Blog: Christians Should Denounce Norway's Christian Terrorist

[kristen_maroc 126]

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/26/my-take-christians-should-denounce-norways-christian-terrorist/

Osama bin Laden was a Muslim terrorist. Yes, he twisted the Quran and the Islamic tradition in directions most Muslims would not countenance. But he rooted his hate and his terrorism in that text and that tradition. So Muslims, as I have long argued, have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against Bin Laden and to look hard at the resources in their tradition that work to promote such evil.

If he did what he has alleged to have done, Anders Breivik is a Christian terrorist.

Yes, he twisted the Christian tradition in directions most Christians would not countenance. But he rooted his hate and his terrorism in Christian thought and Christian history, particularly the history of the medieval Crusades against Muslims, and current efforts to renew that clash.

So Christians have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against him, and to look hard at the resources in the Christian tradition that can be used to such murderous ends.

Interesting and important framework...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

IBTL

[Danno 1,228]

Ok I publicly denounce this terrorist..... now tell me

-what church he attends?

When was the last time he attended?

What part of the bible did use to justify his action?

At best he is a "cultural Christian" dreaming of a new crusade to begin.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is yet another example of piss poor political writing - why do these hacks insist on relativising everything into meaninglessness?

I don't think anyone has a duty to defend their religious values from accusations of guilt by association.

[Danno 1,228]

This is yet another example of piss poor political writing - why do these hacks insist on relativising everything into meaninglessness?

I don't think anyone has a duty to defend their religious values from accusations of guilt by association.

That may or may not be true but, the truth is, this guy is not the "Fundamentalist Christian" he was reported to be.

I've been to Norway and there are very very few "fundamentalist Christians" there.

Beside the point, this guy is more of a Darwinist than a Christian.

The only real examples of Christians committing acts justified by "God" (if you will)

are the abortion clinic/ abortion doctor folks.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That may or may not be true but, the truth is, this guy is not the "Fundamentalist Christian" he was reported to be.

I've been to Norway and there are very very few "fundamentalist Christians" there.

Beside the point, this guy is more of a Darwinist than a Christian.

The only real examples of Christians committing acts justified by "God" (if you will)

are the abortion clinic/ abortion doctor folks.

No Danno, he's a fascist who has constructed a mythology for himself to romanticise his crimes.

The difference between this guy and al Qaeda, aside from the fact that it seems that this guy actually acted alone (The Swedish security services have apparently cast doubt on his claims that he is part of some bigger movement) is that al Qaeda had people working for or collaborating with it who were priests and religious leaders.

Edited July 26, 2011 by fishdude

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The irony is, you allow yourselves the luxury of debating whether his beliefs and acts reflect on the larger Christian community. Muslims are not allowed to decide; it's been decided for us that terrorists define Islam and that all Muslims bear responsibility for their acts and beliefs. You believe you can refuse the broad brush even while using it on others, and don't realize how self-serving that hypocrisy appears from the outside in.

[Danno 1,228]

The irony is, you allow yourselves the luxury of debating whether his beliefs and acts reflect on the larger Christian community. Muslims are not allowed to decide; it's been decided for us that terrorists define Islam and that all Muslims bear responsibility for their acts and beliefs. You believe you can refuse the broad brush even while using it on others, and don't realize how self-serving that hypocrisy appears from the outside in.

First we must determine if in fact this guy was even a Christian, then if his actions were inspired by his Christian faith.

The evidence shows this guy was not a Christian in any meaningful way in fact from his own writings it's clear he was not a follower of any Christian church.

So this whole exercise is a mute point.

[Zero Sum 305]

That may or may not be true but, the truth is, this guy is not the "Fundamentalist Christian" he was reported to be.

I've been to Norway and there are very very few "fundamentalist Christians" there.

Beside the point, this guy is more of a Darwinist than a Christian.

The only real examples of Christians committing acts justified by "God" (if you will)

are the abortion clinic/ abortion doctor folks.

Seems more of a social Darwinist, not a Darwininan, or as it was once popularly known... a fan of eugenics.

I agree somewhat with your assessment though.

No Danno, he's a fascist who has constructed a mythology for himself to romanticise his crimes.

The difference between this guy and al Qaeda, aside from the fact that it seems that this guy actually acted alone (The Swedish security services have apparently cast doubt on his claims that he is part of some bigger movement) is that al Qaeda had people working for or collaborating with it who were priests and religious leaders.

That too, perhaps. Both Danno and fishdude can be correct while saying different things.

A nutcase, definitely.

[Danno 1,228]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_DEp--J8c&feature=player_embedded

[Zero Sum 305]

First we must determine if in fact this guy was even a Christian, then if his actions were inspired by his Christian faith.

The evidence shows this guy was not a Christian in any meaningful way in fact from his own writings it's clear he was not a follower of any Christian church.

So this whole exercise is a mute point.

Well his call for a Crusade against Islam isn't exactly rooted in secularism. Hence we see the 'cultural' Christian argument where there really is no such thing in the identity game being played here. If its about religion, then it is about Christianity vs Islam. If it isn't, then the mention of Islam from his rants should be nonexistent.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

The irony is, you allow yourselves the luxury of debating whether his beliefs and acts reflect on the larger Christian community. Muslims are not allowed to decide; it's been decided for us that terrorists define Islam and that all Muslims bear responsibility for their acts and beliefs. You believe you can refuse the broad brush even while using it on others, and don't realize how self-serving that hypocrisy appears from the outside in.

Did anybody place a huge rock on your chest in the blistering sun asking you to change your religion? Did anybody utter a grave calumny claiming that you are a street harlot and that your child is fathered by a soldier? Neither situation applies to you? THEN QUIT YER BITCHIN'!!!! A Muslim is a Muslim when a Muslim acts as one (to paraphrase Simone De Beauvoir), that means following the Quran and the Sunnah. Idi Amin uttered the Shahadah, so that makes him a Muslim? He's being judged as one but his life wasn't Islamic by a long shot. Each soul will bear its own burden, if you believe otherwise then your faith isn't as strong as you let on. Christians will be judged as Christians, Jews will be judged as Jews and Muslims will be judged as Muslims. It's tough? Not feeling the love? BIG DEAL! Who will withstand THE POWER? Who ever has? Serving an earthly king instead of the MASTER OF THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT is...Shirking USA.

[웃 910]

The irony is, you allow yourselves the luxury of debating whether his beliefs and acts reflect on the larger Christian community. Muslims are not allowed to decide; it's been decided for us that terrorists define Islam and that all Muslims bear responsibility for their acts and beliefs. You believe you can refuse the broad brush even while using it on others, and don't realize how self-serving that hypocrisy appears from the outside in.

I'd like to see 0 Christians, 0 Muslims.....Then we can walk into the 21st century, and out of the 18th, and 8th century, respectively!!!!!

[mawilson 2,133]

I'd like to see 0 Christians, 0 Muslims.....Then we can walk into the 21st century, and out of the 18th, and 8th century, respectively!!!!!

[Sofiyya 1,687]

First we must determine if in fact this guy was even a Christian, then if his actions were inspired by his Christian faith.

The evidence shows this guy was not a Christian in any meaningful way in fact from his own writings it's clear he was not a follower of any Christian church.

So this whole exercise is a mute point.

Muslims say the same thing about terrorists who commit violence in the name of Islam, but it's somehow not taken seriously. Do you expect to be taken seriously?