TERRORISM AS A UNIVERSAL EVIL RATHER THAN A PRODUCT OF RELIGION

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Dishma-Inc.
P.O. Box 8885,
Kampala-Uganda
Tel. +256392614655/+256752542504
dishma.imhs@gmail.com
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

The definition of terrorism is subjective. It is commonly used to mean inhuman violent treatment against the other; it is about other people’s actions rather than personal. In Ugandan context, the relevant definition should be one targeting civilians, rather than the military.

Presently, the international community has been unable to formulate a universally agreed, legally binding, and criminal law definition of terrorism. For long religion has been associated to religions; and while evil is a religious concept, it is has either been made part of religion or hardly isolated and analyzed independently. In the midnight of July 11th, 2010 there were terror attacks in Ugandan capital –Kampala –in which 76 people were reportedly killed.

The expressions of terrorism as universal evil were very high at 90%, but like terrorism concept the definition of evil and who is evil or not evil is subjective. Any one can be evil or fall prey of it and cause terror.

But in religions the concept of evil can be guiding tool to defining religiosity. True religiosity attempts to eliminate evil. On the other hand, subjectivity involved in understanding evil person, tends to locate that definition in given social context rather than the universal one.

Failure to identify the universal evil as common enemy of humanity makes humanity defeat itself and be elevated to more vulnerable states of making evil ones among themselves as a basis of terrorism.

As already indicated today, the decisions that will be made decades to come will affect not only human civilization, but the fate of thousands of species –representing millions of years of evolution.

But men used religion to fight such evils through prayer and advocacy –even war. Terrorism cannot be universalized as an evil. While to some it is, to some others it means something good to do –as was showed by P=0.310 > 0.05.

At 54% no response to religious causes of terrorism, that cannot guarantee safety against terrorism, because perpetuators of terrorism are small groups, yet well organized to cause world problems –and for different reasons.

Religion is manipulated spirituality meant to serve interests of man to the worst or to the best of himself. Identifying region-mythical elements is essential to peace-building. In pursuant of patriotism, religions begin to scramble for dominion in the different spheres of a nation’s life for prestige among its followers and promoters. Religion is often used by nationalists to promote own ideologies and to support war.

The same is for 40% (overall expressions of lack of mutual respect among people of different ideologies). Determined groups, not matter the size, can ably cause chaos. Universalizing religion could be the aim for each sect.

While there can be numerous approaches to peace and happiness, such ought to be achieved –through the principle of universal love and universal peace –rather than infliction of pain on other to get that peace. Innovations should be geared towards that line.

Religions –wherever they went formed cultures and got mixed up to form new breeds of religion compatible to African way of life, South African way of life, South American way of life or Asian way of life and Arabia way of life (culture) be it Muslim religion, Christian religion, or Buddhist religion. Each adopted a section of societies traditions suited to the people they found –and through which it made ‘rightful’ meaning to them –yet carrying same universal message of love and peace.

On the other hand, religion provides recommended behavior to be truly belonging to it –for the right intentions of orderliness, harmony and peace. It is only unfortunate that man drags religion and God’s name for own selfish ends and accordingly justify them.

While religion has been used to support and to incite people into anarchy as was the case in Serbia, Yugoslavia, and Northern Ireland, indeed, it preaches peace. Religion has only suffered man’s greed, and has been used as opium to achieve his selfish interests. Many writers argue that Islam and terrorism are never bed fellows, and no religion has ever supported violence as its mission.

While it is impressive that 90% expressions showed universal evil as an explanation of terrorism, the concept of evil is used subjectively, rather than universally. And at subjective levels it builds mutual suspicion and mistrust –causing social disorder and disharmony –as the universal evil one stands (sin).

Religion, too, gets manipulated to suit the minds of people such that the outcomes look religious and appealing to some members of society. Mutual respect among religions can only mean peace when it is 99% minimum indication, not merely 60%.

The international community has a lot of task at its disposal to promote global unity, tolerance, and realize a common destiny –and obstacles to it as universal evil of entire world for humanity to relentlessly fight. There is need to investigate the economic underpinnings of terrorism.