Extremism is simply a lack of thinking

Just read this article in the New York Times online version, and wanted to post. With all of the Muslin hating ongoing in the world, coupled with blaming every extreme act on Muslims, it is "good" to be reminded that there continue to be plenty of other religions around the world that are just as extreme.
It reminds me once again that all extremism, irrespective of source, is bad.  I think of people that adhere to extreme points of view as "non-thinkers".  They simply are too lazy, dumb, ignorant and lack self confidence, to think for themselves.  They need to have some religion or some other zealot tell them what to do and how to live their lives. 
This approach would be OK, for them, if they simply left others out of their actions.  But often they don't and believe they must convince others of their "religion".  Mankind....a reminder that we can be terrible to each other...