ENEMIES WITHIN: CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM, A THREAT TO THE HOMELAND
A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE Homeland Security Studies
by
ODESSA KATUMU SAM-KPAKRA, MAJOR, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD B.A., University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 1998 MBA, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland, 2014
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 2016
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Fair use determination or copyright permission has been obtained for the inclusion of pictures, maps, graphics, and any other works incorporated into this manuscript. A work of the United States Government is not subject to copyright, however further publication or sale of copyrighted images is not permissible.
As technology evolves, so has the ability to reach many through various platforms, subsequently strengthening globalization. These informational platforms constantly provide news to the world, which promotes fear of Muslim radical groups that perpetuate violence in the name of religion, while ignoring the threat Christian extremism poses on American soil. As America’s focus and attention shifts to denying violent religious groups access into the homeland, it has taken its eyes away from those within the homeland that threaten the very liberty and freedom intended by the founding fathers for all Americans. This thesis and many more studies like it, is vitally needed, to explore the themes and messages of these growing Christian extremist groups, neutralize their growth, and ensure the safety and freedom of Americans are protected.
The Army of God (AOG) is a Christian extremist group founded in the early 1980’s. Due to the loosely structured nature of the organization, its exact origin is unknown. What is known however, is the organization’s core belief that abortion is against the will of God and must be stopped by any means necessary, including death. On November 27, 2015, Robert Lewis Dear, entered an abortion clinic in Colorado, killing three and injuring nine others. Mr. Dear, a lone gunman with a profound admiration for the AOG had deep Christian convictions and believed death to be the only solution to ending abortion.
On November 8, 2015, five were arrested for plotting to begin a race war in rural Virginia. Members of this group were not aware of the fact that the FBI was monitoring their actions. The FBI met with the group several times, posing as firearms dealers. As the group strengthened their plans to execute their quest to start a race war, they attempted to purchase firearms and explosives from undercover agents and were arrested as soon as money changed hands. These individuals were affiliated with the Aryan Nation and Aryan Brotherhood, whose core tenet was “an arm of the Christian identity organization Church of Jesus Christ Christians.”
I miss the days when cop bashing was not allowed on SnipersHide
there is a reason they are allowed...
be careful.
