Atheists and agnostics, I'm just curious, if you watch news at all...?

That's a great question. I think for a variety of different reasons that probably no one recruit has:

1. They think IS is going to be a utopia

2. They think they will find love and adventure

3. They are incredibly pious and want to "defend" Islam

4. They are rebellious

5. They like the idea of a totalitarian form of government

But probably the one thing they all share is that they don't feel connected to their home country or culture for what ever reason.

Boredom with a comfortable life. They want to feel part of a group with a purpose. It's like when people used to run off to join the Foreign Legion. Why do you think they do it? BTW, I don't know where the delusion that Western people or Americans have a special high regard for human life comes from. Is that why we killed hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq? Cut the BS.

Most are people that have been in prison, lack education or cannot survive in their own Muslim communities!

They are sadly the gullible and under achievers! But hey that is why ISIS is falling back and losing because they are being diluted by the ineffectual ones! No surprise if you read or watch the news that so many of these people have wanted to go home and been executed or locked up and used as slaves!

I can't believe anyone would be that crazy. I keep wondering if they were Muslims in the first place and just felt like "joining up" or if they are non-Muslims who are just angry with their respective governments. The news stories on these incidents are sometimes vague.

Why did people join Charles Manson's gang? Why do people believe in astrology?

Somebody once said "there's one born every minute".

I think the reason people join groups like that is because they are alienated, bored and feel worthless. They are looking for some excitement or meaning in their lives, which is precisely what ISIL promises in its propaganda videos.

The tried and true tactic of all death cults the world over has been to recruit the losers

Good question, I have been wondering that myself. My opinion is a bit conspiracy theory-ish. Those groups have infiltrated our society's, and prey on confused youth.

I have absolutely nothing to prove my opinion. It is plausible though.

Feeble-minded people will always fall victim to some kind of brainwashing. That is what happens here: they convert to a silly, extremist for of a religion and become blood thirsty criminals.

They fight for the same reasons people fight for their countries. Why do you think German soldiers fought for Germany? If Russia went to war tomorrow the Russian people would enlist and fight for Russia. If America went to war against China the American people would enlist and fight for America, and the Chinese people would enlist and fight for China.

In other words ..... mankind is violent, primitive and quite prepared to kill for country/ideology/religion.

people are action junkies they just go because they think its cool