Religious Extremism Essay

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MUHAMAD ASYRAF BIN MUHAMAD TITLE : SOUTHEAST ASIAN MILITANT ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION Extremism 1. What is extremism? It is a complex phenomenon, although its complexity is often hard to see. Most simply, it can be defined as activities (beliefs, attitudes, feelings, actions, strategies) of a character far removed from the ordinary. [1] It is a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside the norms of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards. The term is invariably, or almost invariably, used pejoratively.[2] Extremism is usually contrasted with moderation. For example, in contemporary discussions in Western countries of Islam, or of Islamic political movements, it is common for there to be a heavy stress on the distinction between extremist and moderate Muslims. Generally, the term "extremist" is used to describe groups and individuals who have become radicalized, in some way, even though the term radical originally meant to go to the root of a (social) problem. It can refer to many character such religious, politic, ethnic or even among the activist. That is why the word "extremism" is not a stand-alone characteristic. The attitude or behavior of an "extremist" may be represented as being in a spectrum which ranges from mild interest through “obsession” to "fanaticism" and "extremism". 2. In this essay, we will focus more on the issues of Religious Extremism rather than discuss about the extremism at all. The rise of religious extremism was quite unanticipated by modernization theories prevalent a decade ago. The subject becomes more important not only in academia discussion, but also in the realm of international politics and security. Religious extremism can refer either to a process or to an institution.[3] God gives life meaning and direction for millions of people. This means that people
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