Why when the word terrorist is mentioned most people think Islam/Muslim...?

Question

There are other groups you know........ Has the media influenced peoples thinking?

Answer 1

Bravo! Somebody who has sense. Muslims didn't invent terrorism and terrorism will continue even after we eradicate those people who call themselves Muslims (but they aren't real Muslims).
Oh and yes the media has influenced people's thoughts. However, we must remember that Americans always hate "somebody". Americans fear what they don't understand. It used to be the Japanese, Germans, Communists and Black people and so much more. Now it's Mexicans and Muslims. Who will be next?

Answer 2

Media influence has most definitely played a part. Every incident of Muslim or potentially Muslim terrorist is covered as such, but very rarely does an act by a non-Muslim get covered as Jewish, Christian, Hindu, etc. violence, if it gets covered at all.

Look at how little coverage the violence in Northern Ireland has received in the U.S. Belfast was ablaze on Orange Day in 2006, yet none of the major American media outlets covered it. The Protestant-Catholic clashes in East Timor were not reported as such, although much of this is due to the fact that they were not reported at all by many news sources. The Catholic riots after the executions of three terrorists in Indonesia were not covered, nor were most of the actions of the LRA in Uganda, the NLFT in India, etc. The Hindu attacks in Kashmir were hardly covered, but the Muslim ones were almost always covered. In Tyler, Texas, some Christian terrorists were found with massive amounts of explosives and ammunitions, along with fake ID's to government offices, yet this got almost no media coverage, despite the fact that had it been successful, it could have been the worst terrorist attack in American history. Had they been Muslim, I would bet that it would have been covered.

When people see a one-sided view of the issue, they are biased against a group. Imagine if one only saw acts of violence by Christians. http://kaleboy.livejournal.com/106252.html presents such a one-sided portrayal, which makes Christians look very bad, yet these are an extreme minority of Christians, much as the violent acts by Muslims are being committed by an extreme minority.

Answer 3

What would you like us all to think about when we hear the word terrorist? In the last few years, which groups have been the most aggressive and violent? Generally, worldwide it's the Muslim terrorist groups.

How dare those evil media report things that are happening around the world. We should be made to live in ignorance so that we can't refute the word of the churches or mosques.

Answer 4

Yes the media has major influence. Muslims are supposed to be the most peaceful people but this doesn't mean to deprive them from the right of self defense when their countries are invaded and their families were killed.

Answer 5

Yes, the media has influenced the way people think.

Currently, it's the terrorists from the Middle East who receive the most attention, therefore, they immediately come to mind.

A few years ago, the IRA (Northern Ireland) received a lot of media coverage, and when terrorism was mentioned, the same thing happened.

I'm sure those who live in Great Britain still think IRA when someone mentions terrorist. It all depends on where you live, and what it is that you are exposed to.

Answer 6

People fear what they don't understand. These days, you are right, most people think terror/Allah are interchangable words, thanks to the media and CNN is the worst. The best way to control people and to garner support for a leader or, say, a war is to make everyone collectively afraid of the same thing and then promise to protect them from it. Poor Muslims though, when extremists are blowing things up and chopping heads in the name of the peaceful god they worship. I would think it very hard to continue to follow religion's rules (turban/prayers/beard) living in this society.

Answer 7

Of course the media has influenced peoples' thinking! Anytime I step outside my house I get hateful stares simply because I'm a Muslim.

Answer 8

I do, and even though I know there are other groups of people who are terrorists also, I still naturally think of Islamic/Muslim people.

Anyone who says otherwise is lying through their teeth.

Answer 9

No not the media, but the USS Cole & 9/11

Answer 10

Yes, of course there's other groups. Finally someone who sees sense. Media is influential. Why are there so many advertisements on tv, in newspapers, etc, then?

Answer 11

Funny, when the word terrorist is mentioned I always have to think of a chimp in a suit ... don't know why though ...