11

Terrorists? Terrorism?Terrorists? Terrorism?

22

Terrorism is a political strategy, not a creedTerrorism is a political strategy, not a creed We can reasonably define that strategy as We can reasonably define that strategy as asymmetrical deployment of asymmetrical deployment of

threats and violence against enemies using means that fall outside the threats and violence against enemies using means that fall outside the forms of political struggle routinely operating within some current regime.forms of political struggle routinely operating within some current regime.

A great variety of individuals and groups engage in terror, thus defined, from A great variety of individuals and groups engage in terror, thus defined, from time to time, most often alternating terror with other political strategies or time to time, most often alternating terror with other political strategies or with political inaction.with political inaction.

Groups and networks specializing in terror and no other forms of political Groups and networks specializing in terror and no other forms of political action do sometimes form, but they typically remain unstable and action do sometimes form, but they typically remain unstable and ephemeral.ephemeral.

Most groups and networks that engage in terror overlap extensively with Most groups and networks that engage in terror overlap extensively with government-employed and government-backed specialists in coercion – government-employed and government-backed specialists in coercion – armies, police, militias, paramilitaries, and the like.armies, police, militias, paramilitaries, and the like.

Even when they organize in opposition to existing governments, specialists Even when they organize in opposition to existing governments, specialists in coercion typically adopt forms of organization, external connections, and in coercion typically adopt forms of organization, external connections, and sources of supply resembling those of government-employed specialists.sources of supply resembling those of government-employed specialists.

Most uses of terror actually occur as complements or by-products of Most uses of terror actually occur as complements or by-products of struggles in which participants – often including the so-called terrorists – are struggles in which participants – often including the so-called terrorists – are simultaneously or successively engaging in other more routine varieties of simultaneously or successively engaging in other more routine varieties of political claim making.political claim making.(Tilly(Tilly, Terror, Terrorism, Terrorists, 2002)

, ,

33

"Bin Laden and Other "Bin Laden and Other Thoroughly Modern Muslims"Thoroughly Modern Muslims"

Charles Kurzman, Ch. 42, pp. Charles Kurzman, Ch. 42, pp. 353-357353-357

44

Islamists, Radical Islamists, and Islamists, Radical Islamists, and Islamic liberalismIslamic liberalism

IslamistsIslamists seek to regain righteousness of early seek to regain righteousness of early yrs of Islam and implement yrs of Islam and implement shariasharia, either by , either by using the state to enforce it or by convincing using the state to enforce it or by convincing Muslims to abide by norms of own accordMuslims to abide by norms of own accord

Radical IslamistsRadical Islamists have much in common w/ have much in common w/ Islamic liberalism:Islamic liberalism: Both seek to modernize society and politics, recasting Both seek to modernize society and politics, recasting

tradition in modern moldstradition in modern molds Both see multiple ways to be modern and don't Both see multiple ways to be modern and don't

equate modernity w/ Western cultureequate modernity w/ Western culture

55

By contrast with By contrast with Radical Islamists Radical Islamists such such as as Al QaedaAl Qaeda,, traditionalists traditionalists such as the such as the

TalibanTaliban:: Draw on less educated sectors of societyDraw on less educated sectors of society Believe in mystical and personal authority Believe in mystical and personal authority

and are skeptical of modern organizational and are skeptical of modern organizational formsforms

"For this reason, traditionalist movements "For this reason, traditionalist movements are finding it difficult to survive and occupy are finding it difficult to survive and occupy only isolated pockets of Muslim society" only isolated pockets of Muslim society" (pp. 353-4)(pp. 353-4)

66

The Islamists Roots in Secular The Islamists Roots in Secular EducationEducation

Many Islamists have university (secular) rather Many Islamists have university (secular) rather than seminary (religious) educationsthan seminary (religious) educations

Bin Laden (leader of Bin Laden (leader of Al QaedaAl Qaeda) held a civil ) held a civil engineering degree, although he issued engineering degree, although he issued fatwasfatwas (religious decrees) as if he were a seminary (religious decrees) as if he were a seminary educated Islamic scholareducated Islamic scholar

