Breivik's Christianity

 Word has reached me, despite my avoidance of the main-stream media, that Anders Behring Breivik, the norwegian terrorist who took it upon himself to commit mass murder in a youth camp and probably set off a bomb in the Norwegian capital, was a Christian.  Although I know that anyone who would do something like that is acting exactly the opposite to the way the Bible teaches people they should live, I thought it would be nice if their were additional evidence that he really didn't even think he was a Christian.  Fortunately, there was a link to an article with just such evidence on Viewpoint, titled Fundamentalist Christian or Deranged Social Darwinist.  As usual, the truth happened to be even better than I hoped.

Since the horrific acts perpetrated by Anders Behring Breivik in Norway last week, the news-media have been scrambling to uncover the worldview of Mr. Breivik. After initially speculating (wrongly) that the Oslo bombing and subsequent youth camp massacre were committed by a radical Muslim, establishment media outlets like CNN sought to depict Breivik as "a right-wing Christian fundamentalist." Think Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson with a machine gun.
Except, it now turns out, Breivik really isn't a Christian fundamentalist after all. According to his 1518-page manifesto "A European Declaration of Independence," he may not even believe in God. Instead of Christianity, his views are largely based on what might be described as a virulent mixture of scientific fundamentalism and Social Darwinism.

A "Christian Atheist"?To be sure, Breivik identifies himself as "100% Christian" in his manifesto (p. 1403), and he certainly talks incessantly about defending "Christian" civilization. But he also makes clear that his Christianity is a simply pose adopted for political reasons. Answering why he chose to align himself with a group supposedly espousing "Christian values," he states: "My choice was based purely [on] pragmatism." (p. 1380) He goes on to explain that "Christianity" has far more "mass appeal" than nationalism, white supremacy, or a revival of paganism, and so it is a more effective "banner" under which to build his movement. (p. 1381) In sum, Breivik views religion like Machiavelli viewed religion--as a political tool. It's worth noting that Machiavelli's The Prince is listed by Breivik as one of his favorite books. (p. 1407)

As for his own religious beliefs and practices, Breivik frankly admits: "I'm not going to pretend I'm a very religious person as that would be a lie. I've always been very pragmatic and influenced by my secular surroundings and environment." (p. 1344, emphasis added) Indeed, Breivik acknowledges that he used to believe that "Religion is a crutch for weak people. What is the point in believing in a higher power if you have confidence in yourself!? Pathetic." He continues: "Perhaps this is true for many cases. Religion is a crutch for many weak people and many embrace religion for self serving reasons as a source for drawing mental strength (to feed their weak emotional state f[or] example during illness, death, poverty etc.). Since I am not a hypocrite, I'll say directly that this is my agenda as well." (p. 1344, emphasis added) In other words, at best he views his embrace of religion as a psychological crutch to give him strength for his horrific activities. Although he adds that he has not yet actually prayed to God for strength, he expects that he may do so when he goes on his murderous rampage: "If praying will act as an additional mental boost/soothing it is the pragmatical thing to do. I guess I will find out... If there is a God I will be allowed to enter heaven as all other martyrs for the Church in the past." (p. 1345) Note the "if" in his statement about whether God exists. Breivik himself doesn't even appear to believe in God. He frequently identifies himself as a "cultural Christian," a term which he defines at one point as the same thing as a "Christian atheist." (p. 1360)

Unsurprisingly, Breivik's idea of "cultural Christianity" has little to do with Christianity as most people would understand that term. For example, Breivik makes clear that to join his movement for cultural Christianity "[i]t is not required that you have a personal relationship with God or Jesus." (p. 1361) Indeed, Breivik would like to expand "Christianity" to include those who worship the Norse pagan god Odin. Breivik calls for the Christian church to be "re-create[d]... as a nationalistic Church which will tolerate and allow (to a very large degree) native cultures/heritage/thought systems such as Odinism." (p. 1361) And despite using the adjective "cultural," Breivik's "cultural Christianity" doesn't leave much room for Christians to actually influence society apart from social rituals. Indeed, Breivik emphasizes that he wants a secular European state where "[t]he Church and church leaders will not be allowed to influence non-cultural political matters in any way. This includes science, research and development and all non-cultural areas which will benefit Europe in the future. This will also include all areas relating to procreation/birth/fertility policies and related issues of scientific importance (reprogenetics)." (p. 1137, emphasis added)

As can be seen, Breivik harbors a special concern that Christians not be able to influence issues related to science and pubic policy "in any way." Why?

Because he sees biological science--not traditional religion--as the ultimate savior of society. In his view, advances in biology will makes possible a vigorous new form of Social Darwinism that will save the Nordic race through positive eugenics.

So, how much better can it get?  It turns out that this guy is not only in no way a christian, he is a social Darwinist, who believes in eugenics and the power of science, which was at the core of Hitler's beliefs.  After all, when hitler was losing the war, he simply responded by directing more funds to the extermination of Jews and the disabled.  His goal was not as much to conquer the world and it was to purify it and remove unwanted persons.  This sounds a lot like what Breivik talks about in his manifesto.   "[t]he Church and church leaders will not be allowed to influence non-cultural political matters in any way. This includes science, research and development and all non-cultural areas which will benefit Europe in the future. This will also include all areas relating to procreation/birth/fertility policies and related issues of scientific importance (reprogenetics)."  If this is christianity then I am not a christian.  I will always be a follower of christ, which is far from this Darwinist's religion.  After all, according to this guys definition, vikings would have been christians because they worshipped Odin.  It seems to be all to clear that the atheism is second only to the muslim faith in the creation of terrorists.  Fortunately, this person was not elected to be the most powerful person in germany, or things could have been a lot worse.  Social Darwinism and ethical pragmatism have proven time and again to be a dangerous concoction.  Remind me again why it is essential to teach are children that Darwinism is undisputed fact in the public schools?