11.4 Religion & Attitudes to Terrorism (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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- Front 11.4.1 Terrorism
Define terrorism.
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Cards in this collection (24)
Define terrorism.
An act of violence which is intended to create fear, used by an individual or group to further their cause.
Who is a terrorist?
Anyone who plans or carries out an act of terrorism.
Why are terrorist acts often considered unlawful acts of war?
Because they are often directed at civilians — the UN calls them 'criminal acts intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians... to intimidate a population'.
Why do terrorists carry out attacks?
To make society aware of their cause and scared, pushing authorities to give in to their demands — they may claim to fight injustice, poverty or for religious beliefs.
What is the relationship between religion and terrorism?
A terrorist may associate their cause with a religion, but no religion promotes terrorism — most religious people consider terrorist violence wrong as the victims are usually innocent.
Give an example of a large-scale terrorist attack.
In September 2001, Al-Qaeda attacked several locations including the World Trade Centre in New York.
Give an example of a lone-actor terrorist attack.
MP Jo Cox was shot and killed by a lone gunman in June 2016.
How did Muslims respond to the 7/7 London bombings of 2005?
Most Muslims, including religious and community leaders, condemned the attacks and shared platforms with other faiths to show solidarity against terrorism.
Give an example of a religiously or politically motivated non-Islamist terrorist attack.
The 2022 Wieambilla shootings in Australia (a Christian fundamentalist attack), or the 2011 Norway far-right attack that killed 77 people.
There is ______ justification for terrorist acts in the teachings of Islam — it is a religion of peace.
There is no justification for terrorist acts in the teachings of Islam — it is a religion of peace.
Why do Muslims not agree with terrorism?
Terrorist acts of violence are considered wrong and against the wishes of God, especially as the victims are usually innocent people.
True or False?
Terrorists always work in large organised groups.
False.
Some attacks involve large groups (e.g. Al-Qaeda), but others are carried out by individuals working alone (e.g. the killing of Jo Cox).
Why is terrorism hard to justify in Islam?
The Lesser Jihad never justifies killing innocent people; Muhammad (pbuh) said 'Do not kill women or children or non-combatants', and murder is haram.
Why is a suicide bombing against Islam?
Suicide is haram, so a suicide bomber goes against Islam by killing himself as well as harming innocent people.
How does the Muslim Council of Britain oppose terrorism?
It pays for adverts condemning attacks, works with the police on counter-terrorism, and runs events to educate the public about Islam.
Which commandment do Christians cite against terrorism?
'Do not kill' — terrorism involves killing, often of innocent people.
Which teaching of Jesus leads Christians to reject terrorism?
'Blessed are the Peacemakers' (Matthew 5:9) and 'love your enemies and pray for them' — Christians should seek peace, not destroy enemies.
How does the sanctity of life apply to terrorism for both faiths?
Both Christians and Muslims believe life is a sacred gift from God that should be protected, not thrown away — so terrorism is wrong.
Define Humanist (worldview).
A group who base their worldview and ethics on reason, experience and empathy rather than religious belief.
What is the Humanist view on terrorism?
It is fundamentally wrong to target civilians to achieve political, social or religious ends — 'the end can never justify the means'.
Besides religion, what other reasons can drive terrorism?
Social, political or economic reasons, or racial hatred — and opposing groups may label each other 'terrorist' to justify their own attacks.
Humanists believe 'the end can never justify the ______' when it comes to terrorising civilians.
Humanists believe 'the end can never justify the means' when it comes to terrorising civilians.
How do most religious people respond to claims that terrorism represents their religion?
They deny that those who commit terrorist acts represent their religion at all.
True or False?
Some Humanists argue that religion can encourage the fanatical beliefs behind terrorism.
True.
Some Humanists hold this view — though most religious people would deny that terrorists represent their faith.
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