Terrorism

We understand terrorism as being a way of inducing terror to coerce or control results for a cause. Recently we have seen a new wave of vengeance terrorism which has become a war against democracy and freedom.

The situation that we are confronted with, is how to fight that terrorism, without generating more fear and destroying innocent lives.

The point is not to become like the terrorist, who acts, pushed by hatred and revenge but to act rationally and responsibly.

The beginning of a terrorist activity takes place when a person or a group is offended by something that is interpreted as an injustice or offence. They take it upon themselves to right this wrong by retaliation of some sort, but this turns out to be the beginning of a bigger problem because by forcing their way through irresponsible actions they lose sympathy for their cause.

However just or unjust the offence may be, it does not justify revenge since God has taught us to forgive, otherwise we will not be forgiven.

Terrorism was introduced to the world in Paradise, when Cain killed Abel, because his hatred could not be controlled. It has been with us ever since and it will not stop until we listen and live the words of Christ.

Terrorism may take different forms, so we may have the case of politics affecting adversely the lives of many people by legal force. We see how some nations harass other nations and control them with economic measures, we see how the over-protection of some is by contrast suffered in the lack of protection and economic future by others, the rich are always getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, the balance of justice is not kept.

The world seeks peace, but good sense will tell us that there is no true peace if a small group is happy and prosperous while the larger group is poor, homeless, oppressed and starving.

The seeds of discontent and hatred are multiplying, they are fertilized with vengeance that sooner or later beget terrorism.

When will we learn?
Hatred can not be destroyed with more hatred, violence can not be eliminated with more violence, terrorism can not be stopped with more terrorism. To do this, is to spin the wheel of hatred until we have to face the unexpected retribution for our irresponsible actions.

Revenge is an absurd method of getting even which will never solve any problem, it is a continuation of the old saying an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Jesus taught us very clearly his doctrine of salvation which involves forgiving those who do evil to us when he said:

Matthew 5:38
38 "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also;
40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well;
41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
43 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

What has become very clear about terrorism is that innocent victims are involved, and the ruthless killers always believe that they are doing the right thing.

How blind can we be?
The golden rule or the law of the Prophets says "Do to others as you would expect them to do to you."
Now, every one of us has committed evil acts against our neighbor and yet we become very angry if they retaliate, because we are blind to see the evil in ourselves, we always justify our wrongdoing as Jesus explains:

Matthew 7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Terrorism and Religion
Religion means union with God, a union which can only take place when we obey God's commandments.

The fifth commandment very clearly says: Do not kill
Killing in the name of Religion does not come from God, it is a sin that will bring vengeance from God.
All religions are good and they help people spiritually to find the truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The teachings of Our Lord guide us into finding the true peace and meaning of life.
To err is human, to forgive, divine. The Lord says: forgive and you shall be forgiven. We pray in the Our Father, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".

Just because some terrorists identify themselves with any religion, does not give us the right to judge all the people in that religion.

We are not pass judgment to anyone, the Lord says (Matthew 7:2) Do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned.

Other Scriptures:
Mathew 26:52 for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Terrorism of a very cruel kind
There is a source of terror in every one of us. We inflict terror upon others when we interfere with their rights of dignity and respect.

Whenever we sin, we either sin against God by not obeying the first three commandments or we sin against our brothers and sisters by disobeying the rest of the commandments of love for our neighbour. This is an act of terror that we commit against others, that is, if we admit the true sense of terror.

Many people are affected by vandalism, noise, pollution, vices and other irresponsible menaces that we find in our society. We do evil and try to get away with it. We commit sin and remain silent, we do not repent because we mock God, believing that He is blind to see or indifferent to sin.

Innocent blood shed all over the earth
Every year about fifty million (50.000.000) innocent babies are killed in the world by abortion.
Life is one, from the womb to the tomb. The blood of those innocents cry for the vengance of God.

This kind of silent terror is inflicted upon innocent life in its very beginning and not many people are opposed to that crime in order to stop it. As a matter of fact more innocent life is destroyed now that most (civilized) countries permit the use of contraceptives which is an antinatural birth control method, the manipulation of life through stem cell research, human embryos, cloning and other barbaric methods of playing with human life.

We have found true terrorists, search no more .......

What are we doing to ourselves?

We are the enemy of life and no one is taking revenge....

No one but God alone, as He has promised in the Holy Scriptures.

Psalm 106:39-42
36 They served their idols,
which became a snare to them.

37 They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to the demons;

38 they poured out innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
and the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus they became unclean by their acts,
and played the harlot in their doings.

40 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people,
and he abhorred his heritage;

41 he gave them into the hand of the nations,
so that those who hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies oppressed them,
and they were brought into subjection under their power.

Injustice
We learn with disgust of the list of multi billionaires in the world, who live lives of luxury and pleasure while in contrast millions of people are starving all over the world.
It is the same story of the rich man in the Gospel and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19)
After their death, the rich man was punished in flames for his indulgences while Lazarus enjoyed the life of Paradise.

Many nations are united now, trying to fight terrorism, which is a very good idea; but how much better it would be if this great unprecedented coalition could channel their efforts to stop poverty and injustice in the world.

God's revenge
Jeremiah 5:28'29
28 they have grown fat and sleek.
They know no bounds in deeds of wickedness;
they judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.

29 Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD,
and shall I not avenge myself
on a nation such as this?"

Solution to terrorism
Let us pray for justice in the world.
Let us pray for the poor to have food and shelter.
Let us pray for evil people to repent.
Let us pray for those who are planning revenge to give up their plans of terror.
Let us pray for our enemies to receive God's blessings.
Let us pray for our leaders to be guided with the Holy Spirit, so that our nations will be respected as God abiding nations, that do the will of God.
Let us pray for authorities not to abuse power.
Let us forgive with humility the evils committed against us.
Let us pray to God: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
Let us entrust our needs to the Immaculate Heart of Mary our compassionate Mother, so that She will intercede for us.
Let us be nice to each other.
Let us live the words of Jesus: love your enemies.

Life is sacred