Actually Pat, they simply want to rebel against social society and appear as hero's while being anti-social. They also need to be rewarded for their anti-social behavior. Clinically they are sociopaths. It does not matter what the cause. Global Warming. Second Hand Smoking. Gay Marriage. Ocean Acidification. The cause is simply just a vehicle (the sociopaths mask) that they hide behind, while they commit numerous anti-social acts. Truth, science and morality help to illuminate their actions. And their anti-social behavior is so intense, they exhibit a knee jerk response to criticism. That reaction causes them to become even more anti-social (burn the heretic, demand he resigns).
In a nut shell, they are devious in nature and harmful in action.
Wow -- well said!