by Dr. G. A. Anderson

Created on: May 02, 2008

One of the most potent and effective ways to gain control over a person, a group, a country, or a world, is the use of terrorism. Terrorism is a way of creating havoc in the hearts and minds of other humans in order to gain control. It can take many forms. It exists because the fear it creates is a common human emotion in reaction to a threat - one to which no one is immune.

In countries such as Israel and the rest of the Middle East, as well as in many other areas around the world, the threat of terrorism exists on a daily basis. It is a fact of daily life. The knowledge that a bomb or other weapon could change or end life without warning, or that terrorists could make their presence known at a moment's notice, keeps people constantly on guard. Precautions are taken, but most people, especially in war-torn countries, know that despite their efforts, terrorism is still a threat. It exists because others want to impose their will, gain information, confiscate land, or rule a society. It exists because of the greed of human beings.

As humans seek to control others and impose their culture, they may resort to terrorism to make that happen. Sometimes other methods, such as religious or political attempts to persuade, fail and terrorism takes over. Control of others is sought for many reasons - world dominance in economic affairs, ideologies, religious views, natural resources - all factors in why some groups employ methods of terrorism. Sometimes when civilized methods of gaining control have failed to achieve change, terrorism may come to be the only method to use.

But others use terrorism, not as a last resort, but as the preferred method of gaining control through fear. Terrorist organizations prey on innocent human beings to achieve their radical goals. Their methods include many practices that are known to strike fear into the hearts of their victims. The very thought that one may lose their life at the hands of a terrorist creates enough fear in some cases that possible victims flee or surrender in order to escape the known, or sometimes unknown, consequences of terroristic activity.

People may not know exactly what acts of terrorism may be committed against them, but the fear that an unknown horrific act may occur is the greater act of terrorism. The threat of terrorism is more harmful than the actual terroristic act, in some situations. For instance, after September 11, 2001, the U.S. sought to protect our homeland in every way possible, sometimes restraining the freedoms of daily life we have been used to. On some level, terrorism won if we ceased living our lives on our own terms. In reality, the safety practices put into place restored much of our freedom, and our fears have been somewhat alleviated. We understand that we still need to be cautious and aware of our surroundings and those things that are out of the ordinary, but the immediate threat of terrorism in our country has been lowered to some extent in the years since 9-11.

Terrorism will always exist in our world. Having seen that it works to intimidate others into submission, those who are capable of committing terroristic acts will continue to use the same methods to dominate others. Greed will prompt them to impose their power over those whom they wish to control. Terrorism will be used by the evil and destructive in our world to attempt to overwhelm the desires of those who value freedom for themselves and for future generations.

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