Like Don Utter I'd like to see your observations about Wood's article in the Atlantic. In some ways it tracks nicely with what you say here, though in others it departs. I found it interesting precisely because of its focus on what might motivate some people to join and how those in ISIL justify their behavior. Since, as you note, there are crazy-seeming outliers in any religion (snake-handlers represent!) that justify their beliefs and practices through their own understandings of the relevant scripture it helped me see how ISIL followers might be doing it. I came here right after I read it since I pretty much drop in here regularly to read correctives to the MSM's hysteria.
Like Don Utter I'd like to see your observations about Wood's article in the Atlantic. In some ways it tracks nicely with what you say here, though in others it departs. I found it interesting precisely because of its focus on what might motivate some people to join and how those in ISIL justify their behavior. Since, as you note, there are crazy-seeming outliers in any religion (snake-handlers represent!) that justify their beliefs and practices through their own understandings of the relevant scripture it helped me see how ISIL followers might be doing it. I came here right after I read it since I pretty much drop in here regularly to read correctives to the MSM's hysteria.