Scott Thompson: Pilgrimage or ‘stupidity’?

There is no way to comprehend the horror and terror Joshua Boyle, his wife, and young family endured while held captive for five years by Taliban-affiliated terrorists.

The couple was backpacking through Afghanistan when they were captured. Boyle feels it was because his wife was in the last trimester of her pregnancy, which would lead to a healthier ransom.

Why you would be backpacking through Afghanistan under such circumstances is beyond most.

This incident reveals an industry geared to “dark tourism,” where some pay big money to learn what the other side of life is like.

For some, it’s kind of like Disney World in Hell, I guess, while others are answering their call to action with a pilgrimage.

After his release, Boyle used the word “stupidity” to describe his captors and their actions.

Many experts use the same word when referring to those who chose to travel to parts of the world where the Canadian government strongly advised against it, for this very reason.

Even Boyle’s parents have said they are ready to forgive his “foolishness.”

Being thankful for, and praising this family’s safe return, is obvious.

The real challenge is, how to stop others from making the same mistakes and risking more lives in the rescue process.