What gives rise to TERRORISM?

The debate of what gives rise to terrorism is not something about which you and I are not aware of. It is just that we are too busy thinking why there are terror attacks, and what do they want? But the basic question still remains unanswered, that is; why does a normal human being choose an inhuman way to make his point?

I would say there is not just one factor or just one reason which causes the rise of a terrorist; it is not like science that we can say that a particular toxin has caused a certain disease in a body. I would like to categorize my question into two parts, one- what are the motivating factors for a person to choose violence as a way? And two- what are the favorable conditions for the rise of terrorism.

What are the motivating factors?

Social and political injustice: People choose terrorism when they are trying to correct what they perceive to be a social or political or historical wrong—when they have been stripped of their land or rights, or denied these.

The belief that violence or its threat will be effective, and usher in change. Another way of saying this is: the belief that violent means justify the ends. Many terrorists in history said sincerely that they chose violence after long deliberation, because they felt they had no choice.

We will never realize until we face it personally, it is relatively easier to have a drawing room discussion which will not make a change; it is just our way of proving that we are sensible and educated. But we do not realize that many of the terrorists are well educated. There are incidents when a person is denied of his basic rights like food and water. Then there are incidents when exploitation has resulted in person to take up the violent way. You and I can sit and say that there are better ways to achieve the rights, but what can a helpless poor person do when corruption, social inequality and the huge difference between the rich and the poor; have bound him. There are only two ways for such a person, one that he/she commits suicide and other take up violence and achieve the rights which he/she deserves. It is just like a balloon, you keep pumping air and at one point of time it will burst unable to take it anymore.

Not everybody can be Jesus Christ or Mahatma Gandhi. It is a general human nature to react in a violent way when the most basic rights are denied.

This is my answer to the first part of the question, the second being what are the conditions in which terrorism develops?

Sometimes these conditions have to do with the people who become terrorists (they are described as having certain psychological traits, like 'narcissistic rage') and some conditions have to do with the circumstances they live in (a poor society; a formerly colonized society, for example).

But have ever thought what do they achieve by targeting innocent people for their enmity with the government? This was the question asked to one of the terrorists who answered by saying that it we are trying to tell them how it feels to lose a loved one for no fault of theirs and to see even after that would they react the same way as they did when they saw someone else in trouble. I am not here to support terrorism or to justify them; they are wrong and will always be. But are we right? Do we stand against the social injustice; we remain quiet because it doesn’t involve us, or rather it doesn’t affect us. It is only when it affects us that we realize the pain in it. Are we willing to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor? We always turn a blind eye to others pain, we are too self centered that we do not realize that indirectly it is our actions that have made these terrorists. And we are not even aware of our surroundings, these terrorists are among us and it is up to us to recognize the suspicious character around and get him caught. There are incidents when terrorists have rented homes, lived there and made bombs, executed their plans and when the police comes for investigation the people around have no answer about them. Where are we living? What is the point of living a life which might cause the death of thousands? It is ridiculous to call ourselves the most superior being, when we cannot stand together at times of troubles.

One more thing which went unanswered is that has religion has caused terrorism??, it is ridiculous to say such a thing because there is no religion on this earth which says to take the blood of an innocent being; it is just that the trouble makers who wanted to convince people to join them knew that religion is the strongest binding force and they just had to interpret the words of the almighty. These wrong interpretations, brain washing of innocent minds have caused many tragedies, and all this happens among us, children are kidnapped and we aren’t bothered. Later these kids are brain washed and sent down as suicide bombers. Yet we are not willing to accept the BITTER TRUTH that it is us who is making a TERRORIST with our selfish actions. It’s high time that we realized this and acted accordingly to make sure that there are no more new terrorists.