Many Americans find it amazing that a barbaric organization like ISIS can recruit teenagers and young adults from first world countries. Some of the recruits are from middle class families and have received a Western education. Why would they even consider traveling to the Middle East and fight in a war on behalf of ISIS?
Based on interviews with recruits we are now aware of some of the reasons. Many of these young people have enjoyed the benefits of growing up with the resources of a Western country. However, there is something important missing. Those who are attracted to ISIS frequently do not have a sense of meaning and purpose in life. They do not accept the religious beliefs of their parents, and they have no substitute. There is no spiritual foundation in their life.
They may also feel estranged from the values of their culture. For example, they may perceive that many Westerners are too focused on money and the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. Authority figures seem hypocritical and out of touch. Their own lives lack excitement and significience.
It is into this spiritual void that ISIS provides exciting "answers" via social media. From all accounts, their recruitment messages are sophisticated and geared toward disaffected youth. These recruitment messages promise a life of meaning, a chance to engage in a world-changing struggle, an opportunity to participate in a war against evil that will be won by ISIS, and to live a life with clear rules and values. Their spiritual void is to be filled!
Of course, there are many recruits who are from disadvanted groups that do not feel welcomed in the country where they live. They perceive that they do not have a promising future, and they feel downtrodden. Their simmering anger sets them up for being an easy recruit.
However, the reality is that most Muslims living in Western countries are not interested in Jihad and find ISIS to violate many sacred principles of true Islam. They do not become recruits.
The bottom line is that many ISIS recruits from the West are searching for meaning and purpose in life. They have no spiritual base in their life and are psychologically hungry for an organization that will provide what they are missing So, if we want to combat recruitment of young people in our midst, we must provide them with a life of meaning and a higher purpose so they are not vulnerable to the seductive promises of ISIS. it is not likely that this will be enough to stop successful recruitment by itself, but it should help.
We also need to reach out to Muslim communities in the West with loving concern and help when needed. Everyone needs to feel significant and have their basic needs met.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD, DFAPA
