My Plan to End Terrorism by LG

     Terrorism is something that has plagued the world for decades.  Terrorists have used their religious beliefs as an excuse to use violence.  Regardless of which religion the terrorist comes from, their targets are usually the same, which are secular governments.  Many terrorists feel that secular governments have no sense of moral values.  Furthermore, their main goal has been to overthrow their power, indicating that they want to take over.  Although the above stated is the main reason why they attack, another reason for attacks is in defense.  Some religions not only have a fear of the government, but they also have a fear of other religions, because they think they may try to invade their land.  There have been many attempts made, by governments and other religions, to try and stop terrorism, yet none have been successful.  However, is there really a perfect plan that can stop religious terror and violence, bring peace to the world?  I would like to think that there is, but I also believe that it is going to take united effort from everyone to make it work.
     I feel that one of the main reasons why we have terrorism is because there is a lack of understanding from other cultures.  The United States tends to be a target for many terrorists, and it is quite understandable why that is so.  The U.S. is such an ethnocentric country.  We feel that are the superior country in the world, and that everyone should be just like us.  “The reason bin Laden gave for targeting America was its list of ‘crimes,’ which included ‘occupying the lands of Islam in the holiest of places, the Arabian Peninsula, plundering its riches, dictating to its rulers, humiliating its people, terrorizing its neighbors and turning its bases in the peninsula into a spearhead through which to fight the neighboring Muslim peoples’” (Juergensmeyer 182).  Other religions feel that we are a huge threat to their entire livelihood, and that is why they feel the need to attack.
     My plan comes in conjunction with one of Juergensmeyer’s fifth scenario, healing politics with religion.  I do strongly believe that we need to respect the cultural, and in this case, the religious beliefs, of people who are different from us.  Terrorists attack based on what their religion tells them.  “When people have a belief in a religion, especially when it’s a strong belief, they tend to use that as a foundation on how they govern their lives” (assignment #2, 9/30/05, ¶4).  I feel that if we were to make, even a small effort, to understand their lifestyle, it would show them that we do have moral values, and that were not out to just murder people.  “The possibilities of a compromise solution strengthened when religious activists have perceived governmental authorities as having a moral integrity in keeping with, or accommodating of religious values” (Juergensmeyer 243).
     Gandhi once said that “an eye for eye will make the world go blind.”  I also feel that we should not fight fire with fire.  The whole purpose of terrorists planning these grand attacks is to get the attention of a particular party.  If we retaliate and attack right back, it is just going to fuel the terrorist even more. “A belligerent secular enemy has often been just what the religious activists have hoped for” (235).  “If secular authorities embrace moral values, including those associated with religion, then it might make it a better place to live.  I don't think there is anything wrong with respecting one's moral values.  I think the reason we have so much problems is because there is no respect for others.  If we respected what other people believe, (not saying we have to agree with it) we might be able to live a better life” (Forum #13, 12/14/05, Chantelle Burrell).  In the future, the terrorists are not going to want to attack a group of people who have not only shown that they have a sense of moral values, but also shown respect towards their religion.
     Would this be a plan that could really stop terrorism and create a world of peace and harmony?  I think that if this had chance, it might just work.  It is just unfortunate that we live such an eye for eye, tooth for tooth society.