What makes a terrorist?

[Chickpea]

Chickpea, I believe yes, you are correct that suicide bombers probably do not fit the psychological profile of most terrorists. I think they feel like soldiers of war, or acting appropriately to their religious beliefs, and that their act is a heroic one. I suppose similarly to the way a US soldier feels when they are are forced to use violence in war to protect their country, minus the hopelessness.

I would like to add that I took some interest this thread because post 9/11 I was consumed with anger watching my friends and neighbors family members perish. I did do some research on this subject to quell my anger and gain a better understanding of other cultures and religions, particularly Islam.
I learned years ago that trying to neatly package what makes a "terrorist" just can not be done, but I do believe that if people do stop just briefly to think about what motivates others, whether it be good or bad, we would have a lot less strife in this world as a whole.

On that note, I will be bowing out of this thread permanently for personal reasons, but I am glad to see it discussed so perhaps more people will gain a better perspective of what could be possible root causes or catalysts, or whatever word is being used now.

Hi Mango,
I for one, will be sad to see you leave this debate as your contributions have been such a welcome voice of reason. But I will certainly respect your desire.

You mention feeling many things post 911 - I think many many people were touched by the horror of that day in so many different ways. I had a wonderful lebanese christian friend who had been engaged to one of my best friends (turkish and muslim) who was in the first plane from Boston to LA (that Atta drove into the WTC) - he was a truely gifted young man (like countless others who perished that day!) but was what particularly poignant for me was that he had spent so much of his time and energy and resources in his life to trying, through education, to blurr the often divisive lines of religion. I have wondered so many times if he realized he was going to die that day, whether he tried talking in arabic to, to reason with, the suicide bombers on that plane?????? Whether he realized that probably any type of conversation would be futile so enraged were they??? We will never know.

FWIW, I applaud you taking the time to try gain an understanding of Islam -there are so many wonderful and enlightened measures and generosity of mind, wealth and heart that is preached in the Koran but unfortunately it has been hijacked by the fringes and the truely moderate voices who deplore what is happening are either not speaking loud enough or are being drowned out by the hateful rhetoric of the more vocal so called believers.

See you on another thread and have a great week.

 

[Chickpea]

Goodbye from this thread, Mango. Thanks for your insight...

Now we're getting to the essence of the problem. Your empathy for the terrorist as a human being with a twisted mind, reminds me of Jesus praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The problem with terrorist thinking is a kind of delusion or spiritual ignorance, both individual & collective.

Misguided values are in every culture, but in extremely sectarian sub-cultures, it can lead to insane levels of violence. So direct defense is sometimes needed, but that is not the main solution to the underlying problem.

Part of the larger solution is to help uplift the outlook of the surrounding cultures, so that their support for the terrorists dries up. Humanitarian actions around the world, preventing needless wars, & respecting other cultures would all show the whole world that we are not the enemy. We should uplift the world by our friendship.

I agree with you and it may be that we will never truely understand what enrages one so much that this is their preferred way of communicating their anger and disillusionment with the world BUT a first step, IMHO, would be to as you state, helping to uplift and educate the minds of the surrounding cultures so that all potential support (whether moral,financial, etc..) for their actions dwindle and hopefully disappear.

BUT the most helpful measure in my mind would be to address the root causes of their real and/or perceived disenfranchisement. Anything less than that is a band aid or is analagous of a fat man or woman loosening to belt to eat more - does nothing to help the problem even if it does offer temporary relief!

 

[Chickpea]

One last point (that I have made in the past) before I sign off - I rarely, if ever feel empathy for the hatred suicide bombers spew - but what I do feel tremendous empathy for in some cases, are the squalid and deplorable conditions that some are forced to live with and under. Big difference.

 

[Smiling JOe]

While it is not what makes a terrorist, I see an absence of civil communication
as playing a small roll, sometimes leading to terrorism. Not only that, but I see it also wrecking relationships between spouses, parents and children, employer and employee, neighbors, states, and countries. (This is the point where 6thGen tells me to go sit down with someone who wants to slice off my head.) Communication needs to flow in both directions, and it involves more listening and understanding, than talking. I think it is easy to see the importance of communication, and do not think that it is a root cause, which if changed, will change the course of terrorism, but I do think the lack of effective civil communication presents a problem in all aspects of life.

