What do you suggest would be an effective way to battle the hate that is at the heart of terrorism?

Question

(CNN) -- Lisa Gibson -- who lost her brother in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing -- sat down the other day with the man many blame for the notorious attack: Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

She was 18 years old when she lost her brother Kenneth James Gibson, who was a U.S. service member based in Germany when he was a passenger on the flight.

Gibson said she has tried to understand the terrorism emanating from certain parts of the world over the years and dedicated her life to build a "bridge of reconciliation" with Libya.
 
"At the heart of terrorism is hate and the only way to effectively battle that is with love," she said.
 
Gibson formed a group called the Peace and Prosperity Alliance, a non-governmental organization involved with business and educational projects in Libya.

She regards her group as a "conduit of change." Gibson said Libyans have been touched by her effort to forgive.

Gibson said her actions don't "undermine the losses or say it was OK." But she believes her slain brother would support her. She believes he'd think "I don't want my death to be in vain."

Kathleen Flynn, whose son died in the attack, said visiting Gadhafi is "something that I have trouble understanding. Then again, people handle grief in different ways. To each his own, that's the way she's confronted her grief."

Gibson said she is motivated by her faith and one of its overriding tenets -- forgiveness. However, she added that she isn't exonerating anybody.

"I need to forgive you. Only God knows if you are responsible," she said.

 http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/09/25/gadhafi.meeting/index.html

Pheemz · Accepted Answer

There was a very good series on TV a few years ago with Desmond Tutu bringing the truth and reconciliation process they used in South Africa after apartheid to Northern Ireland. It featured former terrorists meeting with the relatives of their victims. Was pretty powerful stuff.

It's the only way to go, though I admit it was a path I opposed for years. If we keep up the 'we're right, you're wrong' approach and refuse to talk to people then there's little else they can do but pursue their aims through violence. It's not a new idea, within a few years of WW2 ending the western allies were rebuilding German and Japan both in terms of civil infrastructure and military power. And the killed a hell of a lot more innocent civilians than every terror group in the world combines has managed.

fretkilr · Answer

I'm afraid World War III has it dead right, and you have it dead wrong. The USA has a demonstrable and proven history of targeting civilians and of instigating, funding, and backing terrorism. I could be here all day with the details, so instead I'll just advise you to look up Operation Cyclone, Operation Menu, Operation Ranch Hand, the shooting down of IranAir 655, the Mai Lai massacre, and the CIA's pet projects in Latin America Operation Condor & Operation Charlie. Then tell me with a straight face that the USA doesn't do terrorism & the murder of innocents. It does little else.

Plato · Answer

Prayer? It is difficult to be logical with fanatical terrorists but Lisa Gibson has shown some that forgiveness not only frees herself from the chains of hatred but can be a door into change!  When grief is raw this is not felt at the time. It's a shame more people aren't sympathetic with Israel who is suffering constant suicide missions and rockets, instead they are blamed! Today the victim is blamed and the world falls over backwards to say oh forgive the perpetrator- funny balance!
I believe in forgiveness it is not easy though when your on the receiving end!.

Anonymous · Answer

Forgiving is a nice thing, but im sorry. I just dont think all of the forgiving will put a end to terrorism. Society does not want to admit it, but there is a war of religions right now. This whole war on terror is based around religion. Its not country vs. country,  It is Christianity/Judaism vs Islam. This is exactly what Osama Bin Laden told the world Before 911 and After 911=that it was about religion and Christians/Westerners/Americans/The UK being in what he calls his Holy Land-Saudi Arabia. Yet the world refuses to listen to him or admit it. We are afraid that if we admit it, we will be seen as racist or not being politically correct.
Im not saying that Islam is 100% to blame, im not saying all Muslims are bad, but to deny there is a war in between our religions is kind of naive.

R T Fischall · Answer

its called a nuke. not into forgiveness for terrorists, sorry folks actually I'm not, they can all glow in the dark as far as I'm concerned.
As to g o d , one is rapidly coming to the conclusion that if faith helps some it most definately hinders others. 2k years and not so much as a postcard when is the supreme being coming back for an encore?
Fine she wanted and got what people call release the moving on part, some of us old codgers amongst others don't want release, we don't want healing therapy and we most certainly don't want to come into contact with the creatures responsible lest be it to send them to their maker. For some of us the dealing with this type of situation takes the form of just getting on with it eventually.

Anonymous · Answer

it is not hate but feeling of deprivation by people in power that breeds terrorism . 
terrorism is nothing new, in old kindoms guirrelas operated in jungles. Some guirrelas have captured power 
terrorism needs local support to continue hence it is not persons with guns but others also support

? · Answer

If the US and the UK could bring themselves to not automatically back Israel when it commits acts of massacre and genocide against the Palestinians and others it would be a huge first step.

World War III · Answer

i am afraid your country and mine have killed and murdered to many innocent people in countries that had nothing to do with anything to stop terrorism, instead we have cause more hate, and revenge will be in the heart of hate for generations to come

edit
the people who caused terrorist attacks are all dead, 
the people who are being murdered today for what happened years ago are in fact being MURDERED

call it what you will, what ever helps you sleep at night

Jesus would not agree with anything in the world today

hope your all ready, cause we all will have to answer to a higher power and we will all get what we deserve, Praise God

andyg77 · Answer

"People don't start wars, governments do."  Quote by Ronald Reagan

Anonymous · Answer

yeah kiss a terrorist week,


Faith that's just crazy enough to work.

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What do you suggest would be an effective way to battle the hate that is at the heart of terrorism?

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