The area we really didn't discuss is the motivation ...the intense urging one senses when they believe they are following "God's" will. Without becoming religious or political, I think it should be addressed to complete the discussion. The same urge can be made of the recent suicide bombers, who feel they are following their God's will in destroying the enemy. While not completely the same, the kamakazi dive bombers also followed through with their acts because of the desire to serve the Empire, but also receive a heavenly reward.

Yates not only held to a desire for her children to go to "heaven," but she was determined to prevent them from going to "hell." She felt she was such a tormented and terrible person, that if she allowed her children to grow any more that they would be condemned (also?)

Remember Jim Jones? Certainly he was not only deranged, but religious in the effort. He obviously plotted and planned the terrible deed for quite a while.

Hmmm.