persecution of any group seems......
to attract a lot of adherents to their cause. This was true of the early Christian sect, true of the Nazi movement, and probably true of Hamas, Al Qaeda and other such polaraized groups.
Does this mean that those that are so attracted are mentally disturbed? Does it mean that converts to any cause have a zealot mentality? How does one attract a suicide bomber? Erick Hoffer wrote a book, "The True Believer" that addresses this point.
The more publicity that is given to these groups makes them more appealing and thus stronger.
Publius