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Joining Islamic State is about ‘sex and aggression,’ not religion
Reuters ^ | October 16, 2014 | By Arie W. Kruglanski

Posted on 10/17/2014 6:21:57 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

It is easy to look to religion for an explanation of why young men — and some women — become radicalized. But it is psychology, not theology, that offers the best tools for understanding radicalization — and how best to undo it.

The appeal of Islamic State rests on individuals’ quest for what psychologists call “personal significance,” which the militant group’s extremist propaganda cleverly exploits. The quest for significance is the desire to matter, to be respected, to be somebody in one’s own eyes and in the eyes of others.

Extremist ideology is effective in such circumstances because it offers a quick-fix remedy to a perceived loss of significance and an assured way to regain it. It accomplishes this by exploiting humans’ primordial instincts for aggression and sex.

Consider the latter. Sex is the most primitive assertion of one’s significance; it’s a means to perpetuate one’s name — and genes — into the future. Islamic State strategically uses it as a reward for aggression.

The militant group has set up marriage centers where women register to be wed to its fighters. Captured Iraqi women and girls are forced into sex slavery, living in brothels run by female jihadists. Rape of non-believers is considered legitimate, while fatwas proclaiming a “sexual jihad” encourage brutality against females. Lastly, martyrdom is associated with sexual bliss in paradise.

Understanding the magnetic appeal of Islamic State’s extremism is a prerequisite to developing a suitable, psychologically sensitive counter narrative.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: caliphate; isis; islam; muslims
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1 posted on 10/17/2014 6:21:57 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The problem is that the religion is about sex and aggression.


2 posted on 10/17/2014 6:25:01 AM PDT by livius
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Well, of course!

Their religion is about nothing but peace...

3 posted on 10/17/2014 6:25:16 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: livius

That’s why it’s so appealing to the prison culture -

it gives divine sanction to how they want to behave anyway.


4 posted on 10/17/2014 6:26:08 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I have said that since hearing the word mooselimb. That is what much of islam is power, agression and sex. Nothing about loving God.


5 posted on 10/17/2014 6:27:01 AM PDT by seeker41 (take your country back by whatever means necessary & remove the son of a kenyan mooslimb)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

It’s not just IS. Islam itself, from its foundation, has been nothing but a pseudo-theological sanctification for the basest impulses of man. That is its institutional strength; the world is full of people who would prefer to give free rein to such impulses rather than aspire to the judeo-christian ideal of good.


6 posted on 10/17/2014 6:30:16 AM PDT by Paine in the Neck (Socialism consumes EVERYTHING)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

> Consider the latter. Sex is the most primitive assertion of one’s significance; it’s a means to perpetuate one’s name — and genes — into the future. Islamic State strategically uses it as a reward for aggression.

Talk about overanalyzing. Sorry but males aren’t thinking about “perpetuating their name into the future” when they have sex! I think too much education has made us stupid.


7 posted on 10/17/2014 6:33:02 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: livius

Indeed, Kerry keeps screaming ISIS is not Islamic, but that did not prevent him from screaming that war criminals were American.


8 posted on 10/17/2014 6:33:29 AM PDT by lavaroise (A well regulated gun being necessary to the state, the rights of the militia shall not be infringed)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
young men vulnerable to the appeal of extremist ideology might be persuaded to fight the desecration of their religion and promised a place in history by defeating the satanic evil that soils their faith. Social media may need to be turned abuzz with the glory of standing up to evil, encouraging the bravery needed to undertake personal risks for “breaking bad.”

Uh, yeah. That'll do it . . . . . .

9 posted on 10/17/2014 6:34:38 AM PDT by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Measured arguments against Islamic State wouldn’t do the job. Countering it requires fiery, impassioned appeals.

Arie W. Kruglanski's right... it's the same with standing up to Democrat PC... requires 'fiery impassioned appeals'...

10 posted on 10/17/2014 6:35:27 AM PDT by GOPJ (The beast roams the earth... there's been a seismic shift in our world. Rabbi Shalom Lewis)
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To: seeker41

I think the 72 virgin thing is worse than that.

The islam kids get gang raped, thus their inclination to equalitarianism pushes them to wish to rape anything innocent.

This is the same envy psychology of communism.

We are dealing with some sick people.


11 posted on 10/17/2014 6:36:47 AM PDT by lavaroise (A well regulated gun being necessary to the state, the rights of the militia shall not be infringed)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
The new ISIS flag...
12 posted on 10/17/2014 6:44:52 AM PDT by Citizen Zed ("Freedom costs a buck o five" - Gary Johnston, TAWP)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Please change the Headline to read:

All Islamic States Are About Sex and Aggression, Not Religion

to make it correct.


13 posted on 10/17/2014 6:55:14 AM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel (Have a wonderful day!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"Joining Islamic State is about ‘sex and aggression,’ not religion"

Bingo!

14 posted on 10/17/2014 6:56:06 AM PDT by Enterprise ("Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire)
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To: jsanders2001

It certainly makes you understand the need for Christianity with its emphasis on sexual morality and self-restraint. No society can withstand this kind of outlaw behavior.


15 posted on 10/17/2014 6:56:16 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard III: Loyalty Binds Me)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
But it is psychology, not theology, that offers the best tools for understanding radicalization.......

Well....IMO, the founder was schizophrenic.

16 posted on 10/17/2014 7:01:43 AM PDT by edpc (Wilby 2016)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Where do the fools who write this drivel come from? Are they being bred on a crazy farm in Minnesota or somewhere similar?


17 posted on 10/17/2014 7:03:45 AM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
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18 posted on 10/17/2014 7:17:54 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Sounds like Washington D.C. or Chicago.


19 posted on 10/17/2014 7:19:57 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

ISIS is normative islam unchecked.


20 posted on 10/17/2014 7:35:23 AM PDT by onedoug
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