Havoc in Norway and Theology of Hatred

Category: Europe, Faith & Spirituality, Life & Society Topics: Christians Views: 4199
4199

Norway is a liberal democracy. It is ruled by Labor Party. It has liberal policies on a number of social issues. On July 22, it was hit with the worst terrorist attack on its territory by a right wing Christian conservative. Even though, the so called terrorist experts claim that he acted alone, the hand of other right wing Christian conservative individuals and groups should not be ruled out. With what is being taught in several conservative churches against liberalism, socialism, non-Christian religions specially Islam, and Judaism, the action of the Norwegian terrorist is not out of line of the dominant thinking. The 32-year-old Norwegian man who allegedly went on a shooting spree on the island of Utoya has been identified as Anders Behring Breivik. The gunman was dressed as a police officer and gunned down young people as they ran for their lives at a youth camp, which means that he might have some Christian conservative sympathizers in the police force. The possibility of receiving support from some Christian conservative individuals or groups from the United States should also not be ruled out. After all, Christian conservatism first emerged as a major force in the United States. 

Breivik belongs to "ring-wing circles" in Oslo. He has been known to write to right-wing forums in Norway and is a self-described nationalist who has also written a number of posts attacking Islam On July 17 he posted a quote from philosopher John Stuart Mill on his twitter account saying: "One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests." On a Facebook account Breivik describes himself as having Christian conservative views. Obviously, not all Christians subscribe to the theology of Christian conservatives who regard everyone who does not believe in their doctrine as pagan and consigned for hell. They regard liberalism as the major threat to their way of life. Christian conservative talk show hosts in the United States fill the airwaves with hatred against all those who have liberal attitudes. It is obvious that they are mercenaries who are working for forces that stay in dark to promote their religious, and ideological agenda.

The initial reaction of the media was to point fingers at Muslim extremists. Initially, several experts concluded that either Libyan backed terrorist groups or pro-Afghan Taliban groups might be the culprits. However, as details emerged, the experts went into hiding. When it became known that the gunmen was a Norwegian ultra right wing extremists, few spoke about the theology of Conservative Christianity or the danger it poses to democracies or free societies all over the world. Not one recalled Timothy Mcveigh responsible for the bombing of Oklahoma bombing. It is not a coincidence that this terrorist attack came at a time when the champion of right wing ideas, the media empire of Rupert Murdoch is in terrible shape facing challenges for its survival. The double standards the America media follows in general in reporting Islam was evident. Had it been a Muslim culprit, the world would have been upside down. All the media pundits and mercenaries would have been called to denounce Islam and project Muslims as number one enemy of the world.

Terrorism in all its forms and shape is wrong and must be condemned. One cannot blame an entire religion for the terrorist act of a few. Had it been a Muslim perpetrator, the experts might have already concluded that Islam is a religion that cannot find itself at peace with the West and Democracy and Muslims living in Europe and America cannot be trusted.

What Breivik did in Norway is the natural outcome of the theology of arrogance and hatred that is promoted in several churches around the world in the name of Christianity. We must realize that terrorism is not related with one religion or race or ethnic group. It is a threat every religious community and country faces. Instead of pointing fingers at religions, we must all come together to stand againts all those who believe that violence is the only method to ensure that their point of view is heard. Violence must be rejected by all who believe in the sanctity of human life and with a clear understanding that the divine will is not to seek the destruction of the human race but to help people find common grounds among them to create a world where people can live the faith of their choice without any coercion.

Christian Conservatism in America

Founded by a Norwegian immigrant Abraham Vereide (known as Abram) -now led by Doug Coe, the network -organized much like Ivanwald into cells of five, and "populated by elite, politically ambitious fundamentalists," is the subject of Jeff Sharlett's book: The Family The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power." 

The organization has operated under many guises, some active, some defunct: National Committee for Christian Leadership, International Christian Leadership, the National Leadership Council, Fellowship House, the Fellowship Foundation, the National Fellowship Council, the International Foundation. These groups are intended to draw attention away from the Family, and to prevent it from becoming, in the words of one of the Family's leaders, "a target for misunderstanding." 

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Dr. Aslam Abdullah is editor in chief of the weekly Muslim Observer and director of the Islamic Society of Nevada.


  Category: Europe, Faith & Spirituality, Life & Society
  Topics: Christians
Views: 4199

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Older Comments:
ALIYU MUHAMMAD FROM NIGERIA said:
salam.its high time the muslim realise the christian and non believers will naver stop all it hatred and attack on islam,
2011-07-31

IMTIAZ RASHID FROM JAPAN. said:
Jazakallah khair for all you articles ,I always love to read it on islamiccity.Terrorism is always there in the society like we have one group in Japan red army & aum shinrikyo.But never ordinary people knows about it.

We need a unbiased media supported by UN as a true informer instead of NBC & CNN where the news are not religion biased .If any organisation carried out attack then the media must report the organisation instead of their religion which spreads the hatred among inter religion people & create more terrorist.
2011-07-28

U.M. FROM U.S.A. said:
I don't know what kind of doctor the guy who wrote this article is, but the number of logical fallacies in this article is unbelievable.
2011-07-27