Ellis your bring up an excellent point when you write:
"They may even feel that this gives them permission to kill, burn and wage war on the 'enemy' in the name of their god, because s/he is good, whilst their foes, and their god, are evil."

I don't mean for this example to be prejudicial with respect to Moslems as at a different time and place it would apply equally to all. But the reason many become suicide bombers is to go to heaven.

If they thought they were already going there ... could they be persuaded to blow themselves and innocents up in their quest for personal glory? I doubt it.

I think a prerequisite is that you get someone who believes that their only path to heaven is the horrific act they are being asked to commit. One chance to get there ... don't blow it.

DA Morgan