911: The Day the World Changed
Terrorism In the Name of God Damages All Religions
The terrorists involved in 9/11 have only helped to smear the name of their own religion - as well as other religions in the world.
Six years ago, on September 11, 2001, the face of the world changed dramatically and beyond all recognition. Some say it’s the biggest change witnessed since the Second World War.
The attack on the twin towers highlighted a new kind of threat. It was modernity turned on its head, extremism at is most unimaginable and religion at its harshest.
The Attack
Suicide bombers showed that international crime had truly become a global network with a perceived threat which is able to bring societies virtually to their knees. A very carefully and well-planned attacked helped to show the world that no-one was safe. It didn’t matter who they were or where they lived, the poorest country or the richest country, they were now a vulnerable target. It didn’t even matter if the perpetrators died; that only helped their cause.
What the Attack meant for Religion
The attack had two contrasting effects on religion. Firstly, it showed that religion was either false or at best wasn’t as true as it proposed. Maybe there wasn’t a God who could allow such evil and hatred, because God is supposed to be loving and caring and these people clearly weren’t either. They didn’t try to help people or pray for those in need, but deliberately tried to hurt, kill and cause as much destruction as possible, all in the name of God. Surely these people cannot really be religious.
Secondly, the attacks brought such pain and devastation that some people turned to religion for support. In their hour of need, with families, friendships and organisations in ruins, who else is there to turn to? It wasn’t unusual for people to pray out for help while waiting to be rescued in their final hours and minutes before the inevitable seemed to be edging nearer. Those left behind also prayed for their loved ones who had been killed prematurely.
Religion: Six Years Post 911
With the events of the 11th September etched on to people’s memories, too many have forgotten the immediate background to the attacks. It’s too easy to recall the images of the planes circling the towers before flying directly into them; and it’s now overtaken with impressions of calculating Muslims, plotting behind the backs of families and communities to wreak their havoc.
It’s these impressions of Muslims which have now taken over as the primary image of too many people as religion takes the blame for people who decide to twist and adapt the teachings for their own means.
The thought that true religion is nothing like this fails to cross people’s minds because it’s too easy to belief what others say. So religion suffers and those who engage in terrorism in the name of God only help to ruin the name of the religion they pretend to believe in. It is a sad irony.
Picture courtesy of bigfoto.com
