Is there a terrorist group fighting because of religion?

Answer 1

There are several terrorist groups who claim to be fighting because of religion - although whether you believe that is really their only motivation is up to you to decide. Some known terrorist groups who claim to be fighting based on religion include:

• Al Qaeda (transnational, Islamist)
• Aum Shinrikyo (renamed Aleph)(Japanese; various influences, including Hindu and Buddhist)
• Klu Klux Klan (U.S.; Christian)
• Abu Sayyaf(Philippines; Islamist)
• Egyptian Islamic Jihad
• Hamas (Palestinian; Islamist) (Hamas is designated by the U.S. and other governments as a terrorist group, but it is also the elected government of the Palestinian Authority)
• Hezbollah (Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other governments, but others argue it should be considered a movement, rather than a terrorist group)
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad
• Orange Volunteers (Irish Protestant); Infamous for carrying out simultaneous terrorist attacks on Catholic churches
• National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT); a rebel group operating in Tripura, North-East India. Has been described as engaging in terrorist violence motivated by their Christian beliefs.
• Lord's Resistance Army (Uganda); a cult guerrilla army engaged in an armed rebellion against the Ugandan government, has been accused of using child soldiers and committing numerous crimes against humanity; including massacres, abductions, mutilation, torture, rape, porters, and sex slaves. A quasi-religious movement that mixes some aspects of Christian and Islamic beliefs with its own brand of spiritualism.
• Army of God (US, Christian); anti-abortion group involved in attacks and bombings of abortion clinics and doctors. Justifies its actions based on its interpretation of Christianity.