What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter, Blockland?

[rockslide26]

This is a question that I've been thinking about for a few days now, and I haven't been able to come up with a good enough answer to convince myself that the two are different. So, Blockland, what is the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist?

I personally believe that one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist, and refuse to label anyone as a terrorist now.

Discuss.

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[HellHound]

To me terrorists really don't have much of a cause.

[TheArmyGuy]

A terrorist flies planes into towers.
A freedom fighters only kills if his freedom directly depends on it.

[Kochieboy]

Terrorists kill without a valid reason.
Freedom Fighters kill with a valid reason.

[Comatose]

Terrorists often work for a cause, such as the environment, or religion. Freedom fighters battle to recieve independence or freedom from a higher power (see: Libya).

[rockslide26]

Terrorists often work for a cause, such as the environment, or religion. Freedom fighters battle to recieve independence or freedom from a higher power (see: Libya).

But if one is fighting for religious freedom, what category do they fall under? A lot of people would say "Terrorist hurr"

[dkamm65]

Terrorists kill civilians for the sake of causing fear and chaos.

Freedom fighters fight against corrupt governments or military forces for the sake of liberating the people.

[Firecycle]

A terrorist flies planes into towers.
A freedom fighters only kills if his freedom directly depends on it.

Pretty much this.

Here's an article about it.  I have not read it so it may not express my opinion but you'll get an answer.

[dorkdotdan]

But if one is fighting for religious freedom, what category do they fall under? A lot of people would say "Terrorist hurr"

Current forms of terrorism go on parts of the Islamic religion, but they miss the whole,"Don't kill others" and,"Respect your brothers" rules.

[rockslide26]

Terrorists kill civilians for the sake of causing fear and chaos.

Freedom fighters fight against corrupt governments or military forces for the sake of liberating the people.

But fighting the U.S. Army will get you labeled as a terrorist now, will it not? The U.S. Army has to go sticking its nose in everyone's business, and opposition to that means you're a terrorist apparently.

[RedGajin]

Terrorists define themselves as freedom fighters, and the general public defines freedom fighters as terrorists.

Can't anyone be a freedom fighter, no matter what there cause is? Lets say New York suddenly decided it didn't like the government, formed a militia, and raged through New Jersey burning and shooting people. Would seem like a group of crazy terrorists, correct? But they are fighting for a certain freedom, lets say they want to secede from the government, so that would make them freedom fighters. I think a terrorist would someone who is mentally ill and goes on rampages killing people because he causes terror and has no motive for doing so, or someone who just generally likes killing/hurting/blowing things up. 9/11 is defined as a terrorist act, but the men who did it believed they were doing it for a just cause, so they would be considered freedom fighters.

[rockslide26]

Terrorists define themselves as freedom fighters, and the general public defines freedom fighters as terrorists.

Can't anyone be a freedom fighter, no matter what there cause is? Lets say New York suddenly decided it didn't like the government, formed a militia, and raged through New Jersey burning and shooting people. Would seem like a group of crazy terrorists, correct? But they are fighting for a certain freedom, lets say they want to secede from the government, so that would make them freedom fighters. I think a terrorist would someone who is mentally ill and goes on rampages killing people because he causes terror and has no motive for doing so, or someone who just generally likes killing/hurting/blowing things up. 9/11 is defined as a terrorist act, but the men who did it believed they were doing it for a just cause, so they would be considered freedom fighters.

Exactly my point

[_Rave_]

Terrorists kill civilians for the sake of causing fear and chaos.

Freedom fighters fight against corrupt governments or military forces for the sake of liberating the people.

QFT, but in addition one man's idea of a corrupt government may be another's idea of an average government.

[Mikoyan]

Current forms of terrorism go on parts of the Islamic religion, but they miss the whole,"Don't kill others" and,"Respect your brothers" rules.

One of the pillars of Islam is kill the infidels.

[Jairo]

terrorists are often mistaken with martyrs
which fight because of religious beliefs and those that violate them
freedom fighters fight for their freedom (derp)
terrorists are mainly ones that rack up infamy to be known and not much else of anything productive to the world