Faith-based Terrorism: State and Retail by C. Kerr

The media has continually shown various forms of violence across the globe. Part of this violence includes faith-based terrorism.  This type of terrorism is a fundamental factor in the conflicts that are being carried out across the world.  From Islamic extremist states supporting terrorist acts to private organizations, such as the IRA and the Tamil Tigers, all have an element of faith foundations. Faith-based terrorism is so complex that modern day democracies are sometimes incapable of dealing with it effectively.

STATE

State forms of faith-based terrorism are continually being carried out in today’s society. Nations have supported other nations to carry out terrorist acts against common enemies, in and outside their borders.

For example,Syria has supported Hamas to attack British, American, and Israeli interests. Iran has also backed action against Israel and its allies. Support not only comes in forms of ideological unification, but also by providing state of the art military equipment, defense technologies as well as trade and economic arrangements.  Loyalties which cross international boundaries, as seen during the war in present day Iraq, is also another  exported support, and one that is not static. In contrast, during the Afghanistan / Soviet conflict, America indirectly supported the Taliban to defeat incoming Soviet forces, which became a thorn in America's side during the post 911 war in Afghanistan as US troops face US trained Taliban militants, whom NATO partners are now engaging in that theatre.

Islamic extremist doctrine is used by theocratic and sympathetic governments to support acts of terrorism against non Islamists. In addition, media influence is used as evidenced in the case of Al-Jazeera TV. This outlet has aired many terrorism videos that are viewed by a large Islamic community, worldwide, and cultivates a negative view of non-Muslims including secularists, modernists and various faith / worldviews. Pro American news outlets in Iraq carry out the same initiative as Al-Jazeera, though for the purpose of the American agenda. As seen, this applies both to eastern and western governments which have carried out parallel objectives under different world views for their own benefits.   What is observed as counterterrorism efforts by one group is interpreted as terrorism by the other as perspectives differ due to prevailing worldviews.,

RETAIL 

Retail forms of faith-based terrorism on the other hand consists mainly of self funded organizations and individuals. It is based on ideologies with the goal of political or economic gain and even world domination.  While the IRA are carrying out terroristic activities against supporters of Britain, running parallel are organizations such as environmental, ethnic and Islamic extremists, to name a few, in addition to private armies backed by the above. Retail terrorist organizations are not supported by governments and therefore have less adequate technology and equipment. In the case of Islamic extremism, there are support venues, used as fronts, such as community organizations and individuals who support financially the cause of global Jihad. Another example would be the Tamil Tigers who carry out their initiatives through self development ranging from community support (financial contributions, child soldiers, kidnappings, etc) to acquisition of weapons from sympathizers or on the battlefield. 

In some situations, retail terrorism has been an outlet for populations that feel oppressed. The Christian and Animists in Southern Sudan have resorted to defending themselves as their security and peace have been taken away by state sponsored extremist militants (Northern Sudan). In this case, retail terrorist activities are being used to carry out a defensive action against an oppressive state backed government. It must be remembered that in some cases retail terrorism has contributed to the development, or political change, of many states such as the USA, Israel, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Retail terrorism rests in the hearts and minds of the citizens, whereas state terrorism rests in the hearts and minds of political process.  

CONCLUSION 

It is important to know the difference in the above when dealing with faith groups, legislation and counter terrorism initiatives.  Faith-based terrorism falls under two main forms. One is that governments have utilized their own resources in order to carry out objectives against their common enemies – in and outside their borders – using religious convictions to excite the masses. Retail terrorism on the other hand is self developed. Individuals, businesses and community venues, who share a common worldview, are the main variables of support used to carry out terrorism against a government which has either oppressed or not met the needs of a segment of the population. When confronting either retail or state forms of terrorism, governments should be able to assess the key players and examine why faith is the root for acts of terror. One point to consider is that retail terrorism can become a state form as an end result. The Muslim Brotherhood accomplished this in Egypt as they started out as a retail terror organization under an academic, to becoming a leading political party in Egypt.

The perspective of terrorism can be seen differently depending on worldviews. Some see it as freedom fighting and others as terrorism. Regardless, faith-based terrorism – being the most dangerous of all types of terrorism – is a growing phenomenon in all aspects of conflicts. Faith issues should not be negated in the course of diplomatic affairs as this is a major driving force for the many terrorist activities in present day conflicts. Unfortunately many governments avoid and at worse are complacent about the root cause of the main terrorist threats of today.

C. Kerr hold a Degree in Religious Studies and is completing a BA in Political Studies.