ISIS defector explains a key reason why people continue to join the group

Despite ISIS's claims of ruling over an Islamic "caliphate" in line with Sharia law, a large number of the group's fighters joined for reasons having little to do with religion, according to a defector from the group that The Daily Beast's Michael Weiss interviewed in Istanbul, Turkey.

Source

I'm at work and have to make it short. This is not an apologist thread or my attempt to sympathize with those who join ISIS for reasons other than religion. For those who believe we are fighting an Islamic movement, you may want to reevaluate your perspective and understand one thing, the minority lead the majority, even if they share a common religion.

According to Abu Khaled, a large number of people are joining ISIS because they need money. After joining the militants, people are paid in US dollars instead of Syrian liras. Abu Khaled said that ISIS also runs its own currency exchanges.

ISIS members receive additional incentives to fight for the group. “I rented a house, which was paid for by ISIS,” Abu Khaled, who worked for ISIS's internal-security forces and "provided training for foreign operatives," told Weiss. “It cost $50 per month. They paid for the house, the electricity. Plus, I was married, so I got an additional $50 per month for my wife. If you have kids, you get $35 for each. If you have parents, they pay $50 for each parent. This is a welfare state.”

And those financial benefits are not just limited to the organization's fighters. According to Abu Khaled, any member of ISIS, ranging from construction workers to doctors, receives similar compensation. In war-torn Syria, these salaries are a powerful lure for people who might not otherwise be able to support their families — or for people just hoping to get rich.

“I knew a mason who worked construction. He used to get 1,000 lira per day. That’s nothing," Abu Khaled told Weiss. "Now he’s joined ISIS and gets 35,000 lira—$100 for himself, $50 for his wife, $35 for his kids. He makes $600 to $700 per month. He gave up masonry. He’s just a fighter now, but he joined for the income.”

Syrians that have escaped the clutches of ISIS have shared their story and agree that one of the quickest and easiest ways to accumulate wealth and status is by joining the group.

"There is no work, so you have to join them in order to live," al-Jassem told the Post. "So many local people have joined them. They were pushed into Daesh by hunger."

ISIS uses the sale of oil, looted antiquities, taxation and kidnapping for ransom as their main sources of income. Members that join have access to food, free medical care and decent housing, while those that don't are barely able to survive.

The article closes with this paragraph:

That money and the other benefits that ISIS fighters receive means that Syrians join ISIS out of desperation — and not necessarily out of religious or ideological conviction.

Next time you hear that we are fighting Islam, remember the steps it took to make that statement appear true. If ISIS's movement was that popular, they wouldn't have to create such a desperate alternative to joining their ranks. When a single decision can mean life or death for you and your family, tough choices must be made.

Next time you critically judge those that are fleeing the region, just remember that they're choosing the only alternative that does not result in death. There is desperation on both sides, one to survive and one to hate. Deny Ignorance

a reply to: eisegesis

Interesting article.

Star & flag

S&F from me, as well.
KEY phrase from your article:
"This is a welfare state."

Who'd a thunk, ISIS were such Progressives? Looks like the Islamic Caliphate is a Socialist state.

originally posted by: IAMTAT
S&F from me, as well.
KEY phrase from your article:
"This is a welfare state."

Who'd a thunk, ISIS were such Progressives? Looks like the Islamic Caliphate is a Socialist state.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

a reply to: IAMTAT
Not exactly Socialist if the benefits are limited to those they are recruiting.
More like the establishment of a new form of elite.

So we should feel sorry for those, that economic needs pushed them to join a terrorist group and went on beheading innocent people and murdering women and children for money... hmmm

Like there is no other people suffering all around this world, not having enough to feed their families.
and the only solution to this, is to become a terrorist...

I am sure Christian Syrians were in need too, why didn't they also joined IS?

Maybe because it is a matter of religion after all despite what they try to convince us about
And I might be wrong but isn't there is a lot of propaganda coming out lately from certain political sources that try desperately to manipulate the public opinion?

I dont think it matters at all why they joined. they joined now they have to die..

Sounds like a cop out to me.. I am broke boo hoo I guess I will go kill a bunch on innocent people for my 50$.

