International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue X, October 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Christian Response to Terrorism in Kenya: A Case of The Gospel of Luke 6:27-31
Rev. Dr. Manya Stephen
Alupe University, Busia, Kenya
Abstract: Terrorism is an Anxiety inspiring Method of repeated violent action, employed by (Semi-) clandestine individual, group, or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby – in contrast to assassination – the direct targets of violence are not the main targets. The immediate human victims of violence are generally chosen randomly (targets of opportunity) or selectively (representative or symbolic targets) from a target population, and serve as message generators. This paper explores if non-resistance, Christian pacifism or non-violence on the part of the victim should be or is a viable option in the face of terror. The immediate human victims of violence are generally chosen at random and include Christians who are ostensibly guided by the teachings found in the biblical Sermon on the Plain. In this teaching found in the Gospel of Luke (6:27-31), as part of his command to “love your enemies”’ Jesus Says:… but I say to unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you. And unto him that smitteth thee on one cheek offer also the other…The Gospel of Mathew 5: 39 is more descriptive of the expected Christian response…but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn to them the other check also… To respond to the challenges highlighted by the listed options, the paper has largely applied the use of desk research methodologies comprising of the examination of available literature on terrorism as well as existing, potential Christian responses to help situate this current study within the context of existing evidence. It is hoped that the discussions generated by this paper will benefit practitioners in the areas of governance, public policy formulators and comparative religion.
Key words: Terrorism, Christian teachings.
I. INTRODUCTION
Background information
The history of Terrorism dates back to the Sicarii who were a first century Jewish group. They murdered their enemies and collaborators in their campaign to oust their Roman rulers from Judea. On the other hand the Hashhashin, whose name gave us the English word “assassins,” were a secretive Islamic sect active in Iran and Syria from the 11th to the 13th century. Their dramatically executed assassinations of Abbasid and Seljuk political figures terrified their contemporaries, (Chaliand,2007). Zealots and assassins were not, however, really terrorists in the modern sense. Terrorism is best thought of as a modern phenomenon. Its characteristics flow from the international system of nation-states, and its success depends on the existence of a mass media to create an aura of terror among many people. Jongman (1988) observes that terrorism is an anxiety inspiring method of repeated violent action,