11.4.1 Terrorism (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Terrorism

What is Terrorism?

• Terrorism is an act of violence which is intended to create fear

• A terrorist is anyone who plans or carries out such an act

• Terrorism is where an individual, or a group who share certain beliefs, use terror as part of their campaign to 
  further their cause

• Terrorist acts are often directed at civilians and because of this many consider them to be unlawful acts of war and violence

• The United Nations Security Council regards terrorist attacks as

• Terrorists believe that by killing people in this way, the rest of society will become more aware of their cause, will be scared of them and push the authorities into giving in to their demands

• Often terrorists claim that there are legitimate reasons for carrying out the attacks, such as they are fighting:

  • Against social and political injustice, where a group of people are being denied their human rights

  • Against poverty

  • To assert their religious beliefs, especially where they feel these are denied to them

• A terrorist may associate their cause with a religion, including Christianity and Islam, but no religion promotes terrorism

• Most religious people consider terrorist acts of violence to be wrong, especially as the victims are usually innocent people.

  • They prefer more peaceful ways of resolving issues

Examples of Terrorism

• There have been lots of examples of terrorist acts within recent history

• Some terrorist attacks have been large-scale attacks involving multiple terrorists and victims

  • In September 2001, members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda attacked several locations including the World Trade Centre in New York

• Some terrorist attacks have involved individuals working alone and with single victims

  • The MP Jo Cox was shot and killed by a lone gunman in June 2016

• Since the attacks of 11th September 2001 in New York and Washington, there have been several serious terrorist attacks, including attacks on London on 7th July 2005 (7/7), Paris on 13th November 2015 and the Ariane Grande concert in Manchester 2nd May 2017

• The Wieambilla shootings was a religiously motivated terrorist attack in Australia on 12 December 2022 and carried out by a Christian fundamentalist

• In 2011, a far right terrorist carried out Norway's worst terrorist attack leading to the deaths of 77 people

• On 7th July 2005, there were four suicide bombings in London that killed 52 people and injured over 700

  • Although the terrorists involved in those bombings attached themselves to Islam, most Muslims, including their religious and community leaders, condemned the attacks, and shared platforms with leaders of other faiths to show their solidarity against terrorism

  • Muslims do not agree with terrorism because terrorist acts of violence are considered to be wrong and against 
    the wishes of God, especially as the victims are usually innocent people

  • There is no justification for terrorist acts in the teachings of Islam

  • Islam is a religion of peace despite the actions of a very small minority of terrorists claiming to be Muslim