Common grounds to promote peace against Jihad Antony Lazar, msc 12/12/08 Introduction: Terrorism is a common table-topic at public gatherings and family get-togethers. The cruelty and unreasonable perception of life of the terrorists result in frustration and haphazard conditions in societies. After witnessing a terrorist attack, the immediate emotions are always fear and anxiety. These emotions are followed by insecurity and helplessness, which lead us to speak ill about the terrorists and their behavior. It is an international problem. Innocent lives are offered in Holocaust. So many families who lost their loved ones in terrorist attacks have a heart full of hatred and anger against the ideology and persons behind the ideologies. This paper deals with the religious aspect of Jihad and its social implications in our modern societies. Religion and the concept of ‘Holy War’: Religion according to Webster’s Dictionary is any specific system of belief, worship, conduct etc., often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy. The etymology teaches us that religion was traditionally conceived of as a binding force between man and God. Religion is primarily a platform to meet God and all religion expresses this focus that man is in need of God. This focus compels us to face the next question: Why do we need God? The answer is simple and logical: We need God to be good and to become good since God is good. How far this truth is stretched is left to the respective religion a person follows. The Hindus, according to the scriptures and traditions, are naturally a peace-loving people. The good Hindu tries to love by good deeds, which was thought to help the believer achieve higher reincarnations, with nirvana as the ultimate goal. His bad and wicked ways will result in the worst form of reincarnations. Hindus believe that if you are a lesser being and do well in your present incarnation, your next incarnation will be better, and thus you will reach God (Nirvana or...