrorism

The Logic of Religious TerrorismThe Logic of Religious Terrorism Killing and nonkilling religionsKilling and nonkilling religions

Killing religions were based on the premise that Killing religions were based on the premise that a deity would help the community in a time of a deity would help the community in a time of crisis. In the killing religions, gods slaughtered crisis. In the killing religions, gods slaughtered enemiesenemies

The nonkilling religions embraced enemies and The nonkilling religions embraced enemies and developed elaborate ideologies to justify developed elaborate ideologies to justify violence as a last resortviolence as a last resort

Nonkilling transcendence is often transformed Nonkilling transcendence is often transformed into a militant ideology designed to protect a into a militant ideology designed to protect a state or some other social group by this state or some other social group by this rationalizing of the use of violence as a last rationalizing of the use of violence as a last resortresort

The Logic of Religious TerrorismThe Logic of Religious Terrorism

Ordinary and extraordinary worldsOrdinary and extraordinary worlds We use language and logical We use language and logical

concepts to describe the ordinary or concepts to describe the ordinary or everyday worldeveryday world

We use symbols and myths to talk We use symbols and myths to talk about the extraordinary or spiritual about the extraordinary or spiritual worldworld

It is difficult to put extraordinary It is difficult to put extraordinary events into words, so we are forced events into words, so we are forced to use everyday languageto use everyday language


Paul TillichPaul Tillich Because we put spiritual Because we put spiritual

experiences in common language, experiences in common language, we “literalize symbols”- the we “literalize symbols”- the symbol no longer represents the symbol no longer represents the sacred experience because it sacred experience because it becomes the experiencebecomes the experience

The symbol becomes the object of The symbol becomes the object of worship, and has taken the place worship, and has taken the place of the sacredof the sacred


The Promised LandThe Promised Land In the sacred story of the Israelites, In the sacred story of the Israelites,

God promises the Hebrews a land God promises the Hebrews a land flowing with milk and honeyflowing with milk and honey

The everyday language of the story The everyday language of the story makes it look as though God promises makes it look as though God promises the Israelites a geographical locationthe Israelites a geographical location

The story is misinterpreted as “God The story is misinterpreted as “God promised Abraham the state of Israel”promised Abraham the state of Israel”


The Balkan PeninsulaThe Balkan Peninsula The Balkan Peninsula has been The Balkan Peninsula has been

devastated, and the fundamental devastated, and the fundamental reason for the conflict is based on reason for the conflict is based on three interpretations of religion: three interpretations of religion: Islam, Christian Roman Catholic, Islam, Christian Roman Catholic, and Eastern Christian Orthodox and Eastern Christian Orthodox ChurchChurch

The Logic of Religious TerrorismThe Logic of Religious Terrorism The Turner DiariesThe Turner Diaries

A fictional work by white supremacist William Pierce in A fictional work by white supremacist William Pierce in which the main protagonist has a religious experiencewhich the main protagonist has a religious experience

The main character, Earl Turner, joins The Order. The The main character, Earl Turner, joins The Order. The Order gives Turner “The Book”, a “holy” book Order gives Turner “The Book”, a “holy” book describing God’s plan to create a racially pure world in describing God’s plan to create a racially pure world in the face of Jews and people of colorthe face of Jews and people of color

Turner admits to having a transcendent experience, but Turner admits to having a transcendent experience, but he cannot express his thoughts in ordinary language. he cannot express his thoughts in ordinary language. He comes to realize that he can only experience the He comes to realize that he can only experience the extraordinary by doing something spectacular, so he extraordinary by doing something spectacular, so he goes on a killing spreegoes on a killing spree

Terrorism and religion are fictionally united, and the Terrorism and religion are fictionally united, and the Turner DiariesTurner Diaries inadvertently illustrates the “logic” of inadvertently illustrates the “logic” of religious violence.religious violence.

Huntington’s Clash of Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations and Esposito’s Civilizations and Esposito’s

ResponseResponse

Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations and Esposito’s Responseand Esposito’s Response

Huntington’s historical epochsHuntington’s historical epochs Medieval Europe from the Reformation Medieval Europe from the Reformation

(1517) to the Thirty Years’ War (1618\-(1517) to the Thirty Years’ War (1618\-1648)—Characterized by religious wars1648)—Characterized by religious wars

After the Peace of Westphalia (1648), After the Peace of Westphalia (1648), dynastic rights and territorial needs dynastic rights and territorial needs dominated international conflictdominated international conflict

Nationalistic wars after the French Nationalistic wars after the French Revolution (1789\-1799)Revolution (1789\-1799)

In 1918, ideological conflict moved to the In 1918, ideological conflict moved to the forefrontforefront

Capitalism vs. Communism (until 1991 Capitalism vs. Communism (until 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union)with the collapse of the Soviet Union)

