“It only requires a belief.”
I agree. But that belief somehow would need to be cultivated or fostered and then used as a tool to commit murder or a criminal act. It provides the motivation. That’s what I’m questioning too. For example, was his family religious, did he have a religious upbringing, did he frequent mosques, did he have ongoing conversations online or in person with jihadis, etc.. see what I’m saying?
When I said it only requires a belief in Islam, what I meant was it only requires a belief in Islamic Terrorism as a tool to attain the goals of his religion.
I had a lot of family issues growing up, and felt very much lost at various points as a teenager. I think I got very lucky to get past all of that, but what really sustained me through this period was faith, and the belief that any worldly issue I might face was not that important in the context of God. I wasn't raised in religion, and I chose Christianity (Catholicism actually) myself - for a variety of reasons, but I remember what it was like to face adversity feeling alone, and how different it was when not feeling alone because of faith. So, I personally think and feel that faith is incredibly important and sustaining while navigating the world.
That said, if a kid/young adult finds themselves alone in life, lost and without purpose or meaning, has been ridiculed by others, and was brought up in and then turns to a faith that justifies killing (and that even has radicals encouraging killing), if that kid is impressionable and desperate enough I can see how this happens. This is the danger of radical Islam. It promises a false path forward that can appeal to those who feel most lost, harbor resentments, or have mental health issues. To be honest, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.