Mudercide by Michael Shermer

Mudercide by Michael Shermer

In today's news, hearing the term suicide bomber is not uncommon. Since the events of September 11, 2001 and the other prevalent events that take place in the Middle East, we have unfortunately become used to seeing the horrifying images. Shermer coins the term "mudercide" to describe the suicide bombers today. Murdercide is the killing of humans with malice aforethought by means of self-murder. Under most circumstances, suicide is carried out because of feelings of belonging and the need to feel effective and needed by others. This is also comes about from feelings of depression and no self worth. However, the people who died or sacrificed their lives on September 11th were not committing suicide, neither were the hijackers who carried out the horrific act according to Shermer. The idea that these hijackers are poor and uneducated is not correct; rather they are looked at the best of their society and valuable in their communities. This means that the excuse of not knowing better cannot be used in this situation. In these societies suicide is glamorized and they are looked at as celebrities, even appearing on posters. Many times, members of these groups join due to "group dynamics", the idea that if other people are doing it, it must be okay. This can be seen as a form of peer pressure, conformity and assimilation. An example of this can be seen in the suicide bombings in Spain. Shermer stresses that increasing civil liberties within these countries will help decrease the amount of terrorist activities that take place.

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