Selwyn now looks at the destructive fire of fanaticism.
I thought the quote (of the reformed fanatic) was of interest, in regard to how easy, it appears to be – to lead a double life. “He said that he used to go back home (after planting bombs) and watch reports of the incidents on the television news, and he commented, ‘I was so caught up in fanaticism and over-zealousness that I could sit and watch the news with my mother, who knew nothing of my involvement, and I would sit there just as if I was another person.‘”
I imagine that to a certain extent those who are involved in terrorism don’t associate their own humanity (especially love), with the human pain and anguish that follows in the wake of their terrorist activities. Their ’cause’ justifies the use of terror, not only against their stated enemies but also innocent bystanders (some of their victims may even share the same fanatical views).
I agree with Selwyn’s conclusion: “Such is the power of fanaticism – a devastating, destructive fire. It sears and scars the soul, and blinds it to all that is right and good and virtuous. There is fire in fanaticism, you see, terrible, destructive fire.”
Wild fanaticism
Selwyn now looks at the destructive fire of fanaticism.
I thought the quote (of the reformed fanatic) was of interest, in regard to how easy, it appears to be – to lead a double life. “He said that he used to go back home (after planting bombs) and watch reports of the incidents on the television news, and he commented, ‘I was so caught up in fanaticism and over-zealousness that I could sit and watch the news with my mother, who knew nothing of my involvement, and I would sit there just as if I was another person.‘”
I imagine that to a certain extent those who are involved in terrorism don’t associate their own humanity (especially love), with the human pain and anguish that follows in the wake of their terrorist activities. Their ’cause’ justifies the use of terror, not only against their stated enemies but also innocent bystanders (some of their victims may even share the same fanatical views).
I agree with Selwyn’s conclusion: “Such is the power of fanaticism – a devastating, destructive fire. It sears and scars the soul, and blinds it to all that is right and good and virtuous. There is fire in fanaticism, you see, terrible, destructive fire.”