Douglas Murray

Fanaticism is at its very strongest when it has political or, better still, religious motivation.

A fanatic commits to an ideal to whatever end. A fanatic throws everything aside to pursue their idea. Take something which it would be good to be committed to, like basic human rights. You might campaign for such a thing. You might spend every day of your life pursuing such a thing. But once you become fanatical about it, anything can happen.

A good cause need not be tarnished by its most fanatical expressions. But it is rarely helped by them.

Londoners say, 'We're so proud of our diversity and tolerance,' but what if that diversity ends up making us intolerant?