Eric Hoffer noted:

"The fiercest fanatics are often selfish people who were forced, by innate shortcomings or external circumstances, to lose faith in their own selves. They separate the excellent instrument of their selfishness from their ineffectual selves and attach it to the service of some holy cause. And though it be a faith of love and humility they adopt, they can be neither loving or humble." (Eric Hoffer. The True Believer. 1951, 51)

If it be a political or humanitarian cause they will rend everyone to attain the sacred, or self-sanctified end.