Why do we think that terrorists eat babies?

Our society suffers from a dearth of curiosity. It’s like we’re completely focused on identifying the Answer, then pouring the rest of our energy into defending that Answer, regardless of whether or not it’s the right answer, because we don’t ask enough questions.

Take the shooting in San Bernardino this past week. I was told by someone that the people who did it expressed admiration for ISIS, so it was proof that it was Islamic Radicalism.

Okay, but what does that actually mean?

“Islam is inherently incompatible with Western society.”

Since there are millions of Muslims who are happily assimilated into Western society, that’s obviously a load of bunk. Therefore, (with the understanding that there are potentially thousands of different potential answers, given the number of individuals involved), some more useful questions might be:

What are contributing factors that influence whether someone becomes radicalized?

What are their fears, and what stories are they told that inflame those fears?

What is their economic situation?

Do their parents believe as they do, or is part of their radicalism a reaction against their parents?

What do they desperately want to believe about themselves?

What lies do they cling to so tightly because, if they allowed doubt into their hearts, it would mean facing the truth of things that would shatter their sense of Self?

What percentage of active terrorists are in it strictly for the desire to cause terror?

How many are True Believers, and what lead them down that path? What was the initial attraction, and does the reality of it match what they thought it would be like?

How were they treated as children?

Are they angry? If so, why? When did they first start nurturing their anger?

Do they perceive injustice and want to make it right?

Are any active terrorists not angry, but rather sincerely at peace and filled with love, grateful to be given the opportunity to serve as instruments for a higher purpose?

Are they scared when they realize they are about to die?

When they are alone at night and can not fall back asleep, do they dwell on regrets and sorrows, only to push them aside when surrounded by their comrades in the light of day?

Do they have a beloved friend from childhood who chose a different path, whose name they refuse to speak, but whose absence (betrayal?) is a constant ache in their hearts?

Me? I am curious.