Bridgewater Review

Volume 4 | Issue 3 Article 9

Jan-1987 Fanaticism, Fear and Faith Milton L. Boyle Jr. Bridgewater State College

Recommended Citation Boyle, Milton L. Jr. (1987). Fanaticism, Fear and Faith. Bridgewater Review, 4(3), 16-20. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/br_rev/vol4/iss3/9

This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Fanaticis1ll., Fear and Faith

Milton L. Boyle, Jr.

Friday, September 5, 1986: BEIRUT BOMB KILLS 3 FRENCH SOLDIERS IN UN PEACE FORCE (Boston Globe) Saturday, September 6,1986: AT LEAST 18 DIE, 127 WOUNDED AFTER JET HIJACKED IN PAKISTAN; Four gunmen opened fire on passengers (Boston Globe) Sunday, September 7, 1986: 22 KILLED IN TERROR ATTACK IN [ISTANBUL] SYNAGOGUE; Two 'suicide gunmen' die (Boston Herald) Monday, September 8,1986: TURKISH LEADER LINKS LEBANON WITH SLAYINGS (Boston Globe) Tuesday, September 9, 1986: UN FORCES FACING INCREASING ATTACKS IN SOUTH LEBANON (Boston Globe) Wednesday, September 10, 1986: TEACHER FROM MALDEN SEIZED IN WEST BEIRUT; Caller says Islamic group responsible (Boston Globe) Thursday, September 11, 1986: ISRAELI JETS RAID LEB 'ARMS DEPOT' ...AS GUNMEN KIDNAP ANOTHER (Boston Herald)

16 Religion appears not only to congeal but to divide; he above headlines taken from it draws people they consider it insignificant, too diffi­ two Boston newspapers in one with a common faith cult to understand, or, as they seem to Trecent week demonstrate that regard religion in general these days, of nearly every day the newspapers chroni­ together, but also sharply, little common interest. The Boston cle new acts ofterrorism, and the world and often. militantly, Globe, for example, responding to a quakes. People change, postpone, or rising curiosity about middle eastern cancel their travel plans, embassies sets them against others religions, recently published a series of double their security forces, officials who hold a different faith articles on "Islamic Revival" (March hire bodyguards and curtail their pub­ 2-6, 1986) with some interesting ac­ lic appearances, workers in foreign or point of view. companying supportive material but countries come home, and affected with scant reference to Islamic ter­ governments impotently threaten ven­ rorism. It is also easy to find scientific geance. And the terrorist, alive or dead, considerations of terrorism, (see "The grimaces in victory. Technology ofTerrorism," in Discover, Scholars search their books and June, 1986), but a perusal of even minds to discover the roots of ter­ tion, including religious motivation. religious periodicals reveals little that rorism, but have as yet failed even to Many will disagree with the use of the deals specifically with religion and ter­ agree on a definition of the word. word "innocent" and would include rorism as joint .ventures in human Terrorist actions are too varied in the military among the victims, as I will enterprise. scope and common denominators are here. In the past year or so, the Christian elusive. Responsibility may lie with There is another rather common Century, a liberal periodical noted for nations, ethnic, military or religious denominator. Terrorist groups and ac­ its interest in religion and public af­ groups, or individuals, and the variety tivities are almost always connected in fairs, has published only a handful of ofsuch activities is limited only by the some way or other with a religious articles which deal even peripherally outer parameters of the human capac­ faith. In Northern Ireland, we find with terrorism: "Tithing for Terror­ ity for cruelty. Victims range from the Catholics