Security Scholar Beatrice de Graaf Explores Religion's Role in Terrorism at Bamberg Lecture

Security researcher Beatrice de Graaf, a historian at Utrecht University, presented a talk titled “What Terrorists Hope” on 9 June 2026 at the University of Bamberg during the Hegel‑Week programme. She argued that existing radicalisation studies often ignore a fourth factor – religion – and that the concept of “radical redemption” frequently motivates terrorist actors, both in religious and secular groups. De Graaf explained that religious belief does not predict terrorism outright but can act as a moderator in the radicalisation process, providing a psychological justification for violent actions. She also highlighted the role of social media in reinforcing redemption narratives. The lecture examined historical and contemporary cases, emphasizing that the yearning for a higher purpose drives individuals to commit terror under the guise of achieving salvation.