Christian Identity

Christian Identity
Formation	20th century

Christian Identity is a religious movement that emerged in the 20th century, primarily in the United States, with roots in British Israelism and Anglo-Israelism. The movement is closely associated with White nationalism, White supremacy, and Antisemitism, as seen in the ideologies of Ku Klux Klan and Aryan Nations. Proponents of Christian Identity, such as William Luther Pierce and Richard Girnt Butler, often cite Biblical prophecy and Christian eschatology to support their views, which are also influenced by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the writings of Nesta Webster.

Introduction to Christian Identity

Christian Identity is characterized by its unique interpretation of Christianity, emphasizing the belief that White people are the true descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel and thus the chosen people of God. This ideology is often linked to Racialism and Supremacism, as evident in the works of Houston Stewart Chamberlain and Madison Grant. The movement's adherents, such as those in the Phineas Priesthood and The Order, frequently reference Biblical scripture, including the Book of Genesis and the Book of Revelation, to justify their views on Racial segregation and White separatism, which are also influenced by the Indian Removal Act and the Jim Crow laws.

History and Development

The history of Christian Identity is closely tied to the development of British Israelism in the United Kingdom and its subsequent spread to the United States and Canada. Key figures, such as John Wilson and Edward Hine, played a significant role in shaping the movement's early ideology, which was later influenced by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and the Holocaust. The movement gained momentum in the mid-20th century, particularly through the efforts of Wesley Swift and Bertrand Comparet, who drew inspiration from The Turner Diaries and the Biblical account of the Flood. Christian Identity has also been associated with various Hate groups, including the Aryan Brotherhood and the White Aryan Resistance, which have been involved in Domestic terrorism and Hate crimes, such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the Charleston church shooting.

Theology and Beliefs

The theology of Christian Identity is based on a distinctive interpretation of Biblical scripture, emphasizing the idea that White people are the true Israelites and that Jews are Satan's offspring, as described in the Gospel of John and the Epistle to the Romans. This belief is often linked to Millenarianism and Apocalypticism, as seen in the writings of Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye. Adherents of Christian Identity, such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, frequently reference Biblical prophecy and Christian eschatology to support their views on the End times and the Second Coming of Christ, which are also influenced by The Late Great Planet Earth and the Left Behind series.

Organizations and Movements

Christian Identity has been associated with various organizations and movements, including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the Phineas Priesthood. These groups often promote White nationalism and White supremacy, as evident in the ideologies of David Duke and Don Black. Other notable organizations, such as the National Alliance and the White Aryan Resistance, have also been linked to Christian Identity, which has been influenced by the American Nazi Party and the National Socialist Movement. Key figures, such as William Luther Pierce and Richard Girnt Butler, have played a significant role in shaping the movement's ideology and promoting its views, which are also reflected in the Christian Patriot movement and the Militia movement.

Criticisms and Controversies

Christian Identity has been widely criticized for its Racist and Antisemitic views, which are seen as a form of Hate speech and Domestic terrorism. Many Christian denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church, have denounced Christian Identity as a Hate group and a Cult. The movement has also been linked to various Violent crimes, including the Oklahoma City bombing and the Charleston church shooting, which were perpetrated by individuals influenced by Christian Identity ideology, such as Timothy McVeigh and Dylann Roof. Additionally, the movement's views on Racial segregation and White separatism have been criticized by Civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Relationship to Other Religious Groups

Christian Identity has been influenced by various religious groups, including British Israelism and Anglo-Israelism. The movement's adherents often claim to be the true representatives of Christianity, while rejecting the legitimacy of Judaism and other Abrahamic religions. Christian Identity has also been compared to other White nationalist and White supremacist movements, such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Nations. However, many Christian denominations and Jewish organizations have denounced Christian Identity as a Hate group and a Cult, citing its Racist and Antisemitic views, which are also rejected by Muslim and Buddhist organizations, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. The movement's relationship to other religious groups is complex and often contentious, reflecting the broader tensions between Religious fundamentalism and Multiculturalism in the United States and beyond, as seen in the Culture war and the War on terror.

Category:Christian movements