Originally Posted by BluewireBrian

There is a difference between freedom fighters and terrorists. "Freedom fighters" is not just a catch phrase.

A freedom fighter is someone who is opposed to a forced government taking their soveriegn right to rule themselves. Their methods can be guerrila or unorthodox, similar to terrorist methods, but it is towards an end. Their reasoning and justification is articluted by their leaders and their goals are made clear. The IRA, and the militants attacking Allied troops in Iraq are examples. The militants attacking other civilians on Iraq are engaging in civil war.

Now look at Al Qeada for example. What is the end to their means? They are doing these acts in the name of God. They are extreme fundamentalists mis-interpreting religious dogma. It began with the takeover of Palestine, but that message was lost to these extremists long ago. Now they enact violence because they believe it is a calling from God.

Just my humble opinion, but I think they're dillusional.