Terrorism

This is a guideline and template. Please do NOT use as a final turn-in paper.

Terror is a state of intense fear according to Merriam Webster. Terrorism, Webster says, is the systematic use of terror (intense fear) especially as a means of coercion. This is probably the most objective, least biased definition we will find. "Ideology" means the theories and aims (of an organization) that constitute a sociopolitical program.

We must consider the fact that we do not know, and have no way of ever knowing, whether the Iranian elections were fair or corrupt. We cannot assume, when assigning blame for the government's response, that we know the truth and are making our judgment based on fact, even though we are aware that the Iranian government does support terrorism -- in Iraq for example. But, whether or not the elections were fair, is the Iranian government response a fair one?

Though part of the Islam ideology is to live in peace, Dr. Samuel Schlorff, an expert on Islam with Arab World Ministries, says, "The truth is that there is another side to Islam, a side that embraces violence 'in the way of Allah.'...and the "peace" they speak of, when translated correctly, means 'submission' or 'surrender.'" Thus, all nations must "surrender" to Islam.

Given their socio-political agenda and state-sponsored stand on terrorism, it would be difficult to believe that the government response was fair or reasonable in any way. That said, I would have difficulty defining it as terrorism in this particular case. However, ideological violence might fit the bill, given Dr. Schlorff's explanation of the true meaning of "peace" to the militaristic side of Islam. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 'the enemies of the nation' are fomenting post-election riots across the country." He is blaming the United States for causing the riots -- a country that, in the Islam mind, has not submitted to Allah and must therefore be forced to do so. Thus, the rioters, an extension of the U.S., must surrender to Allah.