The only reason to understand them is to find out the way they think . The fundamentalist leadership, like any other funamenalsts, believe the end of the world is eminent. That mindset helps them recruit people that can be easily persuaded to do thing like become human bombs. They convince these people that since the end is so near, a sacrificial suicide gives the bomber a head start on heaven before the rush starts.
Is clear that the moderate of the flock fear the extremists in this life and the next. If wasn't true, the moderates would disassociate themselves from the radicals and help end this madness. These people fear the understanding of us. So there is no give and take. An Islamist who compromises with Christians and at al, will be compromised by his own people. The only other thing else to understand is, how to take them out where they stand.
If you want to read a really clear analysis of the mindset of Islamo-fascists (as well as all types of fanatic elitists) check my profile page. Scroll down to "The cause of fanaticism and why it's dangerous." It cuts to the bottom line and makes all fanatic elitists instantly understandable.
I agree with that in part. But I don't think that entirely explains "moderate" Muslims and their actions or lack of action via militant Islam. I posted this last night about that very point.
(snip) Islam was founded on a doctrine of submission by force. Either the force of allah's will or his follower's swords. Most Muslims may gravitate towards loving kindness and compassion, which is the true nature of mind, but there is no actual basis for that in Islamic doctrine. There is no way a Muslim could be forced to face his own evil deeds that would require him to admit to himself any "crisis of faith." There is nothing in the founder Muhammed or his original teachings that would reflect any fault for acts of anger and hatred towards outsiders.Acts of loving kindness and compassion may find a space to exist in any given Muslim's mind but there is nothing fundamental to rest it on. As such it becomes optional in terms of core faith. As a result there can be no "Enlightenment" or reformation of Islam because there is nothing to go back to other than submission and forced conversion.
That means that one must view all of the "moderate" "peace loving" Muslims as "high-minded" Muslims that are not living lives "tested by faith." They're walking on shaky doctrinal ground and may step off when push comes to shove. It is anyone's guess whether a given Muslim will step onto more solid doctrinal ground (Muhammed being the primal exemplar) or renounce. What we do know is how high the stakes are for renouncing Islam.