To not understand why someone from the UK with a British education would want to join an extremist organisation

[Wowthishurtsalot]

I don't understand it. Moreso if they are 2nd and older generation British who could have conversations with their elders as to why they emigrated to the UK and the hope they had when they came here.

What is the attraction?

But it is not happening to all of the young people. Just some. And it's an unfortunate fact of life that no matter what education etc some young people will go off the rails and do stupid stuff.

But it is not happening to all of the young people. Just some. And it's an unfortunate fact of life that no matter what education etc some young people will go off the rails and do stupid stuff.

Well, there's your answer then ^^. Why are we even bothering to discuss it when you had the answer all along?

Beheading non-muslims on video is hardly 'stupid stuff'

The problem with youth is everyone is invincible when they're Young aren't they. It's why those eejits do parkour or climb pylons in Russia without safety equipment. Is joining an extremist organisation really comparable to that?

The Old Testament is brimming with all of it

Christianity has moved on from the Old Testament. No Bible belters stoning or crucifying anyone these days.

There are different types of Jihad. One is spiritual and concerns the self. Others are to do with spreading and establishing Islam thoughout the world and involve using violence and fear to do so.

I don't have the time tonight to engage in this thread. I'm going to post a link from another ex-muslim who also came to the same conclusions I had. This is principally for any muslims who may be reading as I'd really like for you to answer some of the questions he asks.

www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-a-rizvi/an-open-letter-to-moderat_b_5930764.html

Different people get their kicks in different ways. Some people enjoy violence, others drugs for example.

But I guess if you are a young Muslim, and have constantly been told by your country of birth that your religion is inherently violent, breeds terrorists etc then a foreign holiday, some call of duty style combat, and sticking one to ignorant westerners might be quite appealing if you are that way inclined.

and sticking one to ignorant westerners might be quite appealing

Of which you are also one, if you were born in the UK

Well, obviously.

So why would you 'stick to yourself and your family/community'?

The Ku Klux Klan are quite good at murdering people, usually black.

They probably are all Christians too.

Because there is a lot of casual Islamphobia in the Uk.

More so if they are 2nd and older generation British as in original OP.

How come we're now talking about the Ku Klux Klan - are they in the UK and I haven't seen them?

Because there is a lot of casual Islamphobia in the Uk Cause and effect.

Before 9-11 / 7/7 I doubt anyone non-Asian differentiated between muslims, Sikhs or Hindus.

KKK: could only find 1 murder this year by them and not much in the pre-deeding years either.

Just need someone to come along now and mention the abortion clinic bombers from 20yrs ago.

If you believe in your religion it is not unusual to want everyone to be in it as you are sure it is the one right path so going to work on the foundation of an Islamic state is very understandable. The fact they are killing fellow Muslims and engaging in acts that anyone who reads the Koran knows are wrong is the big issue.
How the women educated here cope with the sexism of over when they go to be jihadi brides there is another matter.

So much 'what-aboutery', so little in the way of critical examination.

If it was Christianity that was currently motivating people into extreme violence, all those making excuses now would be screaming out how dreadful Christianity was.

Even if Islam is as so many of you assert actually peaceful etc, isn't there something dreadfully wrong with an ideology that SO MANY can so easily 'misinterpret' it ? Shouldn't we at least question why and how so many supposedly 'get it wrong' ?

The question isn't religion specific though. It can be applied to any young person of any belief system. Why do they do it?!

All religions can be radicalised it doesn't take much, just a charismatic persona (not too dissimilar to Russell brand) spouting bollocks that makes them sound like they've read every book going and have an ingrained knowledge of the subject. Then restrict the texts you read from, give you bastardised versions of the books (Jehovah's I'm looking at you!) and plug away subtly.

But what's the draw?! Is it a psychological weakness?

Beheadings and suicide bombers are religion specific.

Beheadings and suicide bombers are religion specific

Beheadings happen all the time here in Catholic Mexico and, as for suicide bombers, it is against Islam and, as far as I remember, the Japanese kamukaze are the most famous for this.

