Background Analysis:Introduction:Terrorism is used around the world to create fear and influence the public's political opinions (Siegel, 489). There are four visions of terrorism: the psychological vision, the socialization vision, the ideological vision and the alienation vision. A religious terrorist would most likely fit an ideological vision. From this perspective, the terrorist feels the need to change an erroneous opinion and believes that because he sacrifices himself for something he believes so strongly, it justifies the damage and harm caused to innocent people (Siegel, 490). They use terror to create fear in all those who oppose them and attract followers to their religion. In short, terrorism is largely used for political reasons, but religion is also linked to violence. Religious Terrorism Around the World: Terrorism has existed for centuries, and religious violence has existed for just as long. (Hoffmann, 2). However, the violence has never been classified as terrorism. It was only until the 19th century that religion was able to justify terrorism (Hoffman, 2). Since then, religious terrorism has been motivated and inspired by an ideological vision (Hoffman, 3). Therefore, it turned against the main purpose of religion and more towards the views of extremists and what is happening politically (Winchester, 4). Most religions specify that violence is not permitted and yet extremists will cause major destruction in the name of their own religion. God. However, some are too quick to blame religion for terrorism (Winchester, 2). In reality, it is the nature of human beings to prove that their way is right, their way of doing so is through fear and destruction (Winchester, 3). It's not religion that causes terror...... middle of paper ......s for broader American policy. " Rand Corporation. Rand, September 15, 2010. Web. October 9, 2013. .Siegel, Larry. Essentials of Criminal Justice. Seventh. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Winchester, Donald. “Terror: Can We Blame Religion? » “Religious Terrorism: An Evolving Explanation.” Patheos. April 3, 2012. PBS “What is Religious Activism and Its Relationship to Terrorism? org. GlobalConnections: The Middle East 2002. Web November 3. 2013