What is the difference between a patriot and a terrorist?

Question

patriot (noun)

1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.

2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.

terrorist (noun)

1. a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism.

2. a person who terrorizes or frightens others.

Is serving your country in the military not the most patriotic thing that you can do?

Do military personnel not "terrorize and frighten others"?

Where do you cross the line? A means to an end?

Answer 1

one kills innocent people for no reason, one does not.  

Answer 2

It's pretty much a "Who started it?" thing. If we'd start attacking russia, it'd be terrorism. if russia attacks us and we fight back, it's patriotism on our end

Answer 3

patriotist will fight with the problem/ or problemetic persons only, where as the terrorist to solve problem he will target for any one even ordinary people.

Answer 4

Here is the difference:

Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence:

"When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to declare the causes...........a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires" that they tell the reasons why.

Terrorists don't say why, at least not in rational terms. They call other people "aggressors, transgressors, infidels, traitors, etc etc.)

But has any terrorist ever written as long a list, in RATIONAL terms, as the list against King George in the Declaration? No American would have thought to slip a gun into the Palace and shoot the King in an act of terrorism.

Instead we wrote him a letter. After which, he declared war.

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Answer 5

I think if a patriot of one country is active in the military, they are generally a terrorist to another - not necessarily advocating terrorism, but defending their country by frightening the others. Sometimes it's for religious or personal reasons rather than national ones.

Answer 6

     Both of them are ready to sacrifice their own lives for an ideology. Unfortunately, ideology varies from man to man (perhaps, leader to leader since, we know from historical evidence that common people like to obey leading person).

     As such, we need to broaden our horizon to find a noble and greater cause, which may be accepted as an ideology in order to sacrifice our lives. After that we may terrorize and frieghten others with either violence or nonviolence, whichever means applicable as per our ideologies. 'Bapuji' accepted the second option.

Answer 7

One difference is that the terrorist believes his victims deserve to die for some misunderstood belief or reason. He takes life easily and with a sense of honor.

A patriot regrettably takes the life of his enemy.

The glee and sense of rightness in murder that accompanies terrorism is not there in patriotism.

Answer 8

History is told by the victors.  At the end of the day, a terrorist is a patriot for the side that lost.

Answer 9

A terrorist attacks civilians.  Pretty simple.

Answer 10

A patriot has a strong love for his country, while a terrorist dont

Answer 11

basically nothing.

it depends on who's doing the naming

Answer 12

the difference between a patriot and a terrorist depends on who your specifically talking abotu and who you're asking.

America is the only country where the patriots(government) terrorize the country they reside in.

Answer 13

They are not Patriots, not Terrorists, not Heroes nor Villains. Never was, and never will be. They are just following orders. Ordered to do some wet works..................

That's what I learnt from one of the greatest games I'd ever played. Metal Gear Solid series..... wonder if you know bout it?

This game really wakes me up and I learnt a lot bout war, politics,  military, and life of a soldier. When I was like 5, I thought that being a soldier is cool cos they're not juz looked cool, they can hold guns and bombs and kill bad guys. But now I realize that a soldier or military personnel is no more than juz a nation's slave. Lived by orders from above. Forced to follow and sent to fight and die.

I find this question really interesting. For me, I think this is juz a matter of which perspective you're looking at. But one thing's for sure, I'm a terrorist...........................

Answer 14

The rules of engagement changes from side to side depending on the chosen or desired ends.

  It usually takes historical documents that may be concealed or hidden from the general public before an accurate account can be taken.

  With the ruling parties now being in the form of elected officials, each person has their own agendas, the support for those become what is agreed upon to take action against another, the ones that support are considered patriots, the ones that oppose are terrorists!