Organized Hate – Part 4
Ideologies
Hate Group Ideologies - Power
Many groups are concerned with losing their traditional power over others
KKK Other groups are concerned with gaining some of that power, usually at the expense of other groups Skinheads Rarely discussed overtly, but usually implied “White power”
Hate Group Ideologies – Power (cont.)
Inherent superiority of the white race
White supremacists believe that the power is rightfully theirs by virtue of that superiority Believe that: Jewish bankers and media moguls conspire and corrupt gov’t. to take it Blacks take it by force through criminal behavior Non-whites take it by immigrating to the US and then reproducing when they get here, eventually taking power by sheer numbers Race-traitors contaminate the Aryan gene pool by interbreeding with non-whites Affirmative action
1 Hate Group Ideologies – Racial Separatism
Some groups advocate for an Aryan homeland
Only white of pure Aryan background will be allowed Some non-white hate groups also espouse racial separatism
Nation of Islam Other groups would permit a limited number of non-whites to live in their country as long as those non-whites conformed to white culture, stayed in their place, and did not intermarry with whites
Hate Group Ideologies – Religion
Frequently plays an important role in some hate groups, but not all Can be: Fundamentalist Christianity Radical Judaism Radical Islam Paganism Christian Identity
Hate Group Ideologies – Religion: Christian Identity
Origins: Great Britain, Mid-19th Century Current estimated size: 25,000-50,000 Ideology:Anti: Anti-Semitic, racist, anti- government, conspiratorial Subscribers: KKK, neo-Nazi groups, anti- government militia groups, sovereign citizen movements
2 Christian Identity - Origins
Created in England in the mid-1800s by a small group of religious thinkers First articulated by John Wilson and Edward Hines Known as British -Israelism or Anglo-Israelism Held that: The people that call themselves Jews and not the true Jews Actually Khazars, people of Mongolian-Turkish origin Modern Europeans were actually God’s Chosen People Modern Europeans were biologically descended from the ancient Israelites of the Old Testament--specifically from the “Lost Tribes”
Christian Identity - Origins (cont.)
The Lost Tribes made their way to Europe, and from them descended the modern European nationalities AlAnglo-Saxon Germanic Nordic Basque Lombard Celtic Slavic
Christian Identity - Early History
British-Israelism peaked in the 1920 with about 5,000 adherents No real political agendas, and probably not any more anti-Semiti c or rac is t than the res t of society at the time British-Israelism doctrines migrated to the US by the late 19th Century Established adherents in NE, West Coast, and the Midwest, but remained small and obscure
3 Christian Identity - Early History (cont.)
Once in America, BA began to evolve
Anti-Semitism began to permeate the movement at a time when anti-Semitism was increasing in the US On of the most influential BA advocates was William J. Cameron Editor of the Dearborn Independent, a weekly paper published by Henry Ford Published the infamous anti-Semitic hoax “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion”
Christian Identity - Early History (cont.)
Anti-Semitic strain of British-Israelism became particularly strong on the West Coast of Canada and the US Changed i nt o was i s now b ei ng call e d “Chr is tian Identity” Key figure in the transformation was Wesley Swift, (1913-1970) a former Methodist minister Active in extreme right-wing groups, including the KKK Started his own church—The Church of Jesus Christ Christian—in the mid 40s
Christian Identity - Theology
In the 1960’s, under Swift, Christian Identity developed an extreme anti-Semitic theory known as the “two-seed” (or seedliner) theory UdUnder thtthe two-seedthd theory, the se duc tion o fEf Eve in the Garden of Eden was sexual The product of that liaison was Cain, who became the father of the Jewish people Therefore, all Jews are the children of the Devil-literally The other seedline was Adam and Eve’s son, Abel, father of the lost tribes—the forefathers of the modern White Europeans
4 Christian Identity - Theology (cont.)
Many CI adherents also believe in pre- Adamic races Adam and Eve were not the first people God made, but were the first in God’s image Other previous creations were the forerunners of all the non-White people—the “mud” people—and do not possess souls Cite evidence that “Adam” means “to show blood” or blush, which they claim is only possible for White people
Christian Identity - Theology (cont.)
Another significant aspect of CI is millennialism—the belief that the world is in its final days Beli eve Jesus Chr is t w ill ret urn t o th e E arth following a period of “tribulation” CI is post-millennial—Jesus will not return until after the Tribulation CI adherents believe that they will take part in the Tribulation, which they believe will be a racial war
Christian Identity - Theology (cont.)
