Why do some refer to terrorists as 'cowardly'?

Their actions are cowardly, as blowing yourself up to maim and kill others is not a good way to get their (twisted) agenda across.

Note: this is by no means a justification of any forms of terrorism.

However. I often see politicians and others refer to suicide bombings as 'cowardly', referring to the perpetrators as 'cowards', etc.

Is this really accurate? As terrible as these acts are, can we really say that blowing oneself up is "lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted"?

I don't think so. I think that to do such a thing requires immense bravery. NOT that it is acceptable in any way shape or form. Any thoughts?

I see what you mean and have thought about it myself. The thing is though that these people are so brainwashed that they believe they will be in paradise moments after clicking the button or whatever. They do not risk being injured (they die instantly), or captured and they wage war on the defenceless and believe (until it is too late) that they will be with Allah in a matter of seconds. In a way the same applies for suicide. An act of courage might be seen as taking the choice which will be to the ultimate benefit of those around you (even if it is the difficult choice). Someone who sees no meaning to their existance might easily overdose or jump off a bridge but this is not necessarily an example of courage. Courage would be facing problems and trying to perservere to improve one's lot. So if you see cowardice as an absence of courage I believe suicide bombers - and to a lesser extent those who commit suicide normally - are cowards.

Terrorists come in all sorts of shapes and sizes - and beliefs. Is an Eta terrorist cowardly, or a unionist/republican terrorist cowardly - or going back to the past - a Mau mau terrorist cowardly?

Do you think the terrorists who blew themselves up in London were showing courage then?

Anyone who commits suicide for whatever reason is either suffering from some sort of mind imbalance or is so dejected that they can see no other way out of a predicament than to end their lives.

Does that require courage?

It would be more justified if 'we' (or our pols, governments and armed forces in our name) weren't equally guilty of the same cowardice.

I agree, the "allied coalition" showed as much cowardice as anyone else by bombing Iraq to sh*t regardless of the death of thousands and thousands of innocents.

Ignoring the fact that this was one of the least bloody wars in modern history.

I am sure that piece of news will delight the 100,000 innocent Iraqis who have lost their life since the invasion began.

It will also delight the people who made up the statistic you just used. Funny how you're willing to believe discredited information as long as it supports your point of view.

It will also delight the people who made up the statistic you just used. Funny how you're willing to believe discredited information as long as it supports your point of view.

Note: this is by no means a justification of any forms of terrorism.

However. I often see politicians and others refer to suicide bombings as 'cowardly', referring to the perpetrators as 'cowards', etc.

Is this really accurate? As terrible as these acts are, can we really say that blowing oneself up is "lacking courage; ignobly timid and faint-hearted"?

I don't think so. I think that to do such a thing requires immense bravery. NOT that it is acceptable in any way shape or form. Any thoughts?

I am sure that piece of news will delight the 100,000 innocent Iraqis who have lost their life since the invasion began.

I am sure that piece of news will delight the 100,000 innocent Iraqis who have lost their life since the invasion began.