Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 64
Cults and Terrorism: Similarities and Differences
Christopher M. Centner
Abstract
Pundits and politicians have proposed many models to explain al Qaeda‘s
actions. One theory postulated for understanding terrorist organizations such
as al Qaeda is that the group might be like a cult. In this view, Usama bin
Laden is a controlling figure, and the members are disconnected from the
greater Islamic community. If this theory held, then it might be possible to
create a cultic model of terrorist groups in general and to understand their
behavior as more akin to a destructive religious movement than to a violent
political faction. This paper will explain that al Qaeda is a religiously spawned
movement that seeks to create an Islamic State, and even an Islamic World
Order. The paper will explain that al Qaeda, and most terrorist groups, are
not cults in the traditional sense. Al Qaeda has, however, some cult-like
attributes. This paper will also propose certain indicators that might be useful
in identifying religious movements that are careening toward terrorist
violence. Spelling of certain Arabic terms quoted in the text has, on occasion,
been standardized for ease of reading.
Smile in the face of death, oh young man!
For you are on your way to the everlasting paradise!
From the letter of instructions for the 11 September hijackers who murdered thousands
(Source: CBS News)
Defining Terms
One problem associated with understanding both terrorists and cults is that of finding a
proper definition for both terms. The U.S. legal definition for terrorist groups is not very
enlightening, stating essentially that terrorists are people who commit terror. The European
Union‘s definition is just a bit more helpful: ―a terrorist group is a ―structured organisation .
..of more than two persons, acting in concert to commit terrorist offences.‖ The offenses
range from murder and hostage-taking to damaging public property and urban violence,
committed with the aim of ―intimidating and seriously altering or destroying the political,
economic or social structures of countries‖ (BBC News, 20 September 2001).
A most useful definition of cult is
a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication
to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative
techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and
family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and
subservience, powerful group pressures, information management,
suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total
dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance
the goals of the group‘s leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of
members, their families, or the community. (West &Langone, 1986, 119-
120)
One can note immediately that cults can be terrorist groups and terrorist groups, cults.
However, the two can be distinguished by their strategic focus: by definition, one is
outward—what the entity does to non-members—while the other is inward—what it does to
members. While terrorist groups can use cultic methods, their goal is to achieve political
change, not to increase in size or wealth. Indeed, many terrorist groups tend to appreciate
Cults and Terrorism: Similarities and Differences
Christopher M. Centner
Abstract
Pundits and politicians have proposed many models to explain al Qaeda‘s
actions. One theory postulated for understanding terrorist organizations such
as al Qaeda is that the group might be like a cult. In this view, Usama bin
Laden is a controlling figure, and the members are disconnected from the
greater Islamic community. If this theory held, then it might be possible to
create a cultic model of terrorist groups in general and to understand their
behavior as more akin to a destructive religious movement than to a violent
political faction. This paper will explain that al Qaeda is a religiously spawned
movement that seeks to create an Islamic State, and even an Islamic World
Order. The paper will explain that al Qaeda, and most terrorist groups, are
not cults in the traditional sense. Al Qaeda has, however, some cult-like
attributes. This paper will also propose certain indicators that might be useful
in identifying religious movements that are careening toward terrorist
violence. Spelling of certain Arabic terms quoted in the text has, on occasion,
been standardized for ease of reading.
Smile in the face of death, oh young man!
For you are on your way to the everlasting paradise!
From the letter of instructions for the 11 September hijackers who murdered thousands
(Source: CBS News)
Defining Terms
One problem associated with understanding both terrorists and cults is that of finding a
proper definition for both terms. The U.S. legal definition for terrorist groups is not very
enlightening, stating essentially that terrorists are people who commit terror. The European
Union‘s definition is just a bit more helpful: ―a terrorist group is a ―structured organisation .
..of more than two persons, acting in concert to commit terrorist offences.‖ The offenses
range from murder and hostage-taking to damaging public property and urban violence,
committed with the aim of ―intimidating and seriously altering or destroying the political,
economic or social structures of countries‖ (BBC News, 20 September 2001).
A most useful definition of cult is
a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication
to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative
techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and
family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and
subservience, powerful group pressures, information management,
suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total
dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance
the goals of the group‘s leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of
members, their families, or the community. (West &Langone, 1986, 119-
120)
One can note immediately that cults can be terrorist groups and terrorist groups, cults.
However, the two can be distinguished by their strategic focus: by definition, one is
outward—what the entity does to non-members—while the other is inward—what it does to
members. While terrorist groups can use cultic methods, their goal is to achieve political
change, not to increase in size or wealth. Indeed, many terrorist groups tend to appreciate
