Guest Post: John R Hall: “Norway’s cultural Christian apocalyptic crusader?”
In short, the document envisions apocalyptic war as the means to reach a new European conservative/nationalist/Christian utopia. Yet unlike many other visions of apocalyptic war, this manifesto goes far toward detailing what that utopian world would look like. Even if, as it seems, this action is that of a lone individual, it is a dangerous development that we ignore at our peril.
John Hall
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Dave Schuler:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
That’s a fascinating analysis. Thank you. At first glance (and at a distance since I haven’t read the manifesto and don’t intend to) it appears to me as though the Oslo bomber has adopted Al Qaeda’s underlying view turned in a "Christian" European nationalist direction.
The Oslo Killer’s Manifesto:
July 25th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
[…] an interesting analysis of the Oslo killer’s manifesto from UC Davis sociologist John R. Hall that I’d like to bring to your attention. Here’s […]
John R. Hall:
July 25th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
To Dave Schuler:
I think you are exactly right in your thought that Breivik, who has now admitted to being the killer, styled his worldview as what amounts to a mirror image of al Qaida. Indeed, that is basic to apocalyptic war: the other side much take the bait. After 9/11, the Bush administration fell into this trap at first. Now, Breivik has taken it in a very different direction, in part because he deems his enemy to be the European politicians — across a variety of political parties, let it be said — who have aided and abetted multiculturalism.
Fred Zimmerman:
July 25th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
All the document really demonstrates is that one nutjob had a lot of time on his hands. It can’t really be read as emblematic of any larger trends or issues. Even if it could be, the author has completely undercut his own message by the massacre.
IMHO his actions and the response to them are far more telling and actionable.
1) anyone who can figure out how to make a truck bomb can become a superempowered Blofeld. if he is really cunning, he can deliver an Al Qaeda style synchronized attack. 2) the killer picked an ideal killing ground: an abundance of soft targets, isolated from police response, no on-site security. Site selection for politically sensitive gatherings needs to be given greater consideration in any society where Blofelds have access to ammonium nitrate and rifles, i.e. any society.3) SWAT teams need to have helicopters ready to fly.
zen:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I want to thank Dr. Hall for his informative and timely post here as well as Dr. Ronfeldt and Charles for getting the ball rolling on it. Great work!
Ram:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
This is a good breakdown of the document that agrees with my own skimming/reading. My own fear is that it offers an extendable and durable (but as yet incomplete) template both in its interpretation of the past and in its plan for a projected future . The document’s style is very plain and matter-of-fact when it comes to action, both tactical and strategic; cold-blooded would be one way of summarizing it, so much so that: far from undercutting the message by his actions, the author/perpetrator has underlined the validity of the message to those who (would) believe in it. And finally, it seems to me that the message can only be combated by understanding its potential impact. All this IMO.
Fred Zimmerman:
July 25th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@Ram — my take is that the author, far from unifying like minds around his message, has provided a bunch of giant red warning flags that he (and his message) are insane. My bet is that this will result in marginalization of far-right fanatics in Norway, and that potential Norwegian believers in the message will be put off by a) the thought of association with the most shameful crime in Norwegian history b) the certainty of high police scrutiny for anyone advocating far right views. In my (admittedly superficial) recollection, the Oklahoma City bombing took a lot of the wind out of the sails from the militia movement in the US. But I can understand how you might draw the opposite conclusion: time will tell.
My line of thinking about combating extremist messages is that it is actually not that valuable to try to understand them. You get a lot more bang for your buck by focusing on increasing civic resilience against anthropogenic and natural disasters. More first responders, better trained; layered security; earlier and more proactive interventions with those who act violently on political beliefs (whether right or left).
J.ScottShipman:
July 25th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Dr. Hall, Many thanks for reading the manifesto and providing analysis. One thing this long expository tells me is that Brievek took the time to not only know his mind and motives…but wrote them down—which makes me wonder whether he is crazy or just evil. Writing something of such length, notwithstanding reports of plagiarism, requires the writer to organize and reflect—essentially to "live in" his ideas. I sure hope the authorities in Norway are talking to his family and friends…this isn’t the sort of thing one could keep to one’s self for any length of time…Thanks for a great post!
John R. Hall:
July 25th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Scott Shipman makes an important observation that struck me as well when I was reading the manifesto. Breivik devoted years of effort to producing this document (which, as you note, includes its fair share of pasting from other sources). He has done a terrible, terrible thing, and he has done it with a kind of inner discipline and sustained commitment that are not typical of deranged people. The closest one might come to a category is obsessive-compulsive, but he is a far cry from people seriously beset by that condition. Many of us would like to dismiss him as insane, but I am afraid that this account does not really add up, even if what he did was incredibly sick.
Jenny:
July 25th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
I read an interesting theory this afternoon that made the case of Breivik as a Manchurian figure concocted to slander those who have had it with the left’s disastrous and harmful agenda. It make’s sense to me, because the entire premise of what the media has served up to us just seems so fabricated
Curtis Gale Weeks:
July 25th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Scott Shipman & John Hall: Good observations.
