Explaining religious terrorism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Explaining religious terrorism - Research Paper Example The number of terrorist organizations and individuals involved and those willing to be involved in it have been on the rise. Various studies and observations have shown that terrorism is highly linked to religion. This explains why religious terrorism is considered to be the leading aspect of terrorism (Burke 40). Particularly, Islam has been associated with terrorism to a greater extent compared to other religions. This can be attributed to the argument that many of terrorism groups are comprised of people who subscribe to the Islamic religion, as well as led by leaders who subscribe to Islamic doctrine. There is a perception which was inspired by terrorist leaders such as Osama bin Laden that the entire Muslim world is international terrorism victim (Combs 65). In the modern world, terrorism in the name of religion has become the political violence’s predominant model (Perry and Howard 18). While this is the case, it should be noted that there are other models for political violence including ideology and nationalism which remain as potent catalysts for political violence and extremist behaviors. Nonetheless, religious extremism is predominantly the main issue for the global community in respect to terrorism and political violence (Martin 130). It has increased in frequency, global reach, and scale of violence in the modern era. This situation is simultaneous with the decline in secular terrorism. The vigorous and new infusion of religious extremism and sectarian ideologies has challenged the old ideologies of anti-colonial liberation, secular nationalism, and class conflict that were the basis for political violence. Extremist support in the grassroots level for religious support has been the most widespread particularly among popu lations living in repressive societies that do not allow expression of dissent or demand for reforms (Stern 94). Religious terrorism can be defined as a form of