--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once a person has killed other people on…" description: "\"Once a person has killed other people on behalf of an ideology, he becomes rather devoted to it.\" — John McCarthy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/john-mccarthy-14699_becomes_once-a-person-has-killed-other-people-on_1304711.jpg" --- # Once a person has killed other people on behalf of an… ![“Once a person has killed other people on behalf of an ideology, he becomes rather devoted to it.” quote by John McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/john-mccarthy-14699_becomes_once-a-person-has-killed-other-people-on_1304711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/john-mccarthy-14699_becomes_once-a-person-has-killed-other-people-on_1304711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/john-mccarthy-14699_becomes_once-a-person-has-killed-other-people-on_1304711.jpg) > “Once a person has killed other people on behalf of an ideology, he becomes rather devoted to it.” [John McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccarthy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Killing for an ideology deepens commitment, making it harder to abandon harmful beliefs. **In simple terms:** Violence for belief entrenches that belief. Key Takeaway Beware of violence as a loyalty test. Themes ethics ideology violence Mood thoughtful serious Type analytical cautionary When to use this quote - military recruitment - political activism - cult deprogramming - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology of commitment radicalization moral injury Questions to Reflect On - Can non‑violent commitment be equally strong? - How to prevent radicalization without force? A Different Perspective Not all ideological devotion stems from violence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ideology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideology/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I believe racism has killed more people than speed, heroin, or cancer, and will continue to kill until it is no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-childress/i-believe-racism-has-killed-more-people-than-speed-heroin-or-cancer/) [Alice Childress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-childress/) > [I, myself, have killed six people. All random, all undetected, no way to trace them to me. 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