and Protestants pitted ism?" (May 8, 1985); "Terrorism and soldiers at war, soldiers trying to keep against each other. In the Middle East, Television" (July 3-10,1985); "Hijack the peace, businessmen, tourists, chil­ it is the Jew and the Muslim, or the Aftermath and Prospects for Peace" dren and mere passers-by. Research Christian and the Muslim, or the Sunni (October 30, 1985); "1985 Religious reveals only that there is always a Muslim and the Shi'ite Muslim. In the Newsmaker: The Shi'ite Fundamental­ burning cause: a real or imagined injus­ East, it is Buddhism and Christianity, ist" (January 1-8, 1986); "Qaddafi as tice, lust for power or greed. There is Hindus and Sikhs, and frequently, late­ Villian Fulfills Media Needs" (January also a desire to act so outrageously that arriving Islam against the more estab­ 29, 1986); "Libya Raid Undermines the "enemy" will be terrorized into lished religions of the area. Religion Morality and Security" (April 30, acceeding to the perpetrator's demands appears not only to congeal but to 1986), and one other, about which I and the whole world will be forced to divide; it draws people with a common will comment shortly. Careful reading take notice. faith together, but also sharply, and of these articles reveals virtually noth­ Some of the difficulty in defining often militantly, sets them against ing about the religious roots ofterror­ terrorism is that your definition de­ others who hold a different faith or ism. One reads the more conservative pends upon the side to which you point of view. Religion almost univer­ journals in vain; it is for them as though belong. Our President has noted, "One sally proclaims the brotherhood of the terrorist has no religious roots. In man's terrorist is another man's free­ man, yet seems to justify crimes of a fact one learns virtually nothing at all dom fighter." Only your enemies are most heinous nature, and from that about the causes of terrorism from terrorists! Yet, not all agree with this background, to contribute signifi­ these publications. assessment. In a recent book, Ter­ cantly to the enormity and ugliness of There is one searching and thought­ rorism: How the West Can Win, Benja­ those crimes. ful article in the April 9, 1986 issue of min Netanyahu says such an attitude is The religious factor in terrorism, the Christian Century, written by playing into the hands ofthe terrorist. however, seems strangely ignored. Robert L. Phillips, director of the He advocates universal adoption ofthe While there is a plethora ofarticles on Program for War and Ethics at the definition formulated by the first con­ the hows and whys of terrorism, sur­ University ofConnecticut at Hartford. ference on terrorism sponsored by the prisingly little is written about its reli­ Entitled, "The Roots of Terrorism," Jonathan Natanyahu research founda­ gious aspects, including possible reli­ the article discusses the intellectual or tion in Jerusalem in 1979: "Terrorism gious roots. It is not difficult to under­ philosophical roots of terrorism is the deliberate and systematic mur­ stand why religious leaders themselves "which, ironically, are peculiarly West­ der, maiming and menacing of the are reluctant to publicize this apparent­ ern: popular sovereignty, self-determi­ innocent to inspire fear for political ly sordid and embarrassing side of nation and ethical consequentialism." ends." Note especially the word "politi­ religion, but journalists also largely Dr. Phillips explains that popular sover­ cal" which eliminates other motiva- pass it over. Perhaps that is because eignty is belief that all people in a