Islamists have railed against seminary-trained Islamists have railed against seminary-trained scholars as out of touch and politically inactivescholars as out of touch and politically inactive Seminaries are considered "backward" by IslamistsSeminaries are considered "backward" by Islamists

College-educated Muslims have increasingly College-educated Muslims have increasingly been analyzing sacred texts in a "do it yourself" been analyzing sacred texts in a "do it yourself" kind of theology kind of theology

77

There's great diversity in Islamic There's great diversity in Islamic opinion and Islamic authorityopinion and Islamic authority

Governments have taken a role in establishing Governments have taken a role in establishing their own official religious authorities and their own official religious authorities and advancing their own visions of the proper advancing their own visions of the proper relationship between Islam and the state, relationship between Islam and the state, through textbooks, for examplethrough textbooks, for example

There is no universally recognized arbiter to There is no universally recognized arbiter to resolve Islamic debatesresolve Islamic debates

Any college graduate in a cave can claim to Any college graduate in a cave can claim to speak for Islamspeak for Islam

88

Islamist political platforms share Islamist political platforms share much with Western modernity.much with Western modernity.

Islamists envision overturning tradition in Islamists envision overturning tradition in politics, social relations, and religious practicespolitics, social relations, and religious practices

Islamists are hostile to monarchies, such as the Islamists are hostile to monarchies, such as the Saudi dynasty in ArabiaSaudi dynasty in Arabia

Islamists favor egalitarian meritocracy, as Islamists favor egalitarian meritocracy, as opposed to inherited social hierarchiesopposed to inherited social hierarchies e.g., Bin Laden combined traditional grievances such e.g., Bin Laden combined traditional grievances such

as injustice, corruption, oppression, and self-defense as injustice, corruption, oppression, and self-defense with contemporary, secular demands such as with contemporary, secular demands such as economic development, human rights and national economic development, human rights and national self-determinationself-determination

99

Western biases tend to wrongly Western biases tend to wrongly lump Khomeni's Iran together w/ lump Khomeni's Iran together w/

the the TalibanTaliban in Afghanistan in Afghanistan Both claimed to be building Islamic states, but Iran is a Both claimed to be building Islamic states, but Iran is a

modern state and Afghanistan is notmodern state and Afghanistan is not Islamic Republic of Iran copied global norms by writing Islamic Republic of Iran copied global norms by writing

constitution, ratifying it with a referendum w/ full adult constitution, ratifying it with a referendum w/ full adult suffrage, holding elections, conducting census, etc.suffrage, holding elections, conducting census, etc. vs. the traditionalist vs. the traditionalist TalibanTaliban, which preferred informal and , which preferred informal and

personal administration to the rule-bound bureaucracies favored personal administration to the rule-bound bureaucracies favored by modern statesby modern states

On the issue of gender, Taliban barred girls from school, On the issue of gender, Taliban barred girls from school, while the Iranian Islamic Republic more than doubled while the Iranian Islamic Republic more than doubled girls education levelsgirls education levels

1010

In ideology and also in practice, bin In ideology and also in practice, bin Laden/Laden/Al QaedaAl Qaeda and other radical and other radical

Islamists mirror Western trendsIslamists mirror Western trends

Al QaedaAl Qaeda operates globally like a TNC, operates globally like a TNC, with affiliates and subsidiaries, strategic with affiliates and subsidiaries, strategic partners, commodity chains, standardized partners, commodity chains, standardized training, off-shore financing training, off-shore financing Insiders call it "the company"Insiders call it "the company" It's a bureaucratic organization, with a It's a bureaucratic organization, with a

modernized communications strategymodernized communications strategy

1111

Radical Islamists are a minority Radical Islamists are a minority within Islamwithin Islam

Surveys consistently show that most Muslims oppose Surveys consistently show that most Muslims oppose Islamists and their goalsIslamists and their goals

Islamists rarely fare well in free/partially free electionsIslamists rarely fare well in free/partially free elections However, the US-led war of terror may inadvertently However, the US-led war of terror may inadvertently

benefit Islamistsbenefit Islamists The modernization of Muslim societies promoted by the The modernization of Muslim societies promoted by the

