“All I Wanted Was to Get My Mail”

“I WILL never forget that Monday morning at the post office,” reflected Andre, a white South African-born man living in Namibia. “The place was jam-packed with people. I saw a suspicious bag left unattended nearby. I asked for my mail and left. After driving for only about three minutes, I heard a tremendous blast. I later learned that a bomb had exploded a few feet from where I had been standing.”

“All I wanted was to get my mail,” explained Andre. “But to realize later that innocent people, a number of whom I knew, were blown to pieces was a great shock. I still shudder, even though this occurred over 25 years ago. At times, I have recollections of the carnage I later saw and realize how close to death I came.”

A Global Problem

While you may never come that close to such an attack, you have likely heard that similar incidents are occurring often around the world. More and more people are resorting to violence, commonly called terrorist acts, to achieve their aims.​—See the box “Who Are Terrorists?” on the next page.

An investigative journalist found that in 1997 there were “only four countries where a sustained campaign of suicide attacks had taken place.” But in 2008 this same researcher wrote that “more than thirty countries located on every continent save for Australia and Antarctica have experienced the devastating consequences of suicide attacks.” He concluded that such attacks are “executed by more and more organizations, which kill a greater number of people every year.”​—The Globalization of Martyrdom.

Consider the attack referred to at the outset. The group that took responsibility for planting the bomb considered themselves freedom fighters. They were striving to gain independence from the government that then ruled their country. But what motivates people to do such things to achieve their goals? Consider the experience of Hafeni.

Hafeni was born in Zambia and grew up in refugee camps in neighboring countries. “I was furious,” he said, “at the brutal and unfair way my family and others had been treated.” So he became part of the militant group to which his parents belonged.

Looking back on those times, Hafeni continued: “The saddest part of the story was the emotional impact of living as a refugee. Children were torn from their mothers, fathers, and siblings. The older ones were off fighting. Many of these older ones never returned. I never saw my father, not even in a photo. All I knew was that he had died in the fighting. The emotional scars remain with me to this day.”

Clearly, the issues are complex. Having a better understanding of them will help you realize what has to be achieved if mankind is ever to see an end to such violence.

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WHO ARE TERRORISTS?

Researcher Mark Juergensmeyer explains: “Whether or not one uses ‘terrorist’ to describe violent acts depends on whether one thinks that the acts are warranted. To a large extent the use of the term depends on one’s world view: if the world is perceived as peaceful, violent acts appear as terrorism. If the world is thought to be at war, violent acts may be regarded as legitimate.”

So, there are often political implications when the term “terrorist” is used. Many groups consider themselves to be freedom fighters, not terrorists. According to one writer, terrorism involves (1) acts aimed at noncombatants and (2) the use of violence for dramatic purpose, namely to instill fear. Therefore, militants​—regardless of whether they are a group of insurgents or a civil government—​may often use terrorist tactics or methods.

Why Some Resort to Violence

JOSEBA, who lives in Spain, was asked why he became a member of a militant group. “The oppression and injustice we suffered at the time became unbearable,” he said. “In the large city of Bilbao, where I lived, the police would come in, beat up people, and arrest them.”

Joseba continued: “I was arrested one morning for expressing my feelings about such police tactics. I was so angry that I wanted to do something​—something violent if necessary—​to remedy the situation.”

Oppression and Revenge

While not justifying violence, the Bible acknowledges that “oppression may make a wise one act crazy,” that is, in an irrational manner. (Ecclesiastes 7:7) Many become outraged when they are mistreated on the basis of their race, religion, or nationality.

For instance, Hafeni, mentioned in the preceding article, said: “Our land was taken from us by exploitation. Animals fight for their territories, so it seemed natural for us to fight for our land and our rights.” One militant suicide bomber in a statement published after his death said: “Until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people we will not stop this fight.”

Religious Motivations

Though militants are often motivated by secular causes, they frequently engage in violent acts for religious reasons. A world leader received this fax from a militant spokesman: “We are not crazy neither are we in love with power. We are in service of God and that’s why we are strict in our position.”