Clash of civilization—post\-Cold War eraClash of civilization—post\-Cold War era


Eight primary cultural paradigms or Eight primary cultural paradigms or civilizations dominating the modern worldcivilizations dominating the modern world WesternWestern ConfucianConfucian JapaneseJapanese IslamicIslamic HinduHindu Slavic-OrthodoxSlavic-Orthodox Latin AmericaLatin America AfricanAfrican

Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations and Esposito’s Responseand Esposito’s Response Huntington’s ThesisHuntington’s Thesis

International peace will be threatened in International peace will be threatened in “torn countries”. These are regions “torn countries”. These are regions where more than one civilization exists where more than one civilization exists within an areawithin an area

John EspositoJohn Esposito Disagrees with Huntington on Two Disagrees with Huntington on Two

Levels:Levels: Culture or civilization is defined by Culture or civilization is defined by

more than religionmore than religion There is no Islamic civilizationThere is no Islamic civilization


Daniel PipesDaniel Pipes When looking at Islam, the major clash is not When looking at Islam, the major clash is not

between civilizations, but rather within between civilizations, but rather within Islamic civilizationIslamic civilization

Thomas BarnettThomas Barnett Divides the world between a functioning Divides the world between a functioning

economic core and an excluded, economic core and an excluded, nonintegrating gap that is not included in nonintegrating gap that is not included in the global economy. Terrorism comes from the global economy. Terrorism comes from the nonintegrating gapthe nonintegrating gap

Believes Huntington’s clash comes between Believes Huntington’s clash comes between economic rather than cultural civilizationseconomic rather than cultural civilizations

Role of EschatologyRole of Eschatology

Role of EschatologyRole of Eschatology EschatologyEschatology

Derived from the Greek word Derived from the Greek word eschatoseschatos, a concept dealing with , a concept dealing with the end of all material and purpose the end of all material and purpose in time and spacein time and space

In the Greek Hebrew Bible, it is In the Greek Hebrew Bible, it is interpreted as a final judgment interpreted as a final judgment and the realization of God’s and the realization of God’s purpose for creationpurpose for creation

Role of EschatologyRole of Eschatology John Domonic Crossan’s four commonly John Domonic Crossan’s four commonly

held eschatological frameworksheld eschatological frameworks Ascetic: Self denialAscetic: Self denial Apocalyptic: God’s destruction of the Apocalyptic: God’s destruction of the

existing orderexisting order Ethical: Calls for followers to embrace Ethical: Calls for followers to embrace

radically moral behavior in recognition radically moral behavior in recognition of God’s imminent reignof God’s imminent reign

Political: Combines expectations of Political: Combines expectations of religious judgment with political actionreligious judgment with political action

Role of EschatologyRole of Eschatology Political EschatologyPolitical Eschatology

Daniel Pipes says that traditional Islam is Daniel Pipes says that traditional Islam is concerned with political moralityconcerned with political morality

If one is expecting apocalyptic or ascetic If one is expecting apocalyptic or ascetic eschatology, there is no need to worry, eschatology, there is no need to worry, because God will make the final judgment. because God will make the final judgment. On the other hand, some forms of ethical On the other hand, some forms of ethical and almost all forms of political eschatology and almost all forms of political eschatology rely on the actions of human beingsrely on the actions of human beings

Gunter Lewy argues that linking political Gunter Lewy argues that linking political beliefs with an end-of-time theology is a beliefs with an end-of-time theology is a prescription for violenceprescription for violence

Two Views of Islam Two Views of Islam and Terrorismand Terrorism

Two Views of Islam and TerrorismTwo Views of Islam and Terrorism

Reuvan PazReuvan Paz Islamic fundamentalism is related Islamic fundamentalism is related

to political violenceto political violence There is an Islamic terrorismThere is an Islamic terrorism Islam sees itself in a global war Islam sees itself in a global war

with the Westwith the West


David KibbleDavid Kibble Islamic fundamentalism seems to Islamic fundamentalism seems to

be a threat at face valuebe a threat at face value The pockets of Islamic extremism The pockets of Islamic extremism

in the that sustain terrorism Middle in the that sustain terrorism Middle East are isolated and dividedEast are isolated and divided


Clarence BouchatClarence Bouchat American fears and misunderstandings American fears and misunderstandings

of Islam make it appear as if of Islam make it appear as if fundamentalists were united and fundamentalists were united and threatening to gather the Middle East in threatening to gather the Middle East in a war against the Westa war against the West

Daniel PipesDaniel Pipes American political leaders have had bad American political leaders have had bad

political advice from academic experts political advice from academic experts who told the West not to worry about who told the West not to worry about militant Islammilitant Islam


John EspositoJohn Esposito There are a variety of Islamic There are a variety of Islamic

political groups, and most of them political groups, and most of them see violence as counterproductivesee violence as counterproductive

It is not possible to rely on It is not possible to rely on stereotypes or classify Islam as a stereotypes or classify Islam as a violent religionviolent religion

Documents

Chapter Four: The Advent of Religious Terrorism