Extremism

Spiritual Terrorism

Such a person uses no bombs or guns, beheads no one, sheds no blood, but the basic pattern of terrorism is there: my belief is the only true belief. I intend for you to act in accordance with my belief. If you do not, you are not in communion with God and are not a true believer. Such an approach shuts down any dialogue that might have been possible, elevates the speaker above the rest of the people in the meeting (as the true mouthpiece of God), and makes it difficult for anyone else to express a contrary idea.

Terrorism has become a buzz word. It is associated with Islamic fundamentalism, but can also be found in extreme forms of other ideologies, such as Irish republicanism or, yes, Christian fundamentalism. It is founded on the unshakable conviction that one’s belief or cause is irreproachable and infallible. From that conviction it becomes all too easy to judge others, to blame them, to scapegoat them, victimize them, ostracize them. All these become possible when I believe that “we” are right or “we” know absolute truth and therefore “they” are wrong or infidels or heretics or evil or the enemy.