Why did my brother become an extreme Islamist?

[Pete]

Why did my brother become an extreme Islamist?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12900460

"........Rich was dressed in an Islamic robe and sported a surprisingly well-developed beard.

"You see all this filth, all this munkar, it will all be gone when the Sharia comes in," he remarked, scanning disdainfully around him.

By "munkar" he meant sin, evil. He was disgusted by what surrounded him. ......."

Coming soon to your family

[Ret10Echo]

Just read through the article on BBC before I came by here. I plan on checking out the video later.

[1stindoor]

Here it is in a nutshell...

Gradually he became more relaxed and we have since enjoyed many moments of laughter together.

But his extremist beliefs are always lurking just beneath the surface.

[John_Chrichton]

"But to my genuine surprise, many of these people were extremely likable, personable and even funny."

Very funny. Right before these vermin blow up a bus full of tourists in the middle of London.

G-d save us from our tolerance.

[Geenie]

I don't think the author was trying to make any kind of normative point with regard to how we should think about or treat islamists.
Seems like he was just trying to wrap his head around what exactly his brother has gotten himself involved in and why.

I thought it was interesting. Thanks for posting this!

Originally Posted by John_Chrichton

"But to my genuine surprise, many of these people were extremely likable, personable and even funny."

Very funny. Right before these vermin blow up a bus full of tourists in the middle of London.

G-d save us from our tolerance.

Originally Posted by Geenie

I don't think the author was trying to make any kind of normative point with regard to how we should think about or treat islamists.
Seems like he was just trying to wrap his head around what exactly his brother has gotten himself involved in and why.

I thought it was interesting. Thanks for posting this!

Adding to what Geenie said, it also shows the way in which to recruit these young men/women. Being personable and funny only enables the recruiters to gain the trust of the individual that much faster and then modify their way of thinking to that of an extremist.

[mojaveman]

Whatever it is that lurks in these peoples psyches and motivates them to join such a cause is a little beyond me. In my simple way of thinking I'm going to label them lunatics.

[mark46th]

I think they feel, rightfully, they are insignificant and impotent. They are looking for an outlet to show everyone how brave and powerful they are. They find Islam, with leadership that says it is moral to kill innocents. Islam provides a sanctioned means for them to prove to the world how powerful they are by attacking women and children. It exposes them for the cowards they truly are with no idea of honor or morality.

[Pete]

......and think they found it.

Order, structure. As long as you do what you are told life is good.

Too bad they didn't just listen to their parents.

Think back to Ruth's posts - she was comfortable in her box. And others who have converted also run along the Order and structure lines.