« The NSA Ruling | Main | Islamism Update »

18 Aug 2006 01:13 pm

Addiction and Fundamentalism

This piece about the British converts to Islamism prompted some thoughts. Money quote:

Myfanwy Franks, a researcher who has studied converts to Islam and is the author of "Women and Revivalism in the West: Choosing Fundamentalism in a Liberal Democracy," said, "Being troubled does not necessarily lead people to conversion — people who aren't troubled convert — but it could lead to extreme radicalization."
Mentioning reports in the news media that Mr. Waheed was a heavy drinker and drug user before turning to Islam, Ms. Franks added: "I think there's a tendency for some people, when they stop using some kind of addictive substance, to be left with a big hole in their lives. To do something extreme is the easiest way to go, because it fills that big hole."

The path that some addicts take - not to go into lengthy, difficult recovery but to adopt, cold-turkey, the most absolutist religious position as the panacea for their addiction - is a fascinating one. I think it helps explain the strange management style and worldview of the current president.

Permalink :: Trackback (1) :: Sphere It! ::

Share This

TrackBack URL for this entry:

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2224950/7654539

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference 'Addiction and Fundamentalism'

Dry drunk theory: not just for Bush
Excerpt: It reminds me of him, too. It's so sad when the puritanical reaction to human weakness (or even human desire for pleasure) turns a human into someone who is both completely certain and completely willing to use violence. That is a horrible combinatio...
Weblog: Internal Monologue
Tracked: Aug 18, 2006 4:37:01 PM