They hold themselves to “God’s” laws, not “man’s” laws Do not feel bound to a gg(overnment (which is run by Jews, the New World Order, or other sinister entity) Anti-secularism has led to reclusiveness Elohim City
5 Christian Identity - A Movement Develops
By the 1960’s, Swift had developed a set of CI leaders in California James K. Warner
Moved to LA; active in the segregationist struggle against civil rights William Potter Gale
Founded Posse Comitatus in the 70’s Richard Butler
Moved Swift’s church to Idaho and changed it to Aryan Nations
Christian Identity - The Attraction
CI is attractive because it provides a seal of approval on their ideas Has been widely embraced by a large number of white supremac is t groups Teaches that the white supremacist movement is not just an effort for cultural and racial domination, but a battle between good and evil
The movement’s followers are literally doing God’s work
Christian Identity - Aryan Nations
Founder and Leader: Richard Butler (1918-2004) Founded: Mid 70s Headquarters: Hayden, ID Ideology: Christian Identity, White supremacy, neo-Nazi, paramilitary connections
6 Christian Identity - Aryan Nations
One of the best known enclaves of anti- Semitism and white nationalism Richard Butler WW II vet; engineer for Lockheed Introduce to CI by William Potter Gale Worked under Swift for 10 yrs Formed Aryan Nations upon Swift’s death Built a compound in ID Issued a “call to arms”
Christian Identity - Aryan Nations
Butler espoused the two-seedline CI philosophy Went further by saying that not only were non- whites inferior , but that they must be destroyed Butler blended anti-Semitism with opposition to the American government Issued an Aryan “Declaration of Independence” Concluded with the so-called “14 Words” – “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”
Christian Identity - Aryan Nations
Aryan Nations also hosted youth activities
“Aryan Nations Academy” Youth conferences 1979: AN started a prison outreach program
Corresponded with prisoners and distributed AN materials 1981: Butler named Louis Beam as his “ambassador at large”
Beam expanded prison program and established the Aryan Nations Liberty Net, an early computer network
7 Christian Identity - Aryan Nations
To aid recruitment efforts, build support, and strengthen alliances, Butler hosted white supremacist summer “festivals” at the 20-acre AN compound Known as the World Congress of Aryan Nations Attracted as many as 200 participants July 1982 gathering had at least 13 KKK, neo-Nazi, and other racist groups Involved paramilitary training in urban terrorism and urban warfare
Aryan Nations – Funding
Butler financed his operations through: Membership fees Tithing Merchandise sales (flags, sermon tapes) In 1998, two wealthy computer entrepreneurs, Carl E. Story and R. Vincent Bertollini, donated a substantial sum of money to Aryan Nations Have since underwritten several expensive propaganda efforts for AN
Aryan Nations – Decline Begins
10 Aug 1998: Buford Furrow, 37 year old former AN guard, shot and wounded three young boys, a teenager, and a receptionist at the Nor th Va lley Jew is h Community Center in LA Fled the scene and later shot and killed Filipino-American postal worker, Joseph Ileto Evaded authorities for nearly 24 hrs, but finally surrenders to FBI in Las Vegas
8 Aryan Nations – Decline Begins (cont.)
Stated that his killing spree was intended as a “wake-up call to America to kill Jews” and that he had killed Ileto because he was non-white and worked for the federal government History of mental illness and run-ins with the law 2001: Pleads guilty to avoid death penalty; sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 110 yrs Resulted in a large amount of negative publicity for AN
Aryan Nations – Decline Begins (cont.)
1998: AN guards, assaulted, chased, and shot at Victoria and Jason Keenan, who had briefly stopped their vehicle on the road in front of the AN compound Bullets strike car, which careened into a ditch Keenans held at gunpoint SPLC files a lawsuit against AN, arguing that they were negligent in their selection, training, and supervision of the AN guards
Aryan Nations – Decline Begins (cont.)
2001: Jury ruled against AN Awarded Keenans $6.3 million and legal rights to the name “Aryan Nations” BlButler dec lare dbkd bankruptcy an dfd force d to hand over AN compound to the Keenans Butler renamed group “Aryan National Alliance” Bertollini and Story purchased a new home for Butler
9 Aryan Nations – Leadership Struggles
1990s: Several key members left to start new groups following Keenan lawsuit
Formed Church of True Israel in Noxon, MO Some AN followers defected to new church 1995: Butler’s health declined
Prompted the search for a new leader A faction of AN state leaders attempted to wrest control from Butler, but fail 1997: Butler named longtime member and CJCC chaplain Neuman Britton as his successor
Aryan Nations – Leadership Struggles (cont.)
