Why would anyone want to join ISIS? A fascinating interview with Dr. Scott Atran, an expert on terrorist groups, sheds some light on that question. Atran claims that we in the West don't understand the lure of ISIS. Our "experts" tend to think that only psychopaths join terrorist groups. Or we assume that if we just gave young people jobs and housing they would steer away from ISIS. But Atran sees something deeper at work. A journalist asked Dr. Atran "So, there's no way to win this social media war against the Islamic State?" Atran replied, "Yes, there is; and it is coming up with some kind of equally adventurous and glorious message that can give significance to these young people, and this—I'm not hearing. At least in Western democracies, things have become sort of 'tired' as young people become alienated from their leaders and no longer believe in them very much."

Possible Preaching Angle:

Does anyone out there no of an "adventurous and glorious message that can give significance to these young people"?

Source:

Rod Dreher, “Terrorism & This Religious Century,” The American Conservative (11-18-15)