ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) emerged out of the state collapse of civil strife that followed the 2003 Iraqi War and the 2011 Syrian conflict. It emerged at the outset to protect Sunni civilians who were not being protected in Syria and Iraq. ISIL has since proclaimed itself a caliphate, claiming exclusive political and theological authority over the world’s Muslims.
So why would ISIL orchestrate terrorist attacks in Paris? ISIL desires to engulf the whole world in a Muslim holy war to the death. Such a nightmare would according to the ISIL narrative, ultimately lead to a world wide Caliphate and the purposes of Allah realized on earth.
Clearly our government and military should be and are mobilized to protect this nation. But what are disciples of Jesus in his Church to do in the face of such violence ? I find Fareed Zakaria’s words very helpful: ”Terrorism is unique because it depends for its effectiveness on the response of the onlookers. If we are not terrorized it doesn’t really work.” Zakaria , as far as I know is not Christian , but his words support the words of Jesus: “ Fear not. “
Ungodly fear in this country is tempted to stereotype a billion Muslim people, forgetting that whereas fewer than two hundred Americans and/or Europeans have been killed by ISIL, tens of thousands middle eastern Muslims have already died fighting ISIL . Stereotyping serves fear and alienates us from people with names who live right down the street from us. This is exactly what ISIL wants to happen; the spread of distrust, fear and war around the globe.
We embody the confident counter-terrorism of the one who shed his blood, not our blood and not the blood of the enemy. Fear disables Christ’s love in us. Not only that fear disables courage. When courage is disabled all of the virtues are disabled. For courage activates love for the enemy, hospitality to the needy and concern for the immigrants. Without faith and courage we will buy guns and hunker down. A bunker strategy does not represent the Living Lord of the universe. Draw near to God. Then act as the counter-terrorism agents of Jesus the crucified King. “Wage the peace!”