I think it is better if they joined because they believe god wants them to.

Eta. this guy who did the interview need to be rounded up and killed as well..

a reply to: eisegesis

Sounds like they are taking a page from the cartels and what made them so successful.

originally posted by: IAMTAT
S&F from me, as well.
KEY phrase from your article:
"This is a welfare state."

Who'd a thunk, ISIS were such Progressives? Looks like the Islamic Caliphate is a Socialist state.

Sounds more like a Communist state than a Socialist state.

originally posted by: IAMTAT
S&F from me, as well.
KEY phrase from your article:
"This is a welfare state."

Who'd a thunk, ISIS were such Progressives? Looks like the Islamic Caliphate is a Socialist state.

This must explain why Obama and his administration supports ISIS. I have always wondered why and now we see it is because of their ideological similarities. He is even helping them come into the U.S. and get on public assistance. What a nice guy.

a reply to: alienjuggalo
But one implication is that the people who joined up for economic reasons might fall away again, if the group's economic resources begin to fail and the group can't live up to its promises.
So it's useful to distinguish between the leaders and recruiters, whatever their motivation, and the footsoldiers who might be tempted to give up.

a reply to: alienjuggalo

Sounds like a cop out to me.. I am broke boo hoo I guess I will go kill a bunch on innocent people for my 50$.

So are they really any different from the mercenary groups we have here in the states like Blackwater and others?

So, when they are not beheading or burning or producing Oil.........they are banksters?

The Rothschilds and Rockefellers and Carnegies and Chevron and BP and Shell better watch out, there's a new playa in da house....

originally posted by: buster2010
a reply to: alienjuggalo

Sounds like a cop out to me.. I am broke boo hoo I guess I will go kill a bunch on innocent people for my 50$.

So are they really any different from the mercenary groups we have here in the states like Blackwater and others?

Yes... I havnt seen one video of a blackwater merc holding up a dead babys head while chanting to Allah..

originally posted by: eisegesis

ISIS uses the sale of oil

WHAT THE ...................................? Where are they getting oil from? Surely the oil producing facilities under ISIL control have been flattened from the air attacks and cut this source of wealth?

a reply to: eisegesis

that doesn't explain the white boy from the rual U.S., or the white girls going to have little jihad babies.
or the aussie who took his kids over and poses with cut off heads now does it.

why do those folks join?

originally posted by: hounddoghowlie
a reply to: eisegesis

that doesn't explain the white boy from the rual U.S., or the white girls going to have little jihad babies.
or the aussie who took his kids over and poses with cut off heads now does it.

why do those folks join?

Those folks join for the violence..

a reply to: alienjuggalo

Those folks join for the violence..

excactly, so isis is full of wannabe killers and not the benevolent or needy people that this seems top be portraying

And so it is said "Every man can be bought, every man has his price". Obviously some cheaper than others.

I'm sure that might be a part of it -- needed income. For the most part I think they are neer-do-wells, poor people looking for something to cling to -"Religion is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings". Did Bob Dylan say that? Islam is rapidly becoming known as "the religion of the poor". Exception for Saudi's of course.

I look at them sort of like the people who went to Jonestown, and the people who committed suicide so their spirits could catch that comet, their taxi to heaven. Sadderwhite, or something like that, a University professor gone crazy was the leader, if anybody remembers.

I wonder if we could give them $150..a month to stop killing? I'd certainly contribute to that fundraiser.

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
a reply to: eisegesis

Sounds like they are taking a page from the cartels and what made them so successful.

And the Mongolians and the Romans and on and on... This is stick and carrot behavioral modification at its core. It is how you herd humans (or any animal) in the direction that you want them to go, both figuratively and literally. If you do the "wrong" thing (oppose the caliphate) we will make you suffer, if you do the "right" thing (join the caliphate) we will take care of you and you will prosper.

If I were faced with the choice of watching my children starve or survival well...

Allah Akbar or whatever they want me to say, whoever they want me to shoot, whatever.

Most of you will judge my lack of moral fortitude but at least I'm honest with myself. Most of you would also do the same whether you'll admit it or not.