US and its allies as a buffer against traditionalism may US and its allies as a buffer against traditionalism may wind up fueling Islamismwind up fueling Islamism Modern schools produce Islamists as well as liberalsModern schools produce Islamists as well as liberals Modern businesses fund Islamist as well as other causesModern businesses fund Islamist as well as other causes Modern communications can broadcast Islamist as well as other Modern communications can broadcast Islamist as well as other

messagesmessages

Modernity may take many forms besides Western Modernity may take many forms besides Western culture culture

1212

““The Christian Revolution”The Christian Revolution”

Philip Jenkins, Ch. 46, pp. 379-Philip Jenkins, Ch. 46, pp. 379-386386

1313

The Transformation of The Transformation of ChristianityChristianity

Christianity, long identified as religion of Christianity, long identified as religion of West or Global North, of white nations, of West or Global North, of white nations, of "the haves," is declining in North "the haves," is declining in North America/Europe, but expanding in the America/Europe, but expanding in the Global SouthGlobal South

1414

The New Face of ChristianityThe New Face of Christianity The typical contemporary Christian is in a Nigerian or The typical contemporary Christian is in a Nigerian or

Brazilian favelaBrazilian favela Many of fastest-growing countries in world are Many of fastest-growing countries in world are

predominantly Christian or have very sizeable Christian predominantly Christian or have very sizeable Christian minoritiesminorities

Traditionally Christian states in the West/North have Traditionally Christian states in the West/North have declining birthratesdeclining birthrates

Extrapolating statistics to the year 2025, there would be Extrapolating statistics to the year 2025, there would be about 2.6 billion Christians, of whom 633 mil would live in about 2.6 billion Christians, of whom 633 mil would live in Africa, 640 mil in Latin America, and 460 mil in AsiaAfrica, 640 mil in Latin America, and 460 mil in Asia

Europe, with 555 mil, would slip to third placeEurope, with 555 mil, would slip to third place Africa and Latin America will together account for half of the Africa and Latin America will together account for half of the

Christians in the worldChristians in the world

1515

AA New Christian Synthesis?New Christian Synthesis?

A new synthesis, uniting Christians in the Global A new synthesis, uniting Christians in the Global South with those in the West/North, is unlikely, South with those in the West/North, is unlikely, considering the critical differences between their considering the critical differences between their social basessocial bases Future members of Southern dominated church are Future members of Southern dominated church are

likely to be poorer, leading some Western Christians likely to be poorer, leading some Western Christians to expect a growth in liberation theologyto expect a growth in liberation theology liberation theologyliberation theology: fervently liberal, activist and : fervently liberal, activist and

revolutionary vision of Christianity that looks to revolutionary vision of Christianity that looks to “liberate” the poor through political action, it grew “liberate” the poor through political action, it grew enormously in Brazil in the 1960s enormously in Brazil in the 1960s

Southern Christians are far more conservativeSouthern Christians are far more conservative

1616

Christianity in Global South vs. Christianity in Global South vs. North (Europe & North America)North (Europe & North America)

Southern Christians are far more Conservative in terms of Southern Christians are far more Conservative in terms of belief belief andand moral teachingmoral teaching Roman Catholics, of a traditionalist kind, radical Protestant sects, Roman Catholics, of a traditionalist kind, radical Protestant sects,

evangelical or Pentecostalevangelical or Pentecostal Strong supernatural orientation…more interested in personal salvation Strong supernatural orientation…more interested in personal salvation

than radical politicsthan radical politics Adapting Christian belief to local traditions, groups have titles like Adapting Christian belief to local traditions, groups have titles like

""African indigenous churches"African indigenous churches" Newer churches preach deep personal faith and communal orthodoxy, Newer churches preach deep personal faith and communal orthodoxy,

mysticism and Puritanism, mysticism and Puritanism, all founded on clear scriptural authorityall founded on clear scriptural authority Preach visions that seem simplistically charismatic, visionary and Preach visions that seem simplistically charismatic, visionary and

apocalypticapocalyptic In this thought world, prophecy is an everyday realityIn this thought world, prophecy is an everyday reality

