Juergensmeyer - 2001 (ch. 1)

Significant Events:
- September 1997: A Hamas suicide bomber detonated plastic explosives at a Ben Yehuda shopping mall in Jerusalem.
- The explosion highlighted the vulnerability of normal life in developed countries and instilled fear in the public.
- Multiple incidents in the 1990s (e.g., embassy bombings, Oklahoma City bombing) contributed to a growing anxiety about safety and terrorism in America.

Global Context:
- Various countries face religiously motivated violence:
  - France: Subway bombings by Algerian activists.
  - Britain: Explosive attacks by Irish nationalists.
  - Japan: Nerve gas attack by a Hindu-Buddhist sect.
  - India: Bombings by Sikh and Kashmiri separatists.
  - Middle East: Violence from Jewish and Muslim extremists.
- Religious violence is increasingly common in many cultures worldwide.

Defining Terrorism:
- The term originated from the Latin word "terrere", meaning "to cause to tremble." It emerged during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution as a political term.
- Terrorism involves public acts of violence aimed at instilling fear without a clear military objective.
- The label of terrorism is often subjectively assigned by witnesses and the media.
Religious Justifications:
- Many acts of violence are justified by religious beliefs, suggesting a contradiction between the peaceful ideals of religion and the violent acts committed under its banner.
- Examples of state terrorism and historical acts by disenfranchised groups illustrate the varied contexts in which terrorism occurs.

Historical Trends:
- In 1980, religious organizations were scarcely represented among terrorist groups; by 1998, many of the most dangerous terrorist groups identified were religious.
- A growing body of evidence suggests that religious violence has become a significant global security challenge since the Cold War.
Explore Deep Connections:
- The connection between religion and violence is explored through case studies of various terrorist acts attributed to religious motivations.
- The study employs cultural and historical contexts to analyze motivations for violence and the communities that support these acts.

Community and Support Structures:
- Religious violence is rarely the act of isolated individuals; it often involves deep support within communities and organizations.
- The attackers often feel they have moral justification from their communities to engage in violent acts.
Cultural Perceptions of Oppression:
- Each involved community perceives itself as under threat or attack, justifying acts of violence as defensive or necessary responses.
- Different contexts yield varying levels of acceptance concerning violent actions based on perceived oppression or existential threats.

Cultural Approach:
- The term "culture" is utilized broadly to include values, ideas, and social organizations that contribute to the justification of violence.
- The author references scholars like Michel Foucault and Clifford Geertz to explain cultural frameworks underlying violent ideologies.

Focus Areas:
- The book introduces specific case studies involving terrorist groups from various religious backgrounds: Christian militias in the U.S., Northern Irish groups, Islamic extremists, and others.
- The second half analyzes overarching themes and ideologies in the culture of violence, focusing on the meaning behind religiously justified acts and the social dynamics that support them.

Understanding Religion's Role in Violence:
- The study aims to unravel how religious beliefs can simultaneously inspire peace and violence and contextualizes these findings within contemporary global changes.
- Insights are geared towards promoting effective responses to religious terrorism and understanding the roots of such violent expressions in the broader religious imagination.