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What always strikes me as very, very odd about these characters is how so much reflection almost always includes one blind spot: the long-term failure of their plans. I haven’t read the manifesto, so I can’t comment at length. However, these all-or-nothing actions by homegrown, largely isolated terrorists so often resolve into "nothing"—nothing beyond the initial shock, destruction, etc. of their efforts. True, there is often the assumption that they are mere cogs in machinery that will continue operating long after they have burnt themselves out; but the future is long indeed, so a vision of some form of ultimate utopia seems more wish than anything.
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Wonder if either of you have read Auden’s distinction between those who believe in Utopia and those who believe in Eden? Use of the idea of utopia here reminded me of that essay. Don’t at the moment remember which essay in The Dyer’s Hand included it. His essential breakdown: Edenists believe in a perfect society or order that once existed; utopians believe in a perfect society that may yet exist. He fell on the side of Edenists and warned against utopians.
Joseph Fouche:
July 25th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Reminds me a passage written by an obscure Prussian philosopher:
War is more than a true chameleon that slightly adapts its characteristics to the given case. As a total phenomenon its dominant tendencies always make war a remarkable trinity–composed of primordial violence, hatred, and enmity, which are to be regarded as a blind natural force; of the play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam; and of its element of subordination, as an instrument of policy, which makes it subject to reason alone…These three tendencies are like three different codes of law, deep-rooted in their subject and yet variable in their relationship to one another. A theory that ignores any one of them or seeks to fix an arbitrary relationship between them would conflict with reality to such an extent that for this reason alone it would be totally useless.Our task therefore is to develop a theory that maintains a balance between these three tendencies, like an object suspended between three magnetsOr as Hobbes put it, "chiefly for fear, next for honour, and lastly for profit."
If you ask whether this Northman is mad, an anomaly, or rational, the answer is yes.
J.ScottShipman:
July 25th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Hi CGW, Many thanks!
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You’re spot on w/respect to the Utopian thinking (I’m recalling John Gray’s often infuriating Black Mass). I have not read Auden’s distinction, but will add to my list.
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As for resolving into "nothing" [tongue in cheek here] after the Unibomber, I noticed how ubiquitous hoodies and metal framed sunglasses became–they’re still pretty popular among some young people.
Curtis Gale Weeks:
July 26th, 2011 at 12:36 am
Found it. It’s from Auden’s essay Dingley Dell & The Fleet. He uses Eden along w/ Arcadian, on the one side, and New Jerusalem w/ Utopian:
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——
Never thought about the hoodies. For me it was a chicken/egg kind of thing! 😉
J.ScottShipman:
July 26th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Zen, Thanks for overcoming my continuing non-post formatting issues:)) CGW, many thanks for the reference. At dinner tonight I shared your comment and she was familiar with Auden and the concept—and sort of looked at me like I was bordering on illiterate:)) (she’s an English major, what can I say?)…Hitler wasnt’ alone, Marx and those who followed co-opted the notion that man can scientifically improve to a point of perfection. I posted this thread to a friend who does not blog—a bright guy who is a West Point grad. His take was telling. He believes that Europe is awakening to the dissolution of their culture and will, as time progresses, react violently (much as Joseph Fouche already eloquently described). My guess is there are enough sheep in Europe to stave off a full revolution, but guys like the one in Norway probably took note and are making their plans. France and Belgium are dealing with the issues in law proper, so I suspect we’ll see more activity there in the future…
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John R. Hall:
July 30th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
I’m honored that my analysis of Breivik received this recognition. It is fascinating to see the range of views on the web about Breivik, his motivations, how his actions are to be explained or dismissed, and what we should make of these events.
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martha Seymour:
September 17th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I hope readers are aware that the concept of "Christian nationalism" is an absurd oxymoron. People use available, popular labels to rally the unsophisticated. But there is nothing in Christian texts that condones violence or any form of nationalism (except perhaps for paying your taxes…probably a pragmatic way to lessen the possibility of extreme persecution by the state. Christianity is at its core about love, non-violence, and (if you will) multiculturalism. The early Christians reached out to people of all races, particularly the poor. So, in fact, the best remedy for the murderous nationalism of people like Breivik (who, as you much more plausibly say, finds a potent model in al Qaeda) is ACTUAL Christianity. Real Christians would never have made war in Afghanistan or Iraq, much less set up torture chambers for suspects. Labels should have some historical integrity. What people have done to others under a religious banner tells us nothing about the religion per se, only their shameless effort to obscure what they are really about. The lamest argument against religious creeds is that some hateful, violent people have once invoked it. Is there ANY body of ideas not invoked by some madman? I think exposure of these incongruities is essential for fighting the violence. We have to be careful that we don’t condemn all Christians, Muslims, Jews, or Buddhists for the actions of a few. That’s so obvious, but it bears repeating –especially to audiences of atheists and agnostics eager to find more handles for condemning religious beliefs (as if atheists have such clean hands! Let’s don’t forget Stalin and Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, etc.)
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