| ID | 148935 |
| Title Proper | Why the “sacred” is a better resource than “religion” for understanding terrorism |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Francis, Matthew D M |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The popular media and many in academia often overstate the role that religion, and its supposedly unique qualities, has played in recent acts of terror. In this article, I argue that the notion of religious violence is unhelpful and that there is a more useful concept that we can utilize to draw out the values and ideas that play a role in the move to violence in both religious and secular groups. From a series of case studies on religious and non-religious groups, I have drawn out an alternative framework for investigating and learning from the role that beliefs play in motivations and justifications for terrorism. This framework uses the concept of non-negotiable (or “sacred”) beliefs. It is as applicable to secular as it is to religious groups, and can show us much more about how such beliefs can contribute to violence. |
| `In' analytical Note | Terrorism and Political Violence Vol. 28,Vol.5 :Nov-Dec 2016: p.912-927 |
| Journal Source | Terrorism and Political Violence Vol: 28 No 3-5 |
| Key Words | Terrorism ; Violence ; Religion ; Ideology ; Beliefs ; Sacred |