Concerning religious motivation, Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon wrote in their book The Age of Sacred Terror: “In a world turning more religious, more adherents of the great faiths and new, burgeoning cults are placing violence at the heart of their beliefs.” Another researcher, after documenting a number of what he called “spectacular acts of terrorism across the globe,” observed: “All are united in the belief on the part of the perpetrators that their actions were divinely sanctioned, even mandated, by God.”

But many religious militants have extreme viewpoints that do not reflect the traditional teachings and values of the religion with which they are associated.

Etched Into Hearts

Joseba, mentioned earlier, was badly abused when he was arrested. He said: “The brutality convinced me that my hatred was justified. If I had to die to bring changes, it would be worth it.”

Often what is taught in the group adds to the members’ reasons for engaging in violence. “During our time in refugee camps,” said Hafeni, “there were rallies that taught us that the whites were constantly conceiving ways and means to dominate the blacks.” What was the result?

“I could feel my hatred for whites growing,” he added. “I distrusted all of them. Eventually, I couldn’t stand it, and I thought our generation must do something.”

Surprisingly, despite such strong positions, both Joseba and Hafeni changed their entrenched feelings of hatred and distrust. What was it that reached their minds and hearts? The following article will explain.

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“The brutality convinced me that my hatred was justified. If I had to die to bring changes, it would be worth it.”​—Joseba

Is a World Without Terrorism Possible?

“WE NEED to be struggling . . . for hearts and minds.” That was the conclusion reached after a 20-year review of the personality profiles of so-called terrorists.

But what can change the hearts and minds of people who have been deeply involved in violent and vengeful activity?

A Book That Can Change the Heart

During the 1990’s, Hafeni began to examine his own religious beliefs and decided to obtain a Bible. He said: “I started by examining the Gospels [the Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John], which contain the life story of Jesus. As I read, I was quickly attracted to the personality of Jesus and his kind and impartial way of dealing with people. This warmed my heart.”

Hafeni said that when he read further, “one passage from the Bible really hit home​—Acts 10:34 and 35.” It reads: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”

“I concluded,” Hafeni said, “that it is people themselves who are responsible for tribalism, nationalism, and racial prejudices. I came to realize that the Bible’s message can change people’s thinking and that the most important thing in life is having a good standing with God. This is more important than fighting in behalf of people of a particular tribe, race, or color.”

Joseba, quoted in the preceding article, was the head of a small commando group that planned to blow up a police station. “But before we could carry out this attack,” explained Joseba, “I was arrested and spent two years in prison.” Later, his wife, Luci, began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Eventually Joseba joined those discussions.

“As I learned more about Jesus,” reflected Joseba, “he became my role model. One of his statements really touched me, namely: ‘All those who take the sword will perish by the sword.’ I knew this was true.” (Matthew 26:52) Joseba acknowledged: “Assassinating someone only provokes hatred and a desire for revenge by the family members. Violence brings only pain, not a better world.” Joseba began to make adjustments in his thinking.

Both Hafeni and Joseba learned through personal experience that Bible teachings can powerfully affect one’s life. The Bible says that “the word of God is alive and exerts power” and that it can discern the “intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The power of God’s Word has helped many to adjust their thinking and actions. But is there evidence that global unity exists among those who truly practice Bible teachings?

A Brotherhood Based on Love

When Hafeni began attending meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was deeply moved by the racial harmony he observed. “Sitting next to white people was an absolute thrill,” he said. “I never thought that in my lifetime I would get the opportunity to call a white man brother. This cemented my conviction that the Witnesses must have the true religion, for they had the unity among themselves that I longed for and had love for each other despite racial differences.”

Jesus said that his true followers would be identified by having ‘love among themselves.’ (John 13:34, 35) He also refused to take part in political conflicts and told his disciples: “You are no part of the world.” (John 6:15; 15:19; Matthew 22:15-22) Love and neutrality were marks of true Christianity then, even as they are today.

Applying What Jesus Taught

But how can love survive in spite of the divisive forces that breed terrorism? When political issues cause hostilities, loyalty to race, nation, or ethnic roots often pits one person​—or nation—​against another.

