These are not nut cases, but rather, true believers who still have a 9th Century view of the world. I lived for five years in Saudi Arabia, which has two of the three holiest sites in Islam. The ruler of Saudi Arabia has the title "Custodian of Two Holy Places (or Mosques)." Millions of pilgrims come there every year on the Haj. It is the goal of every Moslem go there once in his/her life. Non-Muslims are not permitted to go into Mecca or Medina for any reason. In Saudia Arabia, the practice of other religions is not allowed nor are the symbols like crosses allowed to be worn. You cannot have statues portraying the human form, which is why the Taliban defaced the two ancient massive Buddha statues bordering the central province of Bamiyan. They were constructed during the second and third centuries
UBL has tapped into the religious fervor of Muslims. This is the reason he is so dangerous. There are well over a billion muslims in the world and it is the fastest growing religion.
I agree with Bernard Lewis that we are dealing with a clash between Islam and Modernity. Having lived a total of nine years in three Islamic countries--Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia--and visited many more, I view Islam as more of a cult than a religion. To be a believer means investing a great deal of yourself in Islam, including praying five times a day, fasting during the day for a month every year, etc. Shari'a Law governs the Islamic state. Reform is going to be very difficult and dangerous. Pakistan has the bomb and Iran is working to get one.
I certainly share your concerns.
I also understand the religious motivations, but they are indeed nut cases.
The whole lot, or very nearly so.
The problem as I see with the religion is that it was damaged severely by a insane man named Mohamed.
Since then, the Imams have taught insanity. A pretty simple conclusion, but based on facts.
In the end it may well be necessary to destroy millions of people to get them to reform.
I am not optimistic, and I fully expect to be fighting them for generations, or until they are finished.
That is what I believe and that is the only answer to the problem. I made reference to the crusades, because that was the conclusion reached then as well. No, they were not successful, unfortunately for us. Reform, or die.
I do not want it to be so, but unless and until reformers take over the religion and their sectarian violence dissipates, the future is pretty easy to read. It don't need tea leaves.