The idea of Christian terrorism may startle the average reader, just as it might flabbergast an average person to learn that Crusader and Jihad can be considered synonymous, with the latter carrying deeper spiritual connotations. In our contemporary times, only a few people know that the Crusades were a series of medieval military expeditions undertaken by Europeans to the Holy Land in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. Meanwhile, the majority hold the misconception that Jihad literally means war.

Christian terrorism refers to acts of violence committed by individuals or groups who justify their actions based on Christian beliefs or interpretations. While Christianity, like most religions, preaches peace, some extremist factions have misused religious doctrines to justify their violent actions. This article explores historical and contemporary Christian terrorist groups and their activities. At the end of this article, the reader will conclude that if Christian Terrorism should not be a thing, then, Islamic Terrorism is a Paradox.

Historical Christian Terrorist Groups

1. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

KKK is an American Protestant-led Christian extremist, white supremacist, far-right hate group

  • Founded: 1865 (USA)

  • Ideology: White supremacy, Protestant fundamentalism, anti-Black, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic

  • Atrocities:

    • Lynching of thousands of African Americans

    • Bombings of Black churches (e.g., the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963)

    • Intimidation and murder of civil rights activists

    • Cross burnings as symbolic acts of terror

The KKK emerged after the American Civil War, portraying itself as a Christian organization dedicated to preserving white Protestant values. Despite declining influence, Klan-affiliated groups still exist today. Read more… 

2. Christian Identity Movement

Christian Identity (also known as Identity Christianity) is an interpretation of Christianity which advocates the belief that only Celtic and Germanic peoples, such as the Anglo-Saxon, Nordic nations, or the Aryan race and kindred peoples, are the descendants of the ancient Israelites and are therefore God’s “chosen people”. They believe that Adam and his offspring were exclusively White

  • Origin: 20th-century USA

  • Ideology: Racial supremacy, belief that white Europeans are God’s chosen people

  • Notable figures:

    • Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bombing, 1995 – though he denied religious motivation, he was influenced by Christian Identity rhetoric)

    • Eric Robert Rudolph (bombings of abortion clinics, the 1996 Olympic Park bombing)

Christian Identity groups have been linked to domestic terrorism, including bombings, assassinations, and hate crimes.

Contemporary Christian Terrorist Groups

3. The Army of God

Army of God (AOG) is an American Christian terrorist organization, members of which have perpetrated anti-abortion violence

  • Founded: 1980s (USA)

  • Ideology: Militant anti-abortion activism

  • Atrocities:

The Army of God believes in using violence to stop abortion, considering it a divinely mandated war.

4. Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is a Christian extremist organization operating in Central Africa and East Africa. Its origins were in the Ugandan insurgency (1986–1994) against Yoweri Museveni, during which Joseph Kony founded the LRA in 1987.

  • Founded: 1987 (Uganda)

  • Leader: Joseph Kony

  • Ideology: Establishment of a theocratic state based on the Ten Commandments

  • Atrocities:

    • Massacres of civilians

    • Child abductions (forced recruitment of child soldiers)

    • Mutilations and sexual violence

The LRA has terrorized Uganda, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan for decades. Find more of their atrocities here

5. National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)

The National Liberation Front of Tripura (abbreviated NLFT) was a banned Christian Tripuri nationalist militant organization based in Tripura, India. It had an estimated 1500members in 2001. Its creation was backed up by the Baptist Church of Tripura.

  • Founded: 1989 (India)

  • Ideology: Establishment of a Christian state in Tripura

  • Atrocities:

    • Forced conversions

    • Murders of Hindu villagers

    • Bombings and assassinations

The NLFT has received funding from external Christian organizations and has been responsible for numerous violent incidents. Read more…

6. Eastern Lightning (Church of the Almighty God)

Eastern Lightning is banned in China due to its history of violence and coercion.

7. The Phineas Priesthood

The term “Phineas action” is broadly used by white supremacists, as a term for murders of interracial couples and as a term for attacks on Jewish people, members of other non-white ethnic groups, “multiculturalists,” and anyone else who they consider their enemy

  • Founded: 1990s (USA)

  • Ideology: Christian Identity-inspired, violent white supremacy

  • Atrocities:

    • Bank robberies to fund their cause

    • Bombings of government buildings and abortion clinics

Phineas Priesthood followers believe they are carrying out God’s will by engaging in violence.

Further Reading

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