CAN TERRORISM BE JUSTIFIED?

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