For instance, back in 1914, ethnic pride moved Gavrilo Princip to assassinate Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Princip was a member of an organization called the Black Hand, which, according to its constitution, preferred “revolutionary struggle rather than . . . cultural striving” in pursuing its goals. The assassination sparked war between so-called Christian nations, leading to World War I and the death of millions of combatants who claimed to follow Jesus, the “Prince of Peace.”​—Isaiah 9:6.

After the war ended, a prominent clergyman, Harry Emerson Fosdick, denounced professed Christian leaders for not teaching their members to follow Jesus’ example. “We have bred men for war,” he wrote. “We have made warriors our heroes and even in our churches we have put the battle flags.” Fosdick concluded: “With one corner of our mouth we have praised the Prince of Peace and with the other we have glorified war.”

In contrast, a sociological study published in 1975 stated: “Jehovah’s Witnesses have consistently maintained their stand of nonviolent ‘Christian neutrality’ through two major world wars and the subsequent military clashes of the ‘Cold War’ period.” Even though the Witnesses were mistreated and imprisoned, they “never responded with violence.” The study concluded: “The teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses stem from their conviction that the Bible is the inspired word of God.”

Value of Applying Bible Teachings

When a former prime minister of Belgium received from a neighbor a book about the life of Jesus entitled The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, he was deeply moved by what he read. “It is evident that if people would be more interested in the message of the Gospel and put into practice the principles of Jesus Christ,” he wrote to the neighbor, “the world today would look completely different.”

“We would not need a Security Council,” he added, “nor would there be terrorist attacks, [and] violence would be banned.” Yet, he concluded: “All of this is wishful thinking.” But is it really? Even now, in the midst of a world saturated with violence, the Bible has helped many individuals of all backgrounds to reject the use of violence and to overcome the bitter resentment that builds when people live through decades of wanton bloodshed.

As described in our opening article, Andre was almost killed by a bomb that took the lives of several of his friends. It had been planted by a militant group. He subsequently learned of and applied the Bible advice that one should ‘freely forgive.’ (Colossians 3:13) Later, Hafeni, who years after that bombing became a member of that same group, learned to apply Bible principles and renounced violence. (Psalm 11:5) Now both are Jehovah’s Witnesses and work together in a translation office of the Witnesses in an African country.

Confidence in a Secure Future

Millions of people worldwide are finding that study of the Bible builds in them confidence in a secure future. For example, one day Andre was showing a neighbor the Bible’s promise of a righteous new world. (Isaiah 2:4; 11:6-9; 65:17, 21-25; 2 Peter 3:13) Suddenly, soldiers with automatic weapons surrounded the house and ordered Andre to come out for questioning. After learning that Andre was a Bible teacher whom his neighbor greatly appreciated, the soldiers left.

Andre had just finished explaining that God will intervene in human affairs, as He did in the days of Noah, when “the earth [was] filled with violence.” (Genesis 6:11) God removed the world of that time by means of a global flood and preserved alive the peace-loving man Noah and his family. “Just as the days of Noah were,” Jesus said, “so the presence of the Son of man will be.”​—Matthew 24:37-39.

Jesus, “the Son of man,” is God’s chosen Ruler of the heavenly government called the Kingdom of God, and he will soon lead God’s heavenly forces in removing violence from the earth. (Luke 4:43) As heavenly King, Jesus will ‘be fair with everyone, and there will be peace.’ He will protect his subjects “from cruel and violent deaths.”​—Psalm 72:7, 14, Contemporary English Version.

Afterward, all who love what is right and who become subjects of this heavenly King will see the earth transformed into a peaceful paradise. (Luke 23:42, 43) “Peace and justice,” promises the Bible, will “rule every mountain and hill.”​—Psalm 72:1-3, CEV.

Would you not enjoy living in a world ruled by such a king? Indeed, that will be a world without terrorism.

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Both Hafeni and Joseba learned through personal experience that Bible teachings can powerfully affect one’s life

[Blurb on page 9]

‘If people put into practice the principles of Jesus Christ, the world today would look completely different. We would not need a Security Council, nor would there be terrorist attacks, and violence would be banned.’​—A former prime minister of Belgium

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Applying Bible principles helped Hafeni and Andre to have genuine love for each other