Terrible Terrorism?

News agencies in India widely reported a bomb explosion at the Chennai station, on a train traveling between the Indian cities of Bangalore and Guwahati. Police suspected this was a terror attack. This was just another incident in what is seemingly a growing number of terrorist attacks around the world. No place or person seems safe.

So what exactly is terrorism? There are various definitions and descriptions of terrorism. Additionally there are different classifications of terrorism used, like International, Domestic, Transnational, etc. Here are some of the more common descriptions that are broadly applicable across all categories:

Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them – UN General Assembly Resolution 49/60 (Note: there is no common definition that all member states of the UN agree upon)

Any act or threat of violence, whatever its motives or purposes, that occurs in the advancement of an individual or collective criminal agenda and seeking to sow panic among people, causing fear by harming them, or placing their lives, liberty or security in danger, or seeking to cause damage to the environment or to public or private installations or property or to occupying or seizing them, or seeking to jeopardize national resources – The Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism.

Terrorist offenses are certain criminal offenses set out in a list comprised largely of serious offenses against persons and property which: given their nature or context, may seriously damage a country or an international organization where committed with the aim of: seriously intimidating a population; or unduly compelling a Government or international organization to perform or abstain from performing any act; or seriously destabilizing or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organization – Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism, 2002 (EU).

Terrorist activities include: threatening, conspiring or attempting to hijack airplanes, boats, buses or other vehicles, threatening, conspiring or attempting to commit acts of violence on any “protected” persons, such as government officials, any crime committed with “the use of any weapon or dangerous device,” when the intent of the crime is determined to be the endangerment of public safety or substantial property damage rather than for “mere personal monetary gain” – US Patriot Act of 2001

A cursory glance at the definitions quickly brings out problems that are encountered while working with these definitions and descriptions. Questions like, whose definition of criminal offense is applied to whom? Who determines what is a criminal agenda? What defines unduly compelling a government? What differentiates this from an act of war? It seems to be the case that there is no clear definition of terrorism and how an act is defined is fundamentally dependent on which side of the side of the fence one happens to be on.

In this scenario, where there seem to be more shades of gray than clear black and white areas in this matter, how must a Christian respond? Alistair Ross notes in an interview conducted with the Chief Superintendent Andrew Pratt of Blackburn (UK) that terrorism is not a new phenomenon and there are even incidents wherein even Biblical characters like Samson engaged in activities that could be labeled as terrorism today. Despite the many gray areas, there is general agreement that ideally these acts are not moral and the killing of the innocent should be prevented. However, terrorists do not act without reason and as is the case with most earthly justice, there is no ultimate justice. Both the terrorist and terrorized are at fault, either directly or indirectly.

Some possible Christian responses and the accompanying problems with accepting the responses are briefly highlighted here. Firstly, there is the mandate given in Romans 13:1, to submit to “governing authorities” because all authorities have been “instituted by God.” The immediate objection to this would be the question, “What about oppressive regimes like the Nazis or corrupt regimes that are so common in Asian countries?” Secondly, within the previous chapter of Romans 12:19, is the command to “never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.” With this in view should Christians support the war on terrorism? How does it look like when this command is combined with the instruction in Matthew 5:39 to turn the other cheek to a person who strikes you. Lastly, the latter half of the greatest commandment calls us to “love our neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). This could mean reaching out to the oppressor with love. So, how must Christians respond when there is a conflict of interest between their governments and this mandate to love their neighbors, if they happen to live in a nation at war against terror or one at the receiving end of a war against terror?

Andrew Pratt's example does provide one with an option, where he as the Chief Superintendent imposed the law faithfully but on a personal basis reached out to the marginalized communities. However he suffered the ridicule and was subjected to persecution from within his own community for his actions. Perhaps in this case, this is what it means to carry our cross.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Have you experienced terrorism in your own country? What are your feelings towards the terrorists?

2. How can we live with the mandate to love our enemies and neighbors while still being patriotic?

3. Is it right for Christians to align themselves with a political view? If so, on what basis?

SOURCES:

Affairs, Arizona Department of Emergency and Military. http://www.azdema.gov/museum/

famousbattles/pdf/Terrorism%20Definitions%20072809.pdf (accessed, August 3, 2014).

All Bible references are sourced from the English Standard Version (Copyright, 2001).

Mohan Gopu. The Indian Express. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/live-blast-at- chennai-central-station- 10-feared-injured-reports/ (accessed, August 3, 2014).

Pratt, Andrew and Alistair Ross. Terrorism: An Incarnational Response – An Interview with Andrew Pratt. Practical Theology, vol 6, issue 2, 2013, 131-143.

Matthias (28), TS660B - Asian Cultures and Ethics