Domestic Terrorism and Extremists Groups: examine the Christian Identity movement and describe how these churches have concocted their beliefs from their mystical readings and interpretations of the Bible Custom Paper

For this week’s discussion topic, you are to examine the Christian Identity movement and describe how these churches have concocted their beliefs from their mystical readings and interpretations of the Bible. In other words, how do these extremists use the Bible as justification for their theology of hate? Also, you are to examine how these groups define their “ideal government.” In other words what might their established theocracy resemble? What would be some of its tenets and beliefs?<

The Christian Identity movement is a religious belief that professes a skewed reality of what true Christianity stands for and represents. Christian Identity is an off shoot of an earlier formed religious movement called British Israelism. In the book Right-Wing Populism in America-Too Close for Comfort, They describe Christian Identity as having a radical view of history and religion. The author continues in explaining the movement “Christian Identity claims the United States is the real Promised Land and White Christians are the real children of Israel. In its most virulent neonazi form, Identity claims Jews are children of Satan, while African- Americans and other people of color are subhuman: they are “pre-Adamic” mud-people – “God’s failures before perfecting Adam. “(Berlet 2000) As one can see Christian Identity is based on racism and hatred towards all other racial groups they feel are inferior.

The Christian Identity believes that the Bible was the framework for our founding fathers when creating the Constitution. In Gathering Storm- America’s Militia Threat it states “The U.S. government is nothing more than an expansion of the Christian faith and that the first Ten Amendments of the Constitution (The Bill of Rights) and the articles of Confederation are the only documents – aside from the Bible- that need be obeyed. The Israel Message holds that only white Christian men are true sovereign citizens of the United States. All other Americans, it argues, are merely Fourteenth Amendment “state” citizens, the creation of an illegitimate government.” (Dees 1996) The Christian Identity would prefer we follow a narrow list of rules and believe that whites are the true chosen people of God. Under Christian Identity, White Supremacy is promoted and the government is seen as an enemy for pushing Christianity. Christian Identity members believe that America is the Promised Land and that God will cleanse earth of all Jews and minorities in an Armageddon. Furthermore, Christian Identity members twist the Bible in a manner in which they can promote racism and hatred by twisting the teachings of the Bible. Christian Identity is anti- government and would promote that the white population prosper and other racial groups would see their demise.

Based on these radical views the Christian Identity share, they spread messages of hate and violence against those that did not fit into their framework. Those who follow the Christian Identity movement believed it is within their right to harm or even kill minorities as it is the will of God based on their teachings. This sentiment is not solely believed by Christian Identity followers, but also that of several other White Supremacists religious movements that have arisen as well.

In contrast, Christianity as most know it, preaches the acceptance of all mankind and is certainly against violence of any kind. Richard Abanes, in his book titled Rebellion, Racism & Religion- American Militias, explains a Christian’s perspective “Christianity does not accept, teach, or condone racism in any form. Jesus said that Christians should love everyone (Mt 19:19). The apostle James echoed these words, calling Jesus’ admonition “the royal law” (Js 2:8) Paul the apostle taught that without love for fellow human beings, everything we do is meaningless (1 Cor 13:1-13).” (Abanes 1978) Christianity has always promoted the acceptance and good will towards all humans regardless of race. Christianity’s ideal government in my opinion would be one of equality for all, which would be in sharp contrast to that of the Christian Identity.

In conclusion, Christian Identity promotes racism and hatred towards racial groups they feel are inferior while true Christianity is accepting and welcomes all mankind. Racists have a deep seeded hatred towards Christianity and their acceptance of all individuals no matter their ethnicity or where they are from. Christianity preaches for unity and peace among all of God’s creations. In closing, I feel that the following passage which is used in Richard Abanes’ book to open religious groups, speaks volumes to Christian Identity and their use of the Bible:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. St. Paul 2 Timothy 4:3-4