Terrorism: The Core of an Atrocity

Radical “Islamic” Terrorism has been a phrase that is either said too much or not enough; based on who you listen to. But, does this actually have a religious dimension? Is terrorism the result of a warped view of religion or is there something more going on?

Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world and has more people who follow Islam than any other country in the world. Yet, we don’t see the type of terrorism coming from Indonesia like we do from much of the Middle East. Why not?

Because terrorism is not the result of an incomplete or a misunderstanding of a certain type of religion.

The core of terrorism has always been and still is, political. Indonesia does not have the terrorism that other Islamic countries do because of a combination of democratic governance, a more stable political environment and steady economic development that has lifted millions out of poverty.

In contrast, nations such as Iraq, Libya and Syria have none of that. The political environment of those three nations has been disrupted by Western meddling to such a point that there is simply no stability whatsoever. Bombs have been dropped and many innocent people have died. A lack of leadership and devastating consequences of non-stop Western interference has created a climate of instability and desperation among many in the region.

When someone has lost their family, home and dignity then they will cling to the only thing they have left: their religion. No matter what the religion is, they can find parts of it that support a vengeance directed view towards those they hold responsible for their current political situation. Their religion can give them the fuel to continue with their objectives but it cannot give them the necessary reasons to commit terrorism in the first place.

Blaming Islam and over a billion Muslims around the world for the current attacks is misguided. Terrorism is always an attempt to hold the powers responsible for ones current economic and political situation. This is why terrorism is not limited to Muslims. Terrorism is global and is not only found within one race, religion or nation.

Terrorism + terrorism will never achieve peace. One must first lay their weapons down and fix the true sources of terrorism in order for peace to become a reality.