How Terrorist Groups Attract Followers: "young people "self-radicalized." They were searching for meaning in their lives and found it through friends who shared their idealism. ISIS recruiters promised them glory, adventure, and purpose -- things that appeal to many young people."
This is the point that sticks my craw, and that of Sam Harris. They are telling us why they are killing. They tell us why they hate us. And we won't grant them the dignity we granted the Nazis, or any other historic enemy. Were Genghis Khan's contemporary enemies trying to rationalize and excuse his behavior?
I don't believe that it is controversial to say that fundamentalist, extremist Islam is murderously violent. I don't believe that it is controversial to say that modern society (Making sweeping generalizations of 'The West') is not a good framework for helping young people with lots of potential (Potential for good or ill) find meaning that satisfies. I think that religion offers that, sometimes well, sometimes poorly, but fundamentalists usually promise a lot more than moderates.