17 Fanaticism continued

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, and we make nation comprise the state, are thus possessions are destroyed Uoshua 6: 15­ equally responsible for the acts of that a serious mistake 19, e.g.). After the destruction of the state, and are, therefore, legitimate ifwe treat it as such. Midianite army, its "sons and women" targets of its enemies, including, of were slaughtered, but its virgins were course, terrorists. The philosophy of It is probably as old taken by Israelite conquerors for them­ self-determination dictates that every as man'himself. selves (Numbers 31). The Judge, religious and ethnic group has a right to Gideon, "killed the men of Succoth its own state; ethical consequentialism with thorns and briars" Uudges 8: 13­ avers that "just war" may be fought to 16). And Sampson, in true terrorist insure that right. The author notes that fashion, kills himselfwith his Philistine there is religious support for this last enemies as, blinded, he pulls down the tenet: pillars of the temple and the building Friendship with God is closely collapses upon them Uudges 16:25-30). linked to walking the path of More outrageous acts of terrorism justice; it is understood that to are to be found in Exodus 1:22 where damage any basic human value is whether there are some common princi­ Pharaoh decrees the death by drowning to attack the very source ofvalue ples here which could be extended to ofall male Hebrew babies, in Matthew and being. What Plato under­ cover other religious traditions to 2: 16 where Herod orders the slaughter stood to be the consequence of which terorist activity may be linked. of innocent boys, two years old and injustice -- self-destruction -- the Terrorism is not a new phenome­ younger, in and around Bethlehem, Judeo-Christian tradition under­ non, and we make a serious mistake if and in Exodus 12:29-30, the Passover stands as the cutting off of one­ we treat it as such. It is probably as old event: self from the very source of be­ as man himself. Ancient religious litera­ At midnight the Lord struck ing. It follows that one may do ture chronicles the use of fear often down all the first born in Egypt, evil to accomplish ultimate good; against the innocent, to accomplish the from the firstborn of Pharaoh, the end justifies the means. ends ofthe religious fanatic. It may be who sat on the throne, to the Dr. Phillips' article barely touches difficult for the faithful to accept, but firstborn ofthe prisoner who was on the religious facets ofterrorism, and the Bible recounts numerous terrorist in the dungeon, and the firstborn while it is not always easy to tell where events, some of which are perpetrated of all the livestock as well. Pha­ philosophy ends and religion begins by its heroes, not only by its enemies. raoh and all his officials and all (or vice-versa), his emphasis is on the (One man's terrorist is another man's the Egyptians got up during the intellectual rather than the spiritual. freedom fighter!) The classical use of night, and there was loud wailing But the terrorist is not generally an terrorism is found among the Assyri­ in Egypt, for there was not a intellectual. He is a feeling, reacting ans whose cruelty was apparently un­ house without someone dead. human being totally committed to his matched in the ancient world. Cap­ In terror, Pharaoh releases the Israel­ cause. He burns with a ferocious desire tured enemies were impaled, drawn ites, and they begin their journey to accomplish his goals and is willing to and quartered, and beheaded in large through the Wilderness to the Prom­ use any means at his disposal, from a numbers. Shalmanezer III boasts of ised Land. plastic toy gun to the most sophisti­ burning young boys and girls alive and To the modern Israeli, who rails cated plastic bomb. He is willing, some­ thousands were hideously mutilated by against Arab terrorism, the Arab times eager, to die in the attempt. Such his order. The idea was to so terrify points out the terrorist activities of is more characteristic of religious man Assyria's enemies that they would Jewish "gangs" in the difficult years than intellectual man. The terrorist is a simply lay down their arms and submit before the partition of Palestine in fanatic, using fear as his major weapon, to the approaching army in the hope of 1947. Still, it is the Arab who predomi­ often justifying his actions by his faith. avoiding Assyrian wrath. So successful nates in the media as the perpetrator of In the following, the word terrorism were they that when the Assyrian capi­ current terrorism. To the major reli­ will include acts of extreme violence tal, Ninevah, fell the whole world re­ gion of the Arab, Islam, I would now against both the military and the "inno­ joiced. (See the Book of Nahum which turn in search for understanding. cent" non-military. A major aim of is written in celebration of the event.) The foundation of the religion of such activity is seen as the terrorizing of The Israelites, themselves, use fear Islam is the Qur'an. Dictated by Allah the enemy to force submission and to tactics to frighten their enemies into through the angel Gabriel to the Proph­ awaken the world at-large to the terror­ submission. In many battles, every et, Muhammad, Muslims believe it to ists' cause. Examples are taken from man, woman, and child is slaughtered be co-eternal with Allah, a precise copy Judeo-Christian and Islamic sources regardless of their guilt or innocence. of the heavenly original. The Qur'an and would surely apply to cases where The law of herem, a biblical law of plus the life and lore ofthe Prophet are terrorists are closely allied to one of proscription, is invoked on captured determinative ofMuslim activities, and these