Just Published: HITLER AND BIN LADEN: The Psychology of Terror By Richard A. Koenigsberg Nazism was conceived by Hitler as a religion. He declared, "We do not want to have any other God-only Germany." For the true believer, belief is threatened by the existence of non-believers. Acts of terror such as the Final Solution and bombing of the World Trade Center are designed to create shock and awe-to compel belief in the face of disbelief. Acts of destruction proclaim, "This is the fate of those who do not believe in our God." Acts of terror are undertaken as "proof." The true believer finds it intolerable that other people do not bow down to the object that he worships. Men fanatically attached to an ideology-such as Hitler and Bin Laden-react with rage when they imagine the existence of others who do not share their belief; do not worship the object that they worship. Non-believers evoke doubt. Acts of terror are designed to destroy doubt by crushing classes of people designated as non-believers. _____ The complete paper by Dr. Richard Koenigsberg is available as an on-line publication. To read: "Hitler and Bin Laden: The Psychology of Terror" PLEASE <http://ideologiesofwar.com/papers/> CLICK HERE or visit: <http://ideologiesofwar.com/papers/> http://ideologiesofwar.com/papers/ _____ IDEOLOGIES OF WAR AND TERROR: JOIN THE LISTSERV: Over 400 people responded to our initial invitation. You still have the opportunity to become a charter member of this exciting listserv that seeks to unravel the psychological sources of ideologies of destruction. To participate, simply send an e-mail to: <mailto:oanderson@ideologiesofwar.com> oanderson@ideologiesofwar.com _____ HITLER & BIN LADEN: The Psychology of Terror Acts of terror derive from attachment to an object conceived to be omnipotent and are performed in the name of this object. The object with which the terrorist identifies works within and through his body, compelling him to perform suicidal and murderous acts. Through the act of violence, the terrorist seeks to make manifest the power of the God that he worships. The act of terror declares: "This is what happens to those who do not believe. No one can escape the wrath of our God." The purpose of acts of warfare, genocide and terror is to assert or affirm the omnipotence of an idea or entity with which a people or group identify. Acts of violence are undertaken in order to persuade others-non-believers-of the power of one's God or nation. How does one know that a societal entity exists? How does one know that it possesses power? Imaginary objects come into being by virtue of collective acts of destruction performed in their name. E-mail: <mailto:oanderson@ideologiesofwar.com> oanderson@ideologiesofwar.com Web: <http://ideologiesofwar.com/> http://ideologiesofwar.com/