By, Jeevan
Shrestha
 |
Terrorism is “is the systematic use of terror or unpredictable
violence against governments, public or individuals to attain a political
objective. Terrorism has been used by political organizations with both
rightist and leftist objectives, by nationalistic and ethnic groups, by
revolutionaries, and by the armies and secret police of governments
themselves.”
History
of Terrorism
|
Terrorism has been in practice throughout history of the world. Roman emperors Tiberius (AD 14–37) and
Caligula (AD 37–41) used various means of terrorism such as banishment,
expropriation of property, and execution to discourage opposition to their
rule. The Spanish Inquisition used arbitrary arrest, torture, and execution to
punish what it viewed as religious heresy. Robespierre openly advocated the use
of terror by encouraging revolutionary virtue during the French Revolution,
leading to the period of his political dominance called the Reign of Terror
(1793–94). After the American Civil War (1861–65) defiant Southerners formed a
terrorist organization called the Ku Klux Klan to threaten supporters of
Reconstruction.
Terrorism
was adopted as virtually a state policy by such totalitarian regimes as those
of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union under Stalin. They arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and executed people
without legal guidance or restraints, to create a climate of fear and to
encourage adherence to the national ideology and the declared economic,
social, and political goals of the state. In the latter half
of the 19th century, terrorism was adopted by adherents of anarchism in Western
Europe, Russia, and the United States with the belief that to effect
revolutionary political and social change the best way was to assassinate
persons in positions of power.
Terrorism
has been used by one or both sides in anti-colonial conflicts (Ireland and the
United Kingdom, Algeria and France, Vietnam and France/United States), in
disputes between different national groups over possession of a contested
homeland (Palestinians and Israel), in conflicts between different religious
denominations (Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland), and in internal
conflicts between revolutionary forces and established governments (Malaysia,
Indonesia, the Philippines, Iran, Nicaragua, El- Salvador, Argentina).
Revenge
Vs Justice
Kidnappings,
assassinations, skyjackings, bombings, and hijackings are some of the acts
Terrorist used for legitimate political activities. In view of all these acts, Terrorism
is ethically wrong because innocents’ lives are lost, many of them become
homeless and poor, national and public property’s are destroyed, the impact of
terrorist attack brings and most importantly, the life of civilians are not
secure at any time. The terrorist attacks are purely evil. However, when the
victim country reacts upon such terrorism, is it ethically right? Are they
guilty of doing the same kinds of action with the same kinds of intentions and consequences
by killing thousands of innocent people and ruining their country’s property when
seeking to capture or murder the culprit? Does “the Act of Revenge” solve the
problem of terrorism? After killing every member of terrorist do we feel
justified? Are we willing to admit that we have committed terrorist actions and
we propose violence against ourselves making everyone immune to the attacks? Is
revenge always the right way? These are questions that I wrestle with, whenever
I think of terrorism and its effect on different level.
How
Should a Christian Response to Terrorism?
What should be a Christian response to what
the terrorists have done? Should we forgive them and turn the other cheek?
The
foremost Christian response to terrorism is to confide in the Character of
Christ as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Christ Jesus is our ultimate confidence,
for He has secured Peace for us, giving us the assurance that we need not be
afraid of the terror, violence, intimidation, coercion, or death of this world.
Christ clearly said that "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor
let it be fearful….. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you
may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33).” Therefore, For Christians confidence
in Christ is the chief weapon in the conflict with the terrorism of the world. For
we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our
assurance firm until the end, (Hebrews 3:14).
The
Scripture clearly says that we are not to take punishment into our own hands
but to defer vengeance to God through legitimately established governments (Rom.
12:17; 19). Vengeance belongs to God because only He knows perfectly the hearts
of men and only He can temper vengeance and justice (Heb. 10:30). Therefore, the
way to overcome evil is not through personal revenge or hatred but through
personal good and compassion and be a voice for calm in an atmosphere of hatred
and retaliation. Let's seek opportunities to bring hope and forgiveness, help
and grace, in the midst of that devastation. Let's seize every opportunity to
speak of God's love and man's need. Perhaps
then we could find some common ground and start working out a strategy for engagement
instead of first thinking of revenge or violence.
Acts of Terrorism can never be justified. Do you agree?
Work Cited:
http://www.terrorismfiles.org/encyclopaedia/terrorism.html
http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/Response.to.Terrorism.html