It has much in common with those of medieval or early modern It has much in common with those of medieval or early modern European timesEuropean times

1717

Still, researchers have missed these Still, researchers have missed these trends, too focused on political trends, too focused on political movements like fascism and movements like fascism and

communismcommunism Meanwhile, Pentecostalism is flourishing, and may be Meanwhile, Pentecostalism is flourishing, and may be

considered the most successful social movement of the considered the most successful social movement of the past centurypast century PentecostalismPentecostalism and related charismatic movements represent and related charismatic movements represent

one of the fastest-growing segments of global Christianity. At one of the fastest-growing segments of global Christianity. At least a quarter of the world's 2 billion Christians are thought to least a quarter of the world's 2 billion Christians are thought to be members of these lively, highly personal faiths, which be members of these lively, highly personal faiths, which emphasize such spiritually renewing "gifts of the Holy Spirit" as emphasize such spiritually renewing "gifts of the Holy Spirit" as speaking in tongues, divine healing and prophesying. Even more speaking in tongues, divine healing and prophesying. Even more than other Christians, pentecostals and other renewalists believe than other Christians, pentecostals and other renewalists believe that God, acting through the Holy Spirit, continues to play a that God, acting through the Holy Spirit, continues to play a direct, active role in everyday life.direct, active role in everyday life.

And there are even more Catholics than PentecostalsAnd there are even more Catholics than Pentecostals

1818

Medieval Parallels – A New Medieval Parallels – A New Christendom?Christendom?

Medieval Europe considered an age of faith, Medieval Europe considered an age of faith, passionate spirituality, based on unity that passionate spirituality, based on unity that transcended kingdoms or empirestranscended kingdoms or empires

Laws of nations lasted only as long as nations Laws of nations lasted only as long as nations themselves, while Christendom offered a higher themselves, while Christendom offered a higher set of standards, which alone could claim set of standards, which alone could claim universalityuniversality

Christianity was a primary form of cultural Christianity was a primary form of cultural referencereference

1919

Ultimately, Christianity collapsed in Ultimately, Christianity collapsed in the face of secular nationalismthe face of secular nationalism

A connection between religion and political A connection between religion and political order was no longer assumedorder was no longer assumed

2020

By start of 21st century, the nation-By start of 21st century, the nation-state, the whole Westphalian state, the whole Westphalian

system, came under challengesystem, came under challenge Technology played a key roleTechnology played a key role In Europe, loyalty to nation is being replaced by In Europe, loyalty to nation is being replaced by

identification with larger entities (Europe) or identification with larger entities (Europe) or smaller (regions or ethnic groups)smaller (regions or ethnic groups)

Decline of states in face of globalization has Decline of states in face of globalization has parallels with the cosmopolitan world of the parallels with the cosmopolitan world of the Middle Ages, leading some to expect the Middle Ages, leading some to expect the emergence of some supranational movement or emergence of some supranational movement or ideology ideology

2121

Christianity in context -- different Christianity in context -- different meanings of Christianity in meanings of Christianity in

Global South vs. North Global South vs. North Globalization may not signal American imperialism but a Globalization may not signal American imperialism but a

new Christendom, based in the global Southnew Christendom, based in the global South Although Latin America and Africa are separated geographically and Although Latin America and Africa are separated geographically and

differ in terms of institutional structures, both confront similar colonial differ in terms of institutional structures, both confront similar colonial legacies, fundamentally separating the experiences of Northern and legacies, fundamentally separating the experiences of Northern and Southern churchesSouthern churches

Christians in the South read the Bible in a way that Christians in the South read the Bible in a way that makes Christianity look like a wholly different religion makes Christianity look like a wholly different religion from the faith of prosperous advanced countries of from the faith of prosperous advanced countries of Europe and North AmericaEurope and North America Responding to wholly different Responding to wholly different social conditionssocial conditions, Christians in the global , Christians in the global

South are comfortable with biblical notions of the supernatural and South are comfortable with biblical notions of the supernatural and prophecy – and with martyrdom, oppression and exileprophecy – and with martyrdom, oppression and exile

The meaning of the text is shaped by social contextThe meaning of the text is shaped by social context