Jerrold Post and Contemporary Terrorism

In a modern society, when we think of "terrorism," religious connotations are commonly drawn. Terrorism is often thought of as a religious extremist ideal. This notion predominately arises from the "Islamic" attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001, commonly recognised as 9/11. However, religious fundamentalism is unlikely to be the sole cause of terrorist acts. It has become far too easy to blame religions (especially Islam) for the violence in our contemporary world.

In his paper, Jerrold Post addresses the psychology of terrorism (2005). He details that there is no single psychological explanation for these violent acts. However, he foregrounds social psychology as the most powerful lens through which to explain terrorism (Post 2005: 15). He goes on to say that group membership and identity has a greater influence over terrorist behaviour than individual psychopathology or beliefs. I wonder, does this include religious beliefs? It is interesting to think that group identity plays a larger role in an individual's terrorist behaviour then their religious beliefs do.

Once an individual is recruited into a terrorist group, there is a clear fusing of individual identity with group identity. By belonging to a group, the terrorist individual feels accepted, important and needed (Rogers et al 2007: 258). So, by becoming a member, the individual's attitudes and behaviours are impacted. There is a great pressure for the individual to conform. There is a certain desire for respect and trust from the group. Being part of the group therefore provides the necessary justification for their violent actions. This fusing of the individual to the group is found across all organisations, regardless of their ideological affiliation (i.e. religious or secular). 

Is there really any difference between a religious terrorist movement and a secular terrorist group? Although we are constantly reminded that religious extremist groups are dangerous and detrimental to society, they are, put simply, just another terrorist group. They, like any secular terrorist group, share a collective identity. Violence is simply shared by people with a common habitus. So, technically, religious terrorist groups are no different to any other terrorist group. A terrorist group is a terrorist group, no matter their beliefs. It is the fact that they are 'religious' that draws so much more attention. This may be because, as I wrote in my last blog entry, that contemporary society is somewhat afraid of religion and thus finds it easier to blame religions for such atrocities.

All terrorist groups are similar considering their characterization or perception of "the enemy" (Post 2005: 21). This can be recognised as an "us versus them" ideology. Through this ideal, it becomes somewhat logical that the destruction of "them," or the source of all evil, becomes a moral obligation. However, although this is characteristic of many religious groups, it is not exclusive to religious groups. It can be related to all terrorist groups, religious or secular.

It can be said that this repeated focus on religion is an excuse to avoid focusing on the real social issues from which terrorism arises, such as the growing gap between varying socio-economic status (Rogers et al 2007: 260). The role of poverty in influencing terrorist violence is downplayed, while religion is dramatically highlighted. Many individuals who opt to join a terrorist organisation are raised in a climate dominated by hopelessness and despair, where extremism and violence is increasingly seen as the only course of action (Rogers et al 2007). Poverty is therefore a key social driver (Rogers et al 2007: 257).

So, is religion really to blame for terrorism? Or, is poverty and similar social issues pushing individuals to join terrorist groups to feel accepted, needed and important ... and not forgotten? Is it just a coincidence that all members of a specific group are adherents of the same religion? Are we blaming and focusing on religious violence and terrorism so that we can push the real issues in our contemporary world aside?

References

Post, J.M. (2005). When Hatred is Bred in the Bone: Psycho-cultural Foundations of Contemporary Terrorism. Political Psychology, 26 (4), 615-636.

Rogers, M.B., K.M. Loewenthal, C.A. Lewis, R. Amlot, M. Cinnirella, H Ansari. (2007). The Role of Religious Fundamentalism in Terrorist Violence: A Social Psychological Analysis. International Review of Psychiatry, 19 (3), 253-262.