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Christian Terror in Europe : The Bible in Anders Behring Breivik’s Manifesto

Strømmen, Hannah LU (2017) In Journal of the Bible and Its Reception 4(1). p.147-169
Abstract
In the attempts to understand the ideology underpinning the terror attack in Norway 22nd July 2011, and the growth of far-right extremism in Europe more generally, Christianity and the uses of the Bible are a largely neglected feature. In this article, I examine the way in which the Bible is used in Anders Behring Breivik’s manifesto, arguing that this provides an important example of the role of Christianity in far-right discourse. I show that the Bible functions as a legitimating device, glossing violence as defense of a Christian Europe; as a motivational instrument, positing God as a fellow fighter; and, as an origin for Europe. The Bible is situated in a pre-modern state where its signifying powers are policed. At the same time, it is... (More)
In the attempts to understand the ideology underpinning the terror attack in Norway 22nd July 2011, and the growth of far-right extremism in Europe more generally, Christianity and the uses of the Bible are a largely neglected feature. In this article, I examine the way in which the Bible is used in Anders Behring Breivik’s manifesto, arguing that this provides an important example of the role of Christianity in far-right discourse. I show that the Bible functions as a legitimating device, glossing violence as defense of a Christian Europe; as a motivational instrument, positing God as a fellow fighter; and, as an origin for Europe. The Bible is situated in a pre-modern state where its signifying powers are policed. At the same time, it is wrenched out of this solidified framework, cut up and pasted into the manifesto hypertext in order to serve as a contemporary ally to an anti-Muslim and anti-multicultural cause. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Far right terror, 22 July 2011, Bible, biblical interpretation, manifesto, Christianity
in
Journal of the Bible and Its Reception
volume
4
issue
1
pages
22 pages
publisher
De Gruyter
ISSN
2329-4434
DOI
10.1515/jbr-2017-2006
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
705613ff-c3d6-496a-b90f-3cd040485583
date added to LUP
2024-03-29 12:59:45
date last changed
2024-04-15 14:56:08
@article{705613ff-c3d6-496a-b90f-3cd040485583,
  abstract     = {{In the attempts to understand the ideology underpinning the terror attack in Norway 22nd July 2011, and the growth of far-right extremism in Europe more generally, Christianity and the uses of the Bible are a largely neglected feature. In this article, I examine the way in which the Bible is used in Anders Behring Breivik’s manifesto, arguing that this provides an important example of the role of Christianity in far-right discourse. I show that the Bible functions as a legitimating device, glossing violence as defense of a Christian Europe; as a motivational instrument, positing God as a fellow fighter; and, as an origin for Europe. The Bible is situated in a pre-modern state where its signifying powers are policed. At the same time, it is wrenched out of this solidified framework, cut up and pasted into the manifesto hypertext in order to serve as a contemporary ally to an anti-Muslim and anti-multicultural cause.}},
  author       = {{Strømmen, Hannah}},
  issn         = {{2329-4434}},
  keywords     = {{Far right terror; 22 July 2011; Bible; biblical interpretation; manifesto; Christianity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{147--169}},
  publisher    = {{De Gruyter}},
  series       = {{Journal of the Bible and Its Reception}},
  title        = {{Christian Terror in Europe : The Bible in Anders Behring Breivik’s Manifesto}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/jbr-2017-2006}},
  doi          = {{10.1515/jbr-2017-2006}},
  volume       = {{4}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}