A wiki article on Islamic terrorist specifically cites the following motivations (which are probably universally applicable)

Western foreign policy
Interpretations of the Quran
Societal ie feeling part of a group
Economic - end of Ottoman empire and creation of new states
Education
Citizenship Issues - most predominantly Muslim countries won't grant citizenship to immigrants, so emigrating Muslims tend to end up in non Muslim Western countries

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_terrorism#Motivations_and_Islamic_terrorism

he fact they are killing fellow Muslims and engaging in acts that anyone who reads the Koran knows are wrong is the big issue.

Majid Nawaaz from the Quillam foundation who are advising the government on extremism, would disagree with the assertion that the Quran says it's wrong.

www.facebook.com/MaajidNawazFanPage/photos/a.551104524956817.1073741829.135775283156412/736044739796127/?type=1&theater

He is an ex-extremist and still a muslim, but he now admits that the Quran does exhort to violent acts such as beheadings etc.

He now views those passages as requiring reinterpretation. Those of his contemporaries who are still extremists vehemently disagree as the Quran is considered the immutable word of Allah. And so the violence and terrorism continues, justified through theology.

But what's the draw?! Is it a psychological weakness?

I suspect the people doing the most urgent research into that (in the UK and US contexts, at least) aren't going to be very public about their research or their findings.

www.theguardian.com/books/2010/oct/24/scott-atran-talking-to-the-enemy-review

Terrorists are not mad – there is no evidence of higher levels of psychological illness among them – nor poor – the link with poverty is indirect, if there is one at all – nor do they necessarily feel humiliated. Atran draws on his own research to show how personal humiliation, such as that suffered daily by Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints, in fact decreases the likelihood that any individual will act violently. On the other hand, the perception that others with whom one feels a common bond are being humiliated can be a powerful driver for action, Atran says. It is in the existence of a sense of community, whether that be a group of local friends or the ummah (the global nation of Muslim believers), that he believes the roots of violence can be found.

Just noticed that my original post has been deleted. A post that simply pointed out FACTUALLY that many aspects of Islamic teaching promote hatred and violence.

I'm astounded and saddened. My origin is from Pakistan, a country where I lived when younger and I where I would now be lynched and killed for expressing my true views. A country where on a weekly basis people are being killed for exactly that, or for just being of non-Islamic faith.

I still keep my non-belief and views a secret from my extended family in Pakistan for safety reasons. Growing up in England, I've always admired the fact that any topic including beliefs or a set of idea was open for debate or scrutiny.

To be censored, on this site, one that is for women, here in the UK is extremely disheartening. Islam is a belief. One that is responsible for the subjugation and extremely miserable lives of many muslim women and minorities, not to mention many of the current and historical violent acts of terrorism.

You can dislike a belief intensely without disliking it's followers. Nowhere in any of my posts have I been hateful towards muslims.

I have namechanged to a relevant name (or should have, hopefully).

This is a very mainstream website, probably the biggest forum frequented by British young people. Have a look at the religion section (which is virtually dedicated to threads which are simply a back-and-forth between young Muslim users and the more interested Atheists, given that Christian fundamentalism is hardly a common issue in the UK, relatively speaking).

You will be shocked at exactly how very much NOT 'moderate' a good proportion of the supposed moderates are. It is at any rate not your regular British lapsed Christian's idea of moderate, so please don't kid yourself. You will likely also be shocked at the sheer level of ignorance. It appears to be something of a consensus among the more dedicated Muslim members, for example, that 'human evolution' is a myth. Despite long, entirely convincing threads detailing the evidence. There is simply no getting through. Which would perhaps be OK, were it not for the revulsion and arrogance often directed at the non-Muslims.

I'd like to point out here that I have nothing against Muslims. Only their religion and the things it does to them and others. Religion is no more to be pussyfooted around than any other ideological position. And I certainly don't dislike Islam while favouring Christianity.

I completely agree with TheStudentRoom. I have seen the Religion section myself. There are members justifying "honour" killing, killing of gay men and women, stoning of adulterers and so on.