In Reply to: Re: Feeling sad posted by Carol on June 20, 2004 at 10:09:24:
Al-Qaida has been called a "cult" by some. In a sense, it fits the criteria, and the attraction to gangs, Islamic terrorist groups, religious cults, drug addiction, all seem to have similar voids that the leaders in these groups exploit to attract their adherents. All seem to have an internal void that needs to be filled and so are vulnerable to snake oil salespeople.
I find your brief description of your trip to Egypt fascinating. How did you come about speaking at a university there and what was that experience like?