[cheez]

> Is someone having political beliefs that they're willing to die/kill for a sign of mental illness?

I think you're making an assumption that this is what is happening. What do unsuccessful, captured suicide bombers say?

[pjc50]

There are a few of these: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-conversation-wit...

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/raza-rumi/an-interview-with-a...

[cheez]

Thanks! The first one isn't very relevant because it is the leader, who can say what he likes to indoctrinate anyone.

The second is incredibly interesting and seems very much like a brainwashing. I can see how an otherwise normal person can end up this way.