ABSTRACT
The potential for violence exists within every individual, but can either be weakened through educational, social and cultural processes that elevate individuals to higher values and standards for resolving tensions and conflicts, or strengthened by educational, social and cultural processes that further fuel conflict and violence. The vast majority of studies conducted on the educational background of terrorists who use religious arguments show that an extremely small percentage has received any form of formal religious instruction. Religious foundations have been stated to be important for deradicalization and disengagement work. One of the reasons behind the appeal of extremist narratives – whether xenophobic, nationalistic or religious – is how they simplify the complex. Reality is complex, as are religious texts and how people view, interpret and live by them. Religious minorities could conduct their personal affairs according to their own religious law and had their own religious institutions and courts.
