What does it mean to be a terrorist?

Question

I think I might be wording my question wrong, but let me attempt to clarify. Ever since 9/11 I hear alot of talk about terrorists, and itseems like the word is being used to describe anyone whose ideas oppose your own. Obviously we can agree that those blowing up buildings with people or maiing anthrax or taking hostages are terrorist, but I'm hearing people who are homosexual to people that excercise their patriotic right to patician their government for this nations well-being, being called a terrorists. It seems like the term is no longer defined as dangerous individuals but just different individuals. So my question is who would you consider a terrorist. Would a graffiti artist be a terrorist? Please help me clarify this before the word becomes another dangerous ambiguity.

Answer 1

to care less for human life than you do your own desires.

Answer 2

I think a lot of the problem is that "terror," "terrorist," and "terrorism" are now highly loaded words. They retain original meaning, but - since 2001 - to apply the label to any group means that the only logical next course of action involves the Marines. It's almost impossible to use these words without implicitly expressing support for the War on Terror.

Some of the media obviously disagrees with the War on Terror, while others agree. I think the vast majority are trying to stay neutral. Unfortunately for them, the War on Terror is just too big to not have an opinion on

Answer 3

Well, lets first definition the term, and go from there.Terrorism is defined as: "The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons". So unless someone is making threats or is engaging in violent activities in the name of homosexuality, then I'd say the word is being used in an incorrect manner.

Answer 4

In all simplicity, a terrorist is someone who causes terror. There are, admitted, certain levels of terror, but all in all, a bully is in the exact same category as a gang member, and both are right behind Osama bin Laden.

Answer 5

a terrorist to one person is a martar to another. look at the situation in lebanon, in the west hezbollah are considered terrorists, in lebanon and many other places they are freedom fighters. But i think the word terrorist is supposed to apply to certain violent organisations not a graffiti artist

Answer 6

FBI definitions of Terrorism:

There is no single, universally accepted, definition of terrorism. Terrorism is defined
in the Code of Federal Regulations as “...the unlawful use of force and violence against
persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or
any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” (28 C.F.R.
Section 0.85)
i
FBI POLICY
AND
GUIDELINES

Answer 7

A radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities.

Answer 8

Terrorists are people who are fanatical about thier political and/or religous beliefs. They think everyone not on thier "team" has to go.

Answer 9

George Washington was the original N. American terrorist; gorilla warfare against organised troops of the legitimate government, what was that?
It all depends whose side your on and only the winners write history.

Answer 10

A terrorist is someone who comes on T.V. and tells his people to "Be Afraid" and uses fear of terrorist to complete his corporate elite's agenda.

Answer 11

to me, a terrorist is someone who uses violence to spread terror to get his or her way or intimidate someone else.

i wish people knew when to use words and when to grab a dictionary and find a word that actually fits the description. sigh, vocabularily challenged America