Despite White House Claims, ISIS’ Apocalyptic-Like And Caliphate Ideas Will Thrive

Since apocalyptic beliefs and movements thrive in oppressive environments, it was misguided for the White House to claim that it had destroyed ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq in the Levant) and its caliphate. It was also wrong to think there was only 30,000 fighters left in Iraq and Syria. Apocalyptic beliefs like ISIS’ are not only a deep psychological and human need for some, but, to be sure, they provide meaning in a chaotic and violent world. What’s more, even if the end never occurs the apocalypse lasts forever.

Apocalypses Always Thrive In Oppression
No wonder, then, after the claim was made a human rights group said that ISIS attacked and killed at least seven soldiers near an army position in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour. A propaganda video was also released, urging lone-wolf attackers to unleash biological warfare on the West, including dissemination of viruses from feces and droppings of rats. Threatening to use “silent destructive weapons,” ISIS accused the “crusader alliance” of turning Muslim countries into a testing ground of “phosphorus bombs and toxin gas.”

Some of the same fighters surely recall how the U.S. invaded and occupied Iraq, and how Iraq unraveled into sectarian violence and bloodshed. Leaders of ISIS, some of them tortured by U.S. and Iraqi troops at Abu Graib and other notorious sites, consequently developed an end times scenario of God’s vengeance against the oppressors. Given the promise of a new world that offered relief from suffering, including helping God to fulfill prophecy, who wouldn’t want a new world order based on a different kind of justice?

Caliphate-Like Leaders Internalized For Centuries
Millions of Muslims still adhere to their own caliphate-like leaders as well, such as Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Turkey’s strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although none are nearly as violent as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi-ISIS’s apocalyptic leader, others are sure to rise and be just as unpredictable. This is especially true as many more look to the end times when Islamic justice will prevail and Islamic achievements restored-wiping away centuries of humiliating domination by the West.

An apocalyptic scenario might in fact occur sooner than later with the U.S. and Iran. Not only do both nations have political and military leaders with strong beliefs in an end of the world scenario, but they’re battling for power in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and southwest Asia. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, for instance, who’s commanded Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps since 1998, just warned the U.S. that “We are a nation of martyrdom,” and if it ever started a war “Iran would be the ones to determine its end.”

Apocalypses And Final Battles ‘R’ Us
If Gen Soleimani’s instagram graphic of himself using a walkie-talkie in front of the White House as it explodes isn’t concern enough, there’s many evangelicals in the U.S.-and even hosts on FOX News-who view President Donald Trump’s moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. They also see as a sign of the end of the world, believing it’s a step closer to a final battle in and around Jerusalem called Armageddon just before Jesus returns.

(ISIS too believes in a final battle in and around Jerusalem. Their goals was in fact to eventually conquer and rule in the Holy City.)

Another thing that ISIS-like apocalyptic movements and caliphates provides is a coherent world view, including its unseen world real or imaginary. As a result, its extremely reassuring to those involved. It’s moreover a strong motivational factor to know that someone-in this case the God of monotheistic faiths-is in charge, and that the same God will someday transform the world on behalf of those who “know the truth” and have been inducted. This offers a sense of self-importance, excitement and expectancy in return.

The Ultimate Archetype For Tribal Mentalities
Apocalypses are also deeply symbolic, even an archetype. This is seen in apocalyptic literature dating back to ancient times. Given that the great motifs of the conflict between good and evil, justice and lawlessness, and a tribal mentality of “Us versus Them” has shaped other monotheistic faiths like Christianity and Judaism, to think that evil will be ultimately defeated is indeed inviting. Apocalypse then means not only an unveiling of the unseen world, a violent one at that, but the unveiling of the deeper self of humanity.

Apocalyptic groups like ISIS will always read their beliefs into sacred texts. Through certain interpretations and understandings based on their own immediate contexts, they’ll come to believe they’ve been chosen by God to carry out a divine plan. This, to be sure, is psychologically and emotionally powerful, especially since it gives one the notion that they’re actually participating in bringing about the end times and helping God to reorder the world. It’s a world where God’s in absolute control, where history is consummated.

“If Not ISIS, Who‘s Next?”
As for the White House’s statement about ISIS and disregard for apocalyptic movements, the question is: “If not ISIS, Who‘s Next?” They’ll always be more ISIS-like apocalyptic movements and caliphates that are bound to rise. In addition to finding meaning in history through their apocalyptic faiths, their violent insurgencies and wars will give a sense of drama to history. It’ll also give an order and shape to their human existence, a beginning and end, providing assurance about an unknown and unpredictable future.

Consequently, these are human needs that the West and Modernity has yet been unable to provide.

Dallas Darling is the author of Politics 501: An A-Z Reading on Conscientious Political Thought and Action, Some Nations Above God: 52 Weekly Reflections On Modern-Day Imperialism, Militarism, And Consumerism in the Context of John’s Apocalyptic Vision, and The Other Side Of Christianity: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Spirituality, History, and Peace. He is a correspondent for www.WN.com. You can read more of Dallas’ writings at www.beverlydarling.com and www.WN.com/dallasdarling.