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Terrorism

Useful Definitions

Consequences of a terrorist attack​

Terrorist attacks (or 'terror attacks') can have major effects on society, including:

  • Death
  • Injury
  • Fear/PTSD
  • Grief
  • Discrimination/prejudice, usually against the demographic of the terrorist(s)
  • Property damage

Religious views​

No religion promotes terrorism. Terrorists may associate their cause with religion, but it is not supported by any sacred writings or religious teachings. All major religions have terrorism as a sin.

Christian View

Love your enemies

— Jesus

Buddhist View

The First Moral Precept states that Buddhists should do no harm

Examples​

2017 London Bridge Attack​

What happened​

On the 3rd of June 2017, a van hit pedestrians on London Bridge before crashing, where they got out and started stabbing civilians and police. They were later shot dead by police.

Casualties​

There were 8 deaths, along with the 3 attackers, and 48 people were injured, 28 critically.

Perpetrators​

  • Khuram Shazad Butt
  • Rachid Redouare
  • Youssef Zaghba

ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Motive​

Islamic extremism

2011 Norway Attacks​

What happened​

On the 22nd of July 2011, a car bomb was detonated next to the office of the Norwegian primeminister, before the perpetrator then imitated a police officer and fired indiscriminately in to a summer camp arranged by the country's currently leading left-wing political party.

Casualties​

77 people died (8 by the bombing, 67 by the mass shooting, and 2 others) and 320 injuries (210+ by bombing, 32 by the mass shooting, and 80+ others). A survey showed that 1 in 4 Norwegians knew somebody who was affected.

Perpetrator​

Anders Breivik

Motive​

  • Far-right extremism
  • White supremacy
  • Islamaphobia
  • Belief in the white genocide conspiracy theory

September 11th Attacks​

What happened​

On the 11th of September 2001, 4 planes were hijacked and intentionally crashed: two into the World Trade Center in New York, one into the Pentagon (the US's Department of Defense Headquarters) and one into a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers fought against the hijackers.

Casualties​

2977 people died (all 246 passengers and 2731 people on the ground), along with 13 hijackers. There was around 6000-25000 injuries.

Perpetrators​

19 people under the command of Al Qaeda, a terrorist organisation led by Osama bin Laden.

Motive​

USA and Western support of many things, and general hate for the USA and the West.