Define Terrorism

[fix-the-spade]

So, would anyone care to have a shot at defining exactly what terrorism is?

Any miltary, political, religious group or individual that attempts to achieve it's/his/her aims through the deliberate and willfull destruction/damage of civilian people/property/animals.
The intention being the spread of panic and confusion amongst the civilian population, reducing their ability and willingness to resist.

At least that's my take.

#Edit
Before anyone asks, yes, I would include the 1000 bomber raids, atomic bombs, Guernica and various other 'military' actions under that definition.

 

[Instant K4rma]

I define terrorism as an act of violence from one country to another when the country executing the act of violence believes they are doing the right thing by their viewpoints. Example: 9-11. The terrorists who crashed the planes believed they were doing their country and their god justice, and that they would be rewarded for it. Im not saying they are good people; they killed thousands, but from their viewpoint, they are heroes in their country. They had an enemy, they attacked that enemy.

 

[Killing_Time]

Terroism is defined as acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong. Although these groups have no formal connection with governments, they usually have the financial and moral backing of sympathetic governments. Typically, they stage unexpected attacks on civilian targets, including embassies and airliners, with the aim of sowing fear and confusion.

 

[Dr. Nerfball]

Terrorism: Bad shit. I honestly think that sums it up.

Actually, that's insensitive innit? Okay then, here goes my real opinion:

Terroism is defined as acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong. Although these groups have no formal connection with governments, they usually have the financial and moral backing of sympathetic governments. Typically, they stage unexpected attacks on civilian targets, including embassies and airliners, with the aim of sowing fear and confusion.

Which be true! Although their tactics generally cause military crackdowns leading to more terrorism... vicious cycle really...

 

[ace_of_something]

Uwe Boll movies.

 

[Crazy Elf]

I define terrorism as an act of violence from one country to another when the country executing the act of violence believes they are doing the right thing by their viewpoints. Example: 9-11.

But the 9-11 hijackers weren't working for the Saudi Arabian government. Is it still terrorism if country isn't part of the equation?

 

[Azetheros]

I define terrorism as an act of violence from one country to another when the country executing the act of violence believes they are doing the right thing by their viewpoints. Example: 9-11. The terrorists who crashed the planes believed they were doing their country and their god justice, and that they would be rewarded for it. Im not saying they are good people; they killed thousands, but from their viewpoint, they are heroes in their country. They had an enemy, they attacked that enemy.

How are al-Qaeda a country? Bear in mind that it wasn't the Taliban (who I am told kind of hated al-Qaeda, as they lived in their own places with their own laws and didn't obey the Taliban's strict codes) but al-Qaeda who was behind 9/11. Al-Qaeda don't have a nation. They are generally disliked by nations because they erode a nation's sovereignty. Besides, that makes most wars terrorism. The US' response was also, by that definition, terrorism. In fact, it was moreso than 9/11; at least the invasion of Afghanistan was done by a country.

Terroism is defined as acts of violence committed by groups that view themselves as victimized by some notable historical wrong. Although these groups have no formal connection with governments, they usually have the financial and moral backing of sympathetic governments. Typically, they stage unexpected attacks on civilian targets, including embassies and airliners, with the aim of sowing fear and confusion.

This is a less problematic definition, but I would like to posit the argument that Professor Faisal Devji makes in his much under-appreciated book, Landscapes of the Jihad, that al-Qaeda is less like, say, the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq (a minority that has been wronged repeatedly by history and resorts to terrorism) and more like an environmental movement, in that both are supra-national organizations with ethical, rather than political goals (bin Laden himself has claimed that the enemy is not the US, but "global Crusaderism.")

(Sorry, I'm in college and actually had the fortune to study under the aforementioned professor. I've read a (sadly) obscure book. ^^')

 

[Phyroxis]

Terrorism: The tactic our governments use to keep us afraid of others, generally getting us to sheep along and comply with whatever new measure TO KEEP US SAFE they come up with.-- To the point in which we start to give up fundamental freedoms in exchange for perceived security.

Al-Queida is not a threat, promise.

 

[BubbleGumSnareDrum]

An act by any individual, organization, government or military carried out deliberately with the intention of instilling fear in one or more groups/nations of people.

People like to pretend that it's only terrorism when "they" do it, and really, "we" are "they." The US government and military aren't any less terroristic than any of the organizations they label as terrorists, and are disturbingly guilty of psychological terrorism, IE a fear campaign against their own people.

 

[darfjono]

"One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

 

[santaandy]

Using violent means to inflict fear upon civilian or otherwise innocent people. Politics and personal goals are not part of it. That's one of the reasons freedom fighters are not terrorists, they have political/personal goals. They also don't (usually) target civilians, and they stop when they're done. Terrorists don't.

 

[Chickenlittle]

If they're willing to kill civilians to have a chance to even injure an enemy, I call that terrorism.

If they threaten to kill civilians, I call that terrorism.

If they suicide bomb, I call that terrorism.

If they use illegal weaponry, i.e. gas, I call that terrorism.

I think you get the idea.

 

[kaziard]

I always saw it like this
Terrorists are rebels that end up losing the war
Freedom Fighters are rebels that end up winning the war.

 

[Hazy]

I consider Terrorism to be: Using Fear or Terror tactics to obtain something or get a point across.

 

[Nargleblarg]

ter·ror·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈter-ər-ˌi-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1795
: the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

Did I win yet?

 

[new_age_reject]

One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.

 

[Sockerbit]

Shooting a soldier patrolling the streets or bombing a military base, that's warfare. Depending the tactics, it might become guerrilla warfare. Examples; Bombing the pentagon, warfare. Flying a plane into the pentagon, guerrilla warfare.

Shooting a civilian simply for living in the country or in an area, that's terrorism not matter what kind of tactics you use. Examples; Bombing the WTC towers, terrorism. Flying a plane in the WTC towers, terrorism.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

Bastards being bastard coated bastards with bastard filling to other bastard coated bastards with bastard filling, and some nice people too