The Sociopathic Religious Leader and Terrorism
The Sociopathic Religious Leader and Terrorism
The Sociopathic Religious Leader and Terrorism
Naturally, when one is given the task to explore terrorism, the first thing one would think to do is look up the definition to establish a deeper understanding. Merriam-Webster defines terrorism as: “the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal”. This definition can lead one to believe that the word terrorism is nothing more than a subjective, blanketed term that is used loosely to label any act charged with hatred towards the government. This can also lead one to believe that “Terrorism” is not a word that can be easily defined but definitely has to deal with a basis for political hatred. Currently, scholars can not agree upon a more precise definition for the word. It’s meaning varies from country to country, and even person to person. The media leads the general population to believe that terrorism is any violent act committed by a person with radical political beliefs that is pointed towards high government officials but actually takes the lives of innocent civilians. Of course, the events that happened on September 11th, 2001 echo this sentiment and the media tells every American that this is the definition of terrorism. But does an act of terrorism always have to be committed by a radical thinker from the middle east with a deep-seeded hate for America? Does it always have to be politically charged? Absolutely not. Politically aimed terrorism is just one end of the spectrum; however, both Merriam-Webster and the Mass Media would disagree. Both lead one to believe that all terrorism is politically driven. Many scholars also believe there is another fuel behind terroristic attacks. On the other end of the spectrum lies Religion. This world contains religious fanatics that are just as passionate about their beliefs who are also capable of committing the same heinous
The Sociopathic Religious Leader and Terrorism
Naturally, when one is given the task to explore terrorism, the first thing one would think to do is look up the definition to establish a deeper understanding. Merriam-Webster defines terrorism as: “the use of violent acts to frighten the people in an area as a way of trying to achieve a political goal”. This definition can lead one to believe that the word terrorism is nothing more than a subjective, blanketed term that is used loosely to label any act charged with hatred towards the government. This can also lead one to believe that “Terrorism” is not a word that can be easily defined but definitely has to deal with a basis for political hatred. Currently, scholars can not agree upon a more precise definition for the word. It’s meaning varies from country to country, and even person to person. The media leads the general population to believe that terrorism is any violent act committed by a person with radical political beliefs that is pointed towards high government officials but actually takes the lives of innocent civilians. Of course, the events that happened on September 11th, 2001 echo this sentiment and the media tells every American that this is the definition of terrorism. But does an act of terrorism always have to be committed by a radical thinker from the middle east with a deep-seeded hate for America? Does it always have to be politically charged? Absolutely not. Politically aimed terrorism is just one end of the spectrum; however, both Merriam-Webster and the Mass Media would disagree. Both lead one to believe that all terrorism is politically driven. Many scholars also believe there is another fuel behind terroristic attacks. On the other end of the spectrum lies Religion. This world contains religious fanatics that are just as passionate about their beliefs who are also capable of committing the same heinous
Bibliography: 1. Why Has Defining Terrorism Proved So Difficult? Laura Clarke on May 14, 2009 http://www.e-ir.info/2009/05/14/why-has-defining-terrorism-proved-so-difficult/ 4. An Accurate Look at Timothy McVeigh 's Beliefs. Bruce Prescott on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=15532 5