Human beings are a flexible lot, and can be convinced of anything in the world, except nothing. Liberalism, ultimately, is a path to nothing. It's a tool to fight perceived injustice, in a long, lonely, never ending battle.
Militant Islam IS justice. Victory, security, and one's place in the world are all there for the taking.
Why would any sane person choose militant Islam over peaceful liberalism? Easy. It's not how they appear, it's what they really are. Liberalism is a philosophy that holds a very dark world view, but couches it in bright language and pleasant euphemisms. Militant Islam is menacing and dire, but it promises a life (and afterlife) of order, justice, and calm. It's a world view self confident enough to slit throats in order to survive.
They're both self deceptions, really, but one is ultimately far more in tune with human nature. In their hearts, most humans fear the uncertainties of freedom, and long for an iron fist to guide their lives.
I agree with the concept, but I think "iron fist" may be too strong. I think humans need guidelines, discipline and then punishment if they can't live a correct life. They also need forgiveness once they acknowledge the error of their ways. Perhaps we are all teenagers all the time -- until we grow up, of course.
The real contrast between Islam and post-modern Christianity is how appealing Islam is to male nature. Liberal Christians have feminized religion to the point where men don't want anything to do with it. Islam is a lie, but it's a lie that is far more appealing to men and in tune with male aggression. A return to muscular, robust Christianity requires affirmation of male leadership and masculine virtue -- and a reacknowledgement of the old masculine virtue of chivarly: the strong protecting the weak, a uniquely Christian concept. We've done nothing in this society except denigrate and mock men for the last 40 years, then we're really surprised how men, especially men in prison who have been raised by single women without fathers, flock to Islam. Evangelical churches, with their emphasis on male leadership, are growing by leaps and bounds, not surprising to me, they are an antidote to our society.
You're kidding. I had no idea the above was true until good conservatives on the internet taught me so...../sarcasm
bttt