Terrorism and violence based on religious belief is markedly different than other forms of terrorism because of the interjection of a religious component. This religious element is often translated into the belief that fighting against an opponent is obligatory and mandated by a deity. Because many believe that fighting against an opponent is mandated by his or her God, discussions of defeat are nonexistent and discussions of death are highlighted by a belief that death for the cause (martyrdom) is the greatest honor one can receive.

With these thoughts in mind, consider what it takes to defeat such a religiously based movement and answer the following questions:

• If religious extremists are not fearful of death, what tools do the targets of their attacks have that can diminish the attractiveness of a religious extremist ideology and thereby degrade the support that such ideology entertains?
• Can the United States and the West engage the radical Islam movement while avoiding being viewed as targeting the Muslim population as a whole? If your answer is yes, then how? If your answer is no, then why not?
• Can religious terrorism be defeated? Why or why not?

References:

White, J. R. (2012). Terrorism and homeland security (7th ed). Wadsworth Publishing Company. Belmont, CA