First, to put the current terrorist threat in reasonable perspective to ongoing daily life risks, the terrorist threat is different but not of great significance. Most of the anxiety has to do with the news media hype. There have been several commercial passenger aircraft crashes this year due to mechanical problems, pilot error and weather. These crashes rate one to two day exposure on the news and are then replaced by other breaking news. When the news media talks about an aircraft downed by terrorists, it has to go back five or ten years generally to a crash in Scotland.
Second, opting for the benefits (promises, providing other conditions are met) of life after death, generally via suicide, the driving force is usually despair, fear or some other major negative life situation. The only persons generally opting voluntarily for death do so for religious and/or patriotic or to protect a loved one. Those that opt for death on religious grounds generally do so because of strong pressure from a highly regarded individual or group. An example of the former would be the Jim Jones group suicide in South America 15 or 20 years ago. An example of the latter would be the suicide bombers in Afghanistan.
Third, I think the major cause for concern in the present situation regarding terrorists, arises from our not being accustomed to such a threat. We do not get overly concerned about the 30,000 to 40,000 people killed in automobile accidents each year, are the large number of deaths due directly or indirectly to alcohol or tobacco. Given time, we will find the right level of action to put the terrorist danger in proper perspective. It is probably fortunate that we have serious doubts regarding the benefits of life after death, otherwise the suicide rate would be overwhelming.
I agree with the assessment of the terrorist threat; namely, that it is not as significant as the news media hype makes it out to be and that we need to find a proper perspective and right level of action. Further, however, I believe the same thing holds for the death-afterlife analysis; namely, having serious doubts regarding the benefits of life after death is not as significant a deterrent to suicide as the dramatic examples of Jim Jones and suicide bombers suggests and we need to find a proper perspective on that as well. Imbalanced focus on the negative side of a few extreme examples fails to see the positive value of faith in the hereafter and disregards many millions of people who have and do truly find courage, comfort and strength in distress, even unto death, from the precious hope of heaven granted to us in Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, terrorist activity is not fundamentally different from war in general. Both terrorists and American soldiers attack, kill and are killed. From what I understand, most terrorists and the American government both pursue clear goals that they believe in and are willing to die for. There is an authority figure/group organizing and leading the activities for both sides. The only difference I see is that a terrorist fully intends to die; while our military techniques, as far as I know, do not include suicide missions. I believe suicide is wrong, but I would still argue that the terrorist is essentially acting to effect a result in this world and is willing to die for that cause which is honorable. The American soldier fights for his cause and is willing to die for it and I think that is honorable too. I believe assessing the legitimacy or value of the destruction or death that results from war-like activity depends on the cause.
It seems unlikely to me to assume even the plainly religious terrorist suicides are motivated solely by an individual desire to get to the afterlife. Rather, I would guess that the zealot sincerely believes his activity in this world is truly bringing about a higher good, and that THAT is precisely why he will be rewarded for giving his life to accomplish it. Similarly, the community lead by Jim Jones also felt they were giving their lives for a cause that was worth it. There is an audio tape of that happening that concludes with Jones saying, “"We didn't commit suicide, we committed an act of revolutionary suicide protesting the conditions of an inhumane world." Thus, I don’t agree that the motivations here (that is, the conscious reasons in their minds) are/were despair, fear or other negative circumstances. Rather, I think these people were/are for the most part trying to stand for something they believe in which is commendable even though I do not agree with their cause or condone their methods.
The amazing thing to me in these situations is that it was/is the hopes of an after life that gives the courage and strength for action. Believing in an after life gives fortitude and higher purpose even though people choose what to apply that strength to and what will result from it… good or bad. Personally, for example, I have no doubts about the benefits of the after life nor do I have any inclination toward suicide because I believe God values me. Similarly, I believe it is indeed the hope of heaven that sustains and encourages countless millions of others who perhaps do not make the popular press to endure suffering, persevere in the face of persecution, and perhaps even give up their lives for the cause of Christ. There are many today who endure injustice, beatings, harassment and even death for good works and their testimony of Jesus. These results too are a product of The Blessed Hope that should not be overlooked! As Paul said,
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1Corinthians 15:17-19