When Religion Kills: How Extremists Justify Violence Through Faith

Description

Christian fundamentalists. Hindu nationalists. Islamic jihadists. Buddhist militants. Jewish extremists. Members of these and other religious groups have committed horrific acts of terrorist violence in recent decades. How is this possible? How do individuals use their religious beliefs to justify such actions? How do they manipulate the language and symbols of their faith to motivate others to commit violence in the name of the divine? Phil Gurski addresses these essential questions as he explores violent extremism across a broad range of the world's major religions. Cover Title page copyright Contents Ch1- Religion as a Springboard for Violence A Religious “Wave” of Terrorism? When You Are Convinced God Is on Your Side What Does Terrorism Mean? Religion Versus Religiosity Versus Identity What About Blasphemy? Is It Tied to Terrorism? Why Language Matters Structure of the Book Notes Ch2- Buddhist Extremism Buddhism Where Is Buddhism Practiced? Table 2.1 Largest Buddhist Populations Buddhist Extremism in Myanmar (Burma) Buddhist Extremism in Thailand Buddhist Extremism in Sri Lanka How “Buddhist” Is This Form of Extremism Overall? The Case of Aum Shinrikyo Efforts to Counter Buddhist Extremism Conclusions Notes Ch3- Christian Extremism A Brief Overview of Christianity Right-Wing Extremism The Links Between Christianity and the Far Right The Use of Christian Symbols by Extremist Groups Anti-Muslim Violence Anti-Jewish Violence Anti-Sikh Violence Anti-Abortion Violence The Case of Anders Breivik The Christchurch Terrorist Attacks The Poway Synagogue Shootings Christian Extremism in the Balkans The Identitarian Movement Christian-on-Christian Violence: Ukraine and Uganda Pre-Christian Extremist Violence? Christian Left-Wing Extremism What Does Christianity Say About Violence? How Christian Is This Form of Extremism? Efforts to Counter Christian Extremism Conclusions Notes Ch4- Hindu Extremism The Rise of Hindu Extremism in India “Cow Vigilantes” The Attempt to Counter “Love Jihad” Kashmir The 2018–2019 Assam Crisis “General” Islamophobia and Violence Anti-Christian Violence The Role of the Modi Government in Hindu Extremism How Hindu Is This Form of Extremism? Conclusions Notes Ch5- Islamic Extremism Terminology Islam What Is Jihad? A Plethora of Religious Targets Anti-Shiism Anti-Sufism Anti-Ahmadi Hatred Anti-Sikh Violence Denying Other Religions Saving Islam from Non-Islamic Rulers The Recovery of Former Muslim Lands How Islamic Is This Form of Extremism? Countering Islamic Extremism Conclusions Notes Ch6- Jewish Extremism Judaism The Concept of Amalekites and Other Enemies of the Jews The Creation of Israel and the Role Extremism Play Is Zionism an Extremist Movement? How the Haredim View Other Jews Jewish Extremist Acts The Role of the Netanyahu Government in Promoting Extremism What Does Judaism Say About Violence? How Jewish Is This Form of Violence? Countering Jewish Extremism Conclusions Notes Ch7- Sikh Extremism Sikhism Is Sikhism a “Warrior Cult”? What Is Khalistan, and What Role Does It Play in Extremism? Table 7.1 Sikh Extremists in India The Role of Gurdwaras in Spreading Extremism Recent Violent Acts by Sikh Extremists Sikh Extremism in Canada How Religious Is This Extremism? Countering Sikh Extremism Conclusions Notes Ch8- When Religion Kills Is Islamic Extremism an Outlier? How Important Is Religious Extremism? Notes Bibliography Index About the Book