A Critical Assessment of the Intersections between Faith and Terrorism in Morioka’s Life Studies

Abstract This article focuses on the links between faith and terrorism by exploring Masahiro Morioka’s life studies. I argue that his approach makes a valuable contribution to understanding how terrorism may originate and how it may be avoided. More generally, Morioka’s life studies also provide valuable food for thought for those who are interested in pondering what faith is, and its connection to truth. I take heart from the fact that ideas that were developed in a very different cultural context can resonate strongly with someone whose cultural background is very different, and I believe that searching for such commonality across different cultures is valuable in philosophy, religious studies, and other disciplines. In spite of the dangers associated with people rushing to embrace commonality of purpose, including the danger of terrorism, I argue that there is also an urgent need for people to engage in the difficult process of slowly trying to establish greater unity of purpose. Although Morioka has done a good job in warning against the dangers of accepting truth-claims too readily, we must be bold in articulating views on common ways of thinking and living, in spite of the associated risks, including the risk of terrorism.