HAVING NO FEAR OF DEATH OR THE ENEMY DRIVES RELIGIOUS TERRORISM

The Bible has God telling his people not to be put off by fear of the enemy. Reason says you should handle your enemy but give fear its proper place. Being too confident is bad for you and especially for the enemy. Without fear your war will go out of control and you will not be restrained by it.

“Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people” says God in Ezekiel 2:6.

“Do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them” (Numbers 14:9) and “Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today” (Deuteronomy 23:5).

It is important not to want war to happen but recommending against fear and saying God protects amounts to annulling this reluctance.

Suicide bombings and religious wars would not happen unless fear was anesthetised by faith in God's love and loyalty. Even death is seen as not being really death but just a temporary departure.

How does that fit the claim that it is fear that drives hate and violence?

People look at God supposedly working for good and it seems like the good is just chance or any real benefits could be centuries away.  Some twisted people would look over a concentration camp and say that God is bigger than evil meaning that there is more good behind the screen of suffering and blood than you would think.  Talk about condescending.

Now most of those who wage war think we haven't got centuries to wait.  Such a thought does nothing to stop fear.  People of faith fear cancer despite thinking death is not the end and God is with them.

Fear without faith in a God means you know that waging war can make things worse.  That should put you off.  There is nothing to keep things under some control.  Faith can dull your response and cause you to behave even worse than you do.  If it does not dull it, it will lead to, "God has no plans to do his wonderful plans yet and it is his will that I fear things despite believing in it.  My fear is real for I have needs now."  It will not stop fear from making you do something appalling.  So with faith in God you cannot really win.