It's a very racialized term masquerading as a neutral one, with a "definition" that is secondary to its actual meaning, which is to liken to a character of the Terrorist who is like a Halloween monster. It dehumanizes its target into a completely irrational monster, who you can then say did any nonsensical evil thing you can come up with and people will believe you.

you ever notice that they never call a white male mass shooter a terrorist? instead he is usually a "gunman" or a "shooter"

I've known new athiests that call Muslims in general uncivilised and of a lesser culture

at some point mark my words someone is going to start up colonial mission trips for new athiesm

requisite clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiqnN6EU3Q0

terrorism is acceptable when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed

Yes but to be clear it's been like that for at least 50 years.

"Thug" goes in the middle somewhere

Any time someone says "terrorists" I just stop listening to them. It's an incredible cudgel for them to wield though. Look how easy it is for even a dope like Santos to just keep ringing that bell to completely shut down discussion.

Similarly, the west uses "democratic" like they used to use "civilized", although they never really stopped doing that one either

Has been a buzzword since the 2000s