When Religion Is Behind Attacks on Religious Places
On 2 October, 2025, in an incident involving car ramming and stabbing, a British Citizen of Syrian descent, attacked Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in Manchester. Two Jewish people were killed and three seriously injured. The name of the suspect, who was shot by the police, suggests that he was from the Islamic faith.
The background is the Gaza war started by Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 followed by mass killing of Gaza people by the Israeli army. Despite some recent hope of a peace plan proposed by President Trump of USA, the slaughter continues. This is a war between followers of two world religions, Islam and Judaism (Jewish faith).
According to the World Population Review (2023), about 85% of the people identify themselves with a religion. The question in the background is about the role of religious ideologies, otherwise meant for the benefaction of humankind, which can fan the flames of such hatred against fellow human beings. One argument is that If religion did cause terrorism, there would be a lot more terrorist attacks committed in the name of religion. We are told that religion is not a direct cause of terrorism, but it can be used as a justification for terrorism. To say that any religion is inherently evil and a harbor for violence is unfair and wrong, as this denies the individuals the Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Islam, Judaism and Christianity are sister Abrahamic faiths. Juergensmeyer (2017) states that many Muslims, Christians, and Jews regard their religion as a peaceful one. That, to solely focus on religion as a cause for terrorism can cause more harm than good to practicing civilians. Another suggestion is that, instead of seeing religion as a source of terrorism, future research should explore the misrepresentation and perversion of religion.
Counter arguments can be put against the above position. If a religious ideology can be used as justification for violence, discrimination or cruel practices like widow-burning (sati) or caste-based untouchability, killing and kidnapping civilians in a religious war, then there is a problem with that ideology. Re-interpretation may not solve the problem only open rejection by the religious preachers and leaders concerned would do. Even literal interpretation of religious texts should not lead to intolerance and violence. If religions are for peace, then they should be able to co-exist peacefully. However, the reality over the centuries is the opposite. Millions of followers have been killed in wars crusades and jihads in the name of religion.
Guru Nanak Sahib directed all followers of religions to interpret their ideologies to accord with universal human values. Wherever he went, He felt the need and addressed, the brahmin, the yogi, the sidh, the sanyasi, the pundit, the Muslim etc and preached the true universal message of their chosen path, often in their own language. Without compassion religion fails in its main objective.
The message of religion should be loud, clear, consistent, unequivocal and universal. The message can only be of love for all fellow beings and creation of One Creator Being promoting equality of all. If that is not the continual message from temples, gurdwaras, mosques, churches and synagogues, then religion fails in its main objective. Attacks on places of worship are likely to continue.
Guru Nanak Sahib left no doubt about the Message of His Panth (religious path) so that every Sikh concludes his supplication by praying for, Sarbat da bhalaa, the good of all.
Gurmukh Singh OBE
E-mail: sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk
https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurmukh_Singh_OBE