Terrorism (AQA GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Biblical and Catholic perspectives on terrorism

What is terrorism?

• Terrorism is an act of violence that is intended to create fear

  • An individual or group holding certain beliefs may use terror as part of their campaign to further their cause

• A terrorist is anyone who plans or carries out such an act

• Terrorist acts are often directed at civilians 

• The United Nations Security Council regards terrorist attacks as

• Terrorists believe that by killing people in this way, the rest of society will:

  • Become more aware of their cause

  • Be scared of them 

  • Push the authorities into giving in to their demands

• Often, terrorists claim that there are legitimate reasons for carrying out the attacks, including fighting:

  • Social and political injustice, where a group of people are being denied their human rights

  • Against poverty

  • To assert their religious beliefs, especially where they feel these are denied to them

• A terrorist may associate their cause with a religion, including Christianity and Islam, but no religion promotes terrorism

• Most religious people consider terrorist acts of violence to be wrong, especially as the victims are usually innocent people

  • They prefer more peaceful ways of resolving issues

Examples of terrorism

• There have been lots of examples of terrorist acts within recent history

• Some terrorist attacks have been large-scale attacks involving multiple terrorists and victims

  • In September 2001, members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda attacked several locations, including the World Trade Centre in New York

• Some terrorist attacks have involved individuals working alone and with a single victim

  • The MP Jo Cox was shot and killed by a lone gunman in June 2016

• Since the 11th September 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, several serious terrorist attacks have occurred, including:

  • The Wieambilla shootings in Australia,12th December 2022 

  • The 2011 attacks in Norway

  • The 2019 Christchurch shootings

  • The London attacks, 7th July 2005 (7/7)

  • The Paris attacks, 13th November 2015

  • The Ariana Grande concert attacks in Manchester, 2nd May 2017

• These attacks were carried out by a range of individuals and groups who have fundamentalist or extremist views

What are the Biblical and Catholic perspectives on terrorism?

• The Bible strongly rejects violence against innocent people

• This is based upon the teachings of Jesus, who taught love, peace and forgiveness, even towards enemies

• Violence against civilians, which includes terrorism, goes directly against Jesus’s teachings

• There are many biblical quotes that support this view and can be applied to terrorism

  • The Bible teaches Christians to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44)

    • The response to enemies should be love rather than violence

  • Jesus also declared that “blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9)

    • Those who aim for peace rather than violence are considered blessed by God

  • The Bible also instructs Christians to “put your sword back in its place” (Matthew 26:52)

    • It is wrong to use violence towards those who are your enemies

  • The sanctity of life is also very important to Christians and is taught in the Bible

    • All human life is sacred

    • Killing innocent people is always morally wrong

    • Terrorism deliberately targets innocents, so it cannot be justified

• Catholics believe that terrorism is always wrong because the Catholic Church teaches that:

  • Terrorism is never justified

  • Violence in the name of religion is a serious sin

  • Terrorism goes against God’s law and human dignity

• Catholics believe that terrorism:

  • Breaks the commandment “Do not kill”

  • Creates fear and suffering

  • Cannot bring true justice or peace

• The Church strongly rejects any claim that terrorism is religiously justified, arguing that terrorists often misuse religious teachings

Catholic views on torture

What is torture?

• Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe physical or mental pain to:

  • Punish someone

  • Get information from them

  • To intimidate or control people

• It is often used against prisoners or people who are suspected of a crime

What are Catholic views on torture?

• Torturing people is not accepted by Christians

  • This is because they believe that all humans are created by God and should be treated fairly

  • Also, Jesus told people to “treat others as you wish to be treated” (Mark 7:12). This is known as the Golden Rule

• Some Christians may accept the use of torture if it is for the greater good, helping many others in the process

  • Some Christians may consider torture as acceptable; in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus tells of a servant who is punished by his master

• The Catholic Church teaches that torture is intrinsically evil

• They believe that it is never justified, even in war or emergencies

  • As it violates human dignity and the sanctity of life

  • All Catholics believe that human life is sacred and must always be respected

• Catholics believe that torture does not lead to true justice

  • They believe this because it can produce false confessions

  • It also dehumanises both the victim and the torturer

  • They believe instead that justice should be based on law, fair trials and respect for human rights

Catholic views on radicalisation and martyrdom

What are Catholic views on radicalisation?

• Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support or use extreme views or violence

  • They often believe it is morally or religiously justified

• The Catholic Church strongly rejects radicalisation, especially when it leads to violence

  • Violence carried out in the name of religion is seen as a misuse of faith

  • Catholics believe religion should promote peace, love and reconciliation, not hatred or extremism

• These Catholic views are based on the Bible, which teaches that:

  • Christians must love others, including enemies

  • Violence and hatred go against Jesus’s message

  • Radicalisation contradicts Jesus’s teachings because it encourages division, hatred and harm

    • Therefore, radicalisation and the promotion of violence would be considered wrong

• Catholics believe the best responses to radicalisation involve:

  • Advancing education and encouraging dialogue

  • Promoting understanding between religions

  • Tackling causes such as injustice, poverty and discrimination

  • Supporting peace and community cohesion

What are Catholic views on martyrdom?

• Martyrdom occurs when a person is killed because of their religious beliefs, without having used violence themselves

  • Martyrdom is respected and honoured in Catholic Christianity

  • Martyrs are seen as witnesses to faith and examples of courage and loyalty to God

  • Martyrs do not seek death and do not harm others

• There is a biblical basis for a belief in martyrdom

  • Jesus accepted suffering and death without violence

  • Early Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith

Different perspectives on terrorism

What are the different perspectives on terrorism?

• Catholics believe terrorism is always morally wrong because it deliberately targets innocent people and goes against the sanctity of life

  • The Catholic Church teaches that violence in the name of religion is a misuse of faith and that God never justifies terror or hatred

• Terrorism can never meet the conditions of just war theory because it:

  • Targets civilians

  • Uses disproportionate violence

  • Is not a last resort

  • Is not authorised by a legitimate authority

• The Bible is clear about preserving and valuing life

  • Therefore, terrorism is never justified, even for a good cause

• Some extremists believe terrorism is justified to defend their religion or to achieve religious or political goals

  • Catholics believe that this is a distortion of religion

  • They would argue that no religious goal can justify killing innocent people

  • Most religious believers strongly reject extremism

• Some terrorists are motivated by political power, national identity or opposition to governments

  • Religion may be used as a tool, not the real cause

• The Catholic view is that even political injustice does not justify terrorism

  • Justice must be achieved through peaceful and lawful means

• Someone who follows utilitarianism may argue that, in some situations, terrorism could be justified

  • This is because the view focuses on outcomes, not actions

  • If the outcome achieves freedom or brings about positive change, some may say terrorism is justified

• The Catholic response would be that doing evil can never be justified by good outcomes

  • Terrorism causes long-term fear, suffering and injustice