This is how political violence is born, with a deeply rooted conviction that one’s cause is not only just but sacred and that persuasion is not an option because it grants power to those with different views.

Islamic terrorism flows from these founts — certainty in what is perceived as God’s commandment and denial of the essential right of others to disagree — but so do other forms of terrorist violence, though obviously they don’t pose as great a worldwide danger. Consider this Cybercast News Service report :

Radical animal rights activists will likely use “any means necessary” to stop what they consider the torture of animals, according to one of the movement’s most prominent spokespeople.
“Nothing else works, and these people are torturing animals to death, and they should be stopped,” said Dr. Jerry Vlasak, a press officer with the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. “If they won’t stop after using every other [peaceful means], they should be stopped using any means necessary.”
In what would represent a major departure from the movement’s traditional ban on violence against individuals, Vlasak said Americans can expect to see more violence done against “animal abusers,” including university scientists who participate in animal testing.
The North American Animal Liberation Press Office operates as a clearinghouse for the movement and says it has no links to groups the FBI identifies as “eco-terrorists.”
Until relatively recently, animal liberationists have focused their efforts on economic damage, taking steps to avoid harm to humans or animals. But some activists, like Daniel Andreas San Diego, wanted for two bombings in 2003, are beginning to target individuals.
“Other organizations say the reluctance to use violence is a failed tactic,” said Vlasak. “[African National Congress leader and former South African President] Nelson Mandela said the use of nonviolence is not a moral principle but it’s a strategy, and there’s no moral goodness in using an ineffective strategy.”