I think all elected officials in this country should be required to take some courses in communication skills before stepping foot into their office.

 

[Chickpea]

While it is not what makes a terrorist, I see an absence of civil communication
as playing a small roll, sometimes leading to terrorism. Not only that, but I see it also wrecking relationships between spouses, parents and children, employer and employee, neighbors, states, and countries. (This is the point where 6thGen tells me to go sit down with someone who wants to slice off my head.) Communication needs to flow in both directions, and it involves more listening and understanding, than talking. I think it is easy to see the importance of communication, and do not think that it is a root cause, which if changed, will change the course of terrorism, but I do think the lack of effective civil communication presents a problem in all aspects of life.

I think all elected officials in this country should be required to take some courses in communication skills before stepping foot into their office.

Very well put!

 

[beclareesq]

Quite the provocative thread. Desperation and subjective legitimacy of cause are, I believe, the foundations for terrorism. If leverage in the dispute could be achieved through means that did not include suicide or indiscriminate violence, then they would be employed. But, when all else fails to achieve the leverage, then, history has shown that "honorable warfare" gives way to the intellectual and moral defense of "anything goes".

If our country were being invaded I would hope that we would never simply capitulate to subjugation. I would hope that we would make the lives of the invaders so uncomfortable that they would choose to leave us alone.

Who is "invading" Islam? How? And, do we wish to continue? Is it truly our core beliefs rubbing up against theirs, or is it our support of Israel? Our political decisions to protect our access to oil?

Before we as humans can judge which side is ultimately "legitimate" we have to fully understand the conflict from both sides. I know I don't and there is very little national debate about it because if you even ask the question in some circles you are a treasonous coward liberal advocating therapy for the terrorists.

 

[Chickpea]

Before we as humans can judge which side is ultimately "legitimate" we have to fully understand the conflict from both sides. I know I don't and there is very little national debate about it because if you even ask the question in some circles you are a treasonous coward liberal advocating therapy for the terrorists.

Beclareesq,
Keep asking the questions and do not let anyone accuse you of being either in bed with the terrorists or of being unpatriotic just because you are inquisitive and not apt to blindly accept the "it is us against them - they hate us for our freedoms" dribble that some pundits actually believe.

What is wonderful is that in this day and age of internet technology, bloggers, books, etc.. it is relatively easy to get both sides of a story and start informing yourself on those topics that interest you.

 

[SON]

Freedom fighter
Resistance fighter
Terrorist
Patriot
Hero
Devil

Words on paper waiting for a willing partner

Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix


MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY BODY ALL APART

MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY BODY ALL APART

EVIL MAN MAKE ME KILL YA
EVIL MAN MAKE YOU KILL ME
EVIL MAN MAKE ME KILL YOU
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ONLY FAMILIES APART

WELL I PICK UP MY AXE AND FIGHT LIKe A BOMBER
(YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN)
HEY AND YOUR BULLETS KEEP KNOCKING ME DOWN

HEY I PICK UP MY AXE AND FIGHT LIKE A BOMBER NOW
YEAH BUT YOU STILL BLAST ME DOWN TO THE GROUND

THE SAME WAY YOU SHOOT ME DOWN BABY
YOU'LL BE GOING JUST THE SAME
THREE TIMES THE PAIN
AND YOUR OWN SELF TO BLAME
HEY MACHINE GUN

OOOOOOOOOO

I AIN'T AFRAID OF YOUR MESS NO MORE, BABE
I AIN'T AFRAID NO MORE
AFTER A WHILE YOUR YOUR CHEAP TALK DON'T EVERN CAUSE ME PAIN
SO LET YOUR BULLETS FLY LIKE RAIN

'CAUSE I KNOW ALL THE TIME YOU'RE WRONG BABY
AND YOU'LL BE GOIN' JUST THE SAME
YEAH MACHINE GUN
TEARING MY FAMILY APART
YEAH YEAH ALRIGHT
TEARING MY FAMILY APART

DON'T YOU SHOOT HIM DOWN
HE'S ABOUT TO LEAVE HERE
DON'T YOU SHOOT HIM DOWN
HE'S GOT TO STAY HERE
HE AIN'T GOING NOWHERE
HE'S BEEN SHOT DOWN TO THE GROUND
OH WHERE HE CAN'T SURVIVE NO NO