2001: Britton died, failing to outlive the older Butler 2001: Butler named “Pastor” Ray Redfeairn as his successor Former Klansman Shot a police officer in 1979; pleaded guilty by reason of insanity; served four years in a mental hospital Pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder after being released; spent six years in prison Diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic 2003: Redfeairn died 2004: Butler died
Aryan Nations – Present Situation
2004: August B. Kreis III, former AN “Director Kreis of Information”, took over as National Director of Aryan Nations (www.aryan-nations.org) Currentlyyg runs organization out of Lexin gton, SC Motto “Violence solves everything.” Several factions claim to be the legitimate successor to Butler’s organization Church of Jesus Christ Christian, run by Jerald O’Brien, Coeur d’Alene, ID (www.aryannations.org) Church of Jesus Christ Christian, run by Jonathan Williams in Lincoln, AL
10 Christian Identity Present
Currently strongest in the Pacific Northwest & the Midwest, but CI groups/churches can be found in almost every region in the US Can be found outside US, but much weaker Great Britain Australia Canada Ireland South Africa
Non-Christian Religions
CI is not accepted by all Some reject Christianity Some are attracted to Celtic or Norse pagan beliefs Fit in with their reverence for Aryan peoples Also contain strong warrior ethos
Reinforces white supremacists’ self-image as warriors for their race
Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement
Founded in 1973 as the Church of the Creator (COTC) by Ben Klassen White separatist religion Creator refers to white Europeans--not a deity Primary objective is “The Survival, Expansion, and Advancement of the White Race” Embraces much of the doctrine of Nazism, and opposes people of color and Jews Motto is RAHOWA (Racial Holy War)
11 Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement (cont.)
Klassen committed suicide in 1993 and the movement almost died out Revived in 1996 at the World Church of the Creator (WCOTC) by Matthew F. Hale Sued in 2002 over name use by another organization and was forced to change to “The Creativity Movement” (TCM) In 2003 Hale is arrested for soliciting the murder of the judge who ruled against him Currently serving a 40 yr sentence
Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement (cont.)
As of 2007 the Creators have divided into two ideological factions
The Creativity Movement (aka “The Skinheads of the Racial Holy War”) Follows the structure set up by Hale For one to be a Creator, one must be a member of that group Creativity Alliance (www.creativityalliance.com) Follows the loose organizational structure first proposed by Klassen Group has a policy of non-participation in the White Power social construct
Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement Violence
1991 – COTC Rev. George Loeb shot and killed Harold Mansfield Jr., a black serviceman, during a parking lot dispute Mansfield’s family sues and Klassen tries to hide church assets with the help of NA leader William Pierce 1993 – 8 people are arrested for plotting to start a race war by blowing up a black church in LA and by assassinating Rodney King, and leaders of the NAACP and the National Urban League
Some had connections to WCOTC
12 Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement Violence (cont.)
1999 - Benjamin and James Williams are convicted of firebombing 3 synagogues and an abortion clinic, and the murder of a gay couple in CA WCOTC material was found at their home 1999 - COTC member Benjamin Nathaniel Smith went on a multiday, multistate, drive- by shooting spree targeting minorities 2 killed, 9 wounded
Non-Christian Religions – Creativity Movement Violence (cont.)
2002 – Two COTC followers, Leo Felton and Erica Chase, were found guilty in federal court of plotting to blow up Jewish and black landmarks around Boston in order to spark a racial holy war
2002 – COTC member Patrick John O’Sullivan of Victoria, Australia stabs another man after arguing about his white supremacist views
Hate Group Ideologies – Common Antipathy for the Same Groups
Jews
Architects of the vast conspiracy against whites Control the government and the media Resppg,p,onsible for globalism, capitalism, and communism Other minorities are just pawns of the Jews 9/11 has fueled anti-Jewish beliefs Jewish/Israeli plot Jewish-led American policies in the Middle East Anti-Semitism sometimes unifies seemingly disparate groups
13 Hate Group Ideologies – Common Antipathy for the Same Groups
People of Color Most often against blacks Are genetically inferior and so are less intelligent, less civilized, less industrious, and less capable than whites Are economic drains on white Americans (affirmative action, welfare) Are dangerous because they commit a disproportionate share of crime, especially violent crime, much of which targets white victims
Hate Group Ideologies – Common Antipathy for the Same Groups
Immigrants Anti-immigrant sentiment is extremely common among hate groups Assume immigrants are non-white Wish to stop or severely limit any immigration Other groups focus on:
Illegal immigration English-only laws Ending bilingual education
Hate Group Ideologies – Common Antipathy for the Same Groups
Gays and Lesbians Frequently targeted by hate groups Religious-based hate groups claim that homosexuality is morally wrong Others claim it is unnatural Some groups want them executed or imprisoned Others just want to have no influence on public policy or to just “stay in the closet”
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