Terrorism

Last weekend I took part in a remembrance service. Forgive me if I've got the wrong approach to this, but as much as I know and respect that remembrance day is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of those killed in war, in the entire ceremony there wasn't one mention of the "enemy", the perpetrators, the people who killed the people we were giving thanks for...and that surprised me. The events of the weekend did get me thinking though, about the fact that its not just about World War I any more, as we speak our military is involved in a war on many fronts, in many countries, and there are deaths each day. War is no longer confined to soldiers fighting a battle of attrition on the battlefield. It affects everyone, innocent and helpless people too. I was thinking alot about the prominent place of terrorism in society today, the ever-present fear of this current style of "war".

Each month I get sent a magazine for christian youthworkers. In a recent issue, it said "terrorism has become such an emotive issue that its vital we avoid media distortions and understand it properly. That includes both knowing why people are doing these things and what is a biblical attitude to it all".

On 1st June 2001, Sa'id al-Houtari blew himself up at an Israeli nightclub, killing 21 people (mostly teenagers) and injuring 83 more. It was described as "one of the most murderous acts of terrorism perpetrated in the course of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his will, he said...

The real heroes are those who write the history of their nation with their blood, who build with their own bodies the glory and pride which reaches heaven, and who with their skulls build impregnable fortresses.

I hereby defiantly say to the world that bears a grudge against our people, that supports the Zionists with money and weapons, what was written before me in the blood of martyr Abdallah Azam: "If preparation for a jihad is terrorism, then we are terrorists. If defending our honour is extremism then we are extremists. If a jihad against our enemies is fundamentalism, then we are fundamentalists."

Although I believe both al-Houtari's motives and actions were wrong, part of me admires (up to a certain point) those who die for their beliefs. Certainly it is wrong to kill, regardless of the injustice you feel, but to what extent would we be prepared to defend our faith to? I learn alot from Paul, and the fact that through immense suffering he was joyful in the knowledge of the love of Jesus. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21)

On a completely different line of thought, the bit where he speaks about being terrorists or extremists or fundamentalists depending on what people wanted them to be...reminded me of Paul writing to the Corinthians, saying "To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings"

I think we can learn alot about how to react to hostility from Paul. In Romans 12:9-21 he speaks about how we should love and pray for the perpetrators of such acts. Verses 19-21 say that its not our place to judge or avenge people, but that God will do it. I was thinking about that alot recently with the whole Saddam Hussein thing. Romans 14:12-13 says "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Verse 21 of the previous passage tells us to "overcome evil with good"

The youthwork magazine goes on to say "Fear is a natural response to terrorism, but God doesn't intend us to live frightened, miserable lives". This reminded me of part of the remembrance service where the vicar read something called the act of commitment. Somewhere in there were the words "Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love" Thats it!! Love destroys fear!! Problem solved...terrorists play in the realm of fear; often great damage can be done to morale, business, tourism etc purely by people being scared. If we learn to love the perpetrators, that love will cast out all fear.

As I said at the beginning, I think we should remember (and pray for) not just the victims of war/terrorism, but also for the wider circle of people involved;

• the victims and those who have suffered terrible losses
• the terrorists, for the twisted priorities that lead them to orchestrate the whole thing
• the recruiters, those who are being drawn into violence. It was in the media recently that terrorists are being recruited from our schools
• the authorities (Police, military etc) that have to deal with it
• politicians, the UN
• the Church
• public
• media
• ourselves - that God will bring His peace to everyone as we live for His kingdom in a troubled and dangerous world.

Sorry for yet another rant!