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The Moral Logic of Martyrdom and Paradise
The Quran contains verses that encourage jihad as holy war against apostates and unbelievers, with the most violent verses considered the most important. Unlike the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, the Quran does not emphasize love for enemies. The practice of decapitation by jihadists is rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the prophet's life. The doctrine of martyrdom and paradise eliminates the possibility of moral errors, as blowing oneself up in a crowd is seen as a favor to fellow Muslims, while unbelievers are destined for hell. Acts of terrorism are not limited to targeting Israel or the West, as evidenced by the 2014 attack on a school in Peshawar by foreign jihadis, resulting in the brutal murder of 145 people, mostly children.