In "Why People Believe (What Other People See As) Crazy Ideas," William Irons argues that “irrational messages are preferable because they are not subject to rational evaluation; they are true commitments” (54). While Irons makes some points about religion some of us might take exception to, there's some merit to what he's arguing in terms of what we - as observers and not participants - might find hard to understand that other people do or follow. Often the "commitment" has nothing to do with religion but with some thinking, upbringing, or influence that a group, or "sect" (think about the commune idea that Irons addresses), adheres to that strikes those of us on the outside as insane or completely irrational.
So, after reading Irons' piece, write a paragraph of 250 words or more on a belief held and adhered to by a select group of people (large or small, it can certainly vary) that you don't get. Be an open-minded observer, though, and try to avoid major religion. Think more "fringe" in terms of the group, the type you might read about that got attention in the news because of their unusual practices and/or lifestyle that seems out of the norm. This could be a present group or a group from the past. Provide some details as to how this group lives and what it believes, or how the group lived and believed, if from the past. If they are from the past, include what happened to them. Avoid major "movements" - beatnik, hippie, punk, etc. - as these are more a form of expression that are, regardless of whether we agree or not, founded on a rational response to the world they want to change. Focus on irrational.
Sometimes the group may or may not have a leader. For example, Charles Manson was the infamous leader of a group of young people who were devoted to him as some sort of a divine spirit. He convinced them to follow him, become his people, and do as he commanded, which was to kill others. He inspired the grisly murder of a Hollywood actress. HIs people did as he asked, yet he himself never shed any blood. They blindly, or "irrationally," did as he asked without questioning his motives.
Now this is just a brief example. As I said, there may or may not be a leader. What's more, this group may not be as notorious as what the "Manson Family" (as they were known) did; some radical or fringe groups may not want to harm others but just have an unusual perspective that ventures well outside the norm. What you write about should have more details . Yes, it can be something you read about in the news (past or present) or even something you might know about directly.