Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis (1952)
If this was written about anybody other than God, they would be defined as a dictator, someone with an absolute, over-bearing power. The dictionary quantifies this term as a leader that uses, and sometimes abuses their position exerting an extraordinary amount of personal power and consider themselves above the laws of the land.
In the name of God (or whatever deity is head of a particular faith) is a phrase that is often chanted by devout followers and therefore could be used as justification in order to get followers to do almost anything. Modern day religious terrorist, suicide bombers and the like are simply martyrs that have taken things to another level. A martyr is someone that suffered persecution and death for the refusal to accept the demands of an influence outside their faith. Throughout history most are considered holy and as a symbol of heroism they are respected, as are a lot of those that are responsible for the religious based atrocities that are occurring around the world of late. They are not only revered as people that, despite knowing the risks are totally committed to the cause and believe that they are justified in their actions.
My dilemma is that I can never fathom if their belief that this is the right course the actual teachings of their religious texts, their own interpretations or the influence of others within the religion (or organisation) convincing them to take such action.
If it is implicit instructions connected to God (or whoever is the top-dog of the religious faith that is followed) then given the enormity of the devastation caused by these actions to fellow man, is that really someone who is worthy of following? If it is their personal interpretation of the teachings within their faith then where was their God in preventing their actions. However, if it was the influence of another (or a group), then they should be held just as accountable.