traditions. Further research cities so that their inhabitants are total­ thus provide justification for Islamic would be necessary to determine ly annihilated, and even livestock and terrorism. Islamic law is, by Judeo- 18 Christian standards, harsh and unre­ lenting toward the unbeliever. The medieval cry of"death to the infidel" is fully expressive ofthe belief that those who refuse to accept the teachings of Muhammad are better off dead than continuing in their unbelief. The Qur'an teaches that gentle persuasion, economic and social sanctions are all to The Qur'an, Sura ix, vv 20-22, innocent people should be kidnapped be tried on the unbeliever, butMuham­ promises: and held for ransom and that whole mad's actions indicate that when all Those who believe, and suffer nations should thus be held at bay. The else fails, the killing ofthe unbeliever is exile andstrive(Arabic"jihad")with effectiveness of these tactics cannot be fully warranted. might and main, in God's cause, denied, but their immorality seems Fight in the cause of God those With their goods and their per­ beyond human comprehension. Kid­ who fight you, But do not trans­ sons, have the highest rank in the napping in the West is usually punish­ gress limits; For God loveth not sight ofGod: They are the people able by death since it is regarded as the transgressors. And slay them who will achieve (salvation). equivalent ofthe very taking ofhuman wherever ye catch them, And The Lord doth give them glad life. In fact, the suffering caused loved then turn them out from where tidings ofa mercy from Himself, ones may be even more agonizing than they have Turned you out; for of his good pleasure, And of killing. In the Middle East hostages tumult and oppression are worse gardens for them, wherein are were taken forcibly, or sometimes giv­ than slaughter....; But if they delights that endure: en voluntarily to secure a pledge, to be fight you, slay them. Such is the They will dwell therein forever. redeemed when the pledge was paid. reward of those who suppress Verily in God's presence is a Muhammad often used this method of faith. reward, the greatest (of all). coercion against his enemies; hostages Sura ii, vv. 190, 191. The key to winning the favor ofGod were given and taken to assure that Thus, Muhammad's policy, and that and ofgaining eternal bliss near God in word would be kept, or they were followed by succeeding caliphs, was paradise is "jihad," striving. The faith­ traded off for favors or concessions. one of death and annihilation of the ful strive both for God (see quote A similar example from our own infidel enemy, but when the enemy above) and against God's enemies: traditions is found in Genesis 42 and converted to the Faith, they were no Therefore listen not to the unbe­ 43 in the story of Joseph. Joseph's longer fair prey. Quickly, as the Islamic lievers, but strive against them brothers are forced by famine to go to horde rolled onward through the Mid­ with the utmost Strenuousness... Egypt to buy grain. There they are met dle East, foes and potential foes Sura, xxv, V.52 by the brother whom they have sold adopted Islam and saved their lives. It is in this latter sense thatJihad has into slavery, though they do not know Part of the reason for the great and come to mean "holy war" although him, and he accuses them of spying. rapid spread ofthe Muslim empire was this is not its root meaning, and the When they deny the charges Joseph that they had to reach ever further into orthodox Muslim scholar generally re­ tells them that the only way they can the frontier to find legal prey -- the jects that meaning. Still, it is the cry and prove their innocence is for them to unbeliever. motivation of those who fight (strive) return home and bring their youngest In 627, an incident occurred which against overwhelming odds, with little brother, Benjamin, their father's favor­ struck terror in the hearts of Muham­ concern for death, against those whom ite, back with them. In the meantime, mad's enemies -- the massacre of the they perceive to be the enemies ofGod. they must leave brother Simeon with Jewish tribe of Qurayzah. Before this We have read of the hundreds of Joseph in Egypt as hostage, as security incident, Muhammad had been willing largely unarmed Iranian boys who have for their pledge. The desperate plight to exileJews from the land he had taken charged superior Iraqi forces and who of the brothers, and their honesty, is from them, and even willing to allow have died believing that the glories of demonstrated when they do, indeed, them some income from its produce, Muslim Paradise would at once be bring Benjamin with them to Egypt. but at Qurayzah the policy changed. theirs. This is the same religious spirit The hostage is redeemed. Then, and Since they would not convert to the of the terrorist who drives his truck only then, can reconciliation occur. Islamic faith, the maleJews (reportedly laden with explosives into an ambassa­ Thus, hostage-taking and redemp­ 600 ofthem) were beheaded in a single dorial compound to die with his vic­ tion was well understood by the people day; all the women and children were tims, or who willingly dies on a com­ of biblical times, though its meaning sold into slavery. Arab-Jewish enmity mandeered airplane held hostage with has been lost on the West: soJob outof has a long history. Perhaps the fear its passengers. his misery cries, "I know that my engendered among the unbelievers by The taking of hostages, a common Redeemer lives," (19:25) and the this event made future Islamic victories terrorist practice, has horrified the Psalmist prays, "Let the words of. my come more easily. West. It seems unconscionable that mouth and the meditation of my heart 19 Fanaticism continued

