Christian Identity

Origins: Mid-20th Century (origins date to mid-19th Century)

Background: A racist and anti-Semitic religious sect whose adherents believe that white people of European descent are the descendants of the "Lost Tribes" of ancient Israel.

Influential Personalities: Howard Rand, William Cameron, Wesley Swift, Bertrand Comparet, Richard Butler, William Potter Gale, James K. Warner, Sheldon Emry, Dave Barley, Pete Peters

Ideology: Anti-Semitic, racist, anti-government, conspiratorial

Outreach: Churches, pamphlets, tracts, books, shortwave radio, Web sites

Estimated Size: 25,000