Terror attacks and the confusing role of religion

It is time to address the elephant in the room - that religion is being used to justify terror attacks

Well-wishers paying respects to victims outside a hospital in Christchurch on March 16 after the mosque shootings. Religious leaders must not deny that religions can motivate violence, says the writer.
Well-wishers paying respects to victims outside a hospital in Christchurch on March 16 after the mosque shootings. Religious leaders must not deny that religions can motivate violence, says the writer. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

There have been too many acts of terrorism in the name of religion since the late 1990s, when then United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright released a report saying that more than half of the 30 most dangerous terrorist groups in the world then were religion-based.

The violent situation does not seem to have abated over the last two decades, going by the regular reports of violent acts carried out by perpetrators in the name of their religion.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 23, 2019, with the headline Terror attacks and the confusing role of religion. Subscribe