be acceptable in thy sight, 0 Lord, my Allah cannot be defeated. The most He is not only justified in this rock and my redeemer," (r9:r4). In massive military might ofman is impo­ action, his religion demands it, and fact, the whole theme ofChrist's sacri­ tent against the power of God. he rightly seeks the glorious heaven­ fice revolves around the same idea. I expect enough ofa foundation may ly rewards promised him. Man was held hostage by his own have been laid now so that we may Those who study terrorism must sinfulness, unable to free himself from draw some conclusions regarding the more thoroughly consider the role reli­ this bondage. God himself must pay relationship of terrorism to religious gion plays in terrorist activity. To the price of redemption, nothing less faith. Accordingly, I should like to concentrate on political motives, as than his first-born son. So the Chris­ make these observations: Benjamin Natanyahu's definition cited tian sings, 1. The terrorist does not usually take above would require, is quite inade­ Up Calvary's mountain one his root cause in his faith. He is not quate. Thesame can be said ofeconom­ dreadful morn, primarily seeking to convert the ic, scientific or psychological studies. Walked Christ my Saviour unbeliever, but to coerce the enemy All of them must be included, but so weary and worn; to meet his demands, be they for must religion. This may be the most Facing for sinners death on the territory or for the release of pris­ difficult study ofall, for religion encom­ cross, oners or hostages, or for money, or passes all the others and is inextricably That he might save them from in a few cases for love. The terrorist interwoven among them. Yet, if the endless loss. is a fanatic about at least this one world is ever to sigh its relief at the Blessed Redeemer! Precious issue. For him any action that makes demise ofterrorism, it must first under­ Redeemer! the world notice him and his need is stand its religious roots. Seems now I see Him on justified, and if it takes a crime of Calvary's tree; inhuman proportions to gain his Wounded and bleeding, for end, so be it. sinners pleading, 2. There can be no doubt that religion Blind and unheeding, dying for can be and is used to justify terrorist me! activity. It is difficult, perhaps im­ A group of terrorists calling them­ possible, for us to know the mind of selves "Islamic Jihad" have captured the terrorist to determine whether and are holding, at this writing, several he really believes his faith's teach­ American citizens. In their name they ings and truly acts in the name ofhis declare themselves religiously ori­ god, or whether he uses the names ented, and justify their actions as appro­ and trappings of his faith to gain priate to holy war, just as their founder favor with and support from his justified his actions. In the cause of peers, or perhaps for both reasons. God, there are no rules, for God, as the Did Islamic Jihad choose that name author of law, is beyond the law and because its members are true be­ those who act in his name are exoner­ lievers in Allah and faithful fol­ ated from criminal charges. They lowers of the Prophet? Or did they would simply point to Muhammad's take that name because they seek the attack on Meccan caravans during sa­ support of the Muslims amongst cred months when caravans travelled whom they live? Their motives, if without military guards. It was unthink­ solely political, would appear to able that anyone should attack them on derive more from the latter than the holy days, but Muhammad in God's former! service was not bound by the law. So 3. Religion and social practices are the Ayatollah Khomeini was unbound mutually dependent, and we cannot by the law when he held American always tell whether religion hallows hostages for 444 days. And the righ­ traditional social activity or gives Milton L. Boyle, Jr., is Professor ofPhiloso­ teousness ofhis actions was proven by rise to that activity. Hostage-taking, phy and Religious Studies. He holds the their success. How could a tiny and for instance, was practiced long be­ A.B. Degree from Harvard College with a weak nation hold the strongest nation fore the advent of Muhammad, but major in Biology, the Master of Divinity on earth at bay for more than a year Muhammad sanctified it when he Degree from Andover Newton Theology School with majors in Old Testament and unless their actions be blessed by their took his first hostage -- a holy man Historical Theology, and the Ph.D. in Old God? The Ayatollah gained enormous can only perform a holy deed. Thus, Testament Studies at Boston University. strength and prestige throughout the we cannot say that religion causes a His interests in religion and The Bible have Islamic world because he proved once particular type of activity, but in been served by travel and archaeological again, as the Arabs had in the 7th and later times it makes little difference work in the Middle East. 8th centuries, that those on the side of to the faithful one which came first. 20