“Forensic Theology” & “Mahdism In The News”

Guest poster Charles Cameron writes at Zenpundit:

Why is eschatological or apocalyptic rhetoric significant?

It is an accelerant. Simply put, it is a force-multiplier, acting on morale via the sphere of religion, by providing divine sanction for violence — zeal with a deadline.

Oh boy. Fun fun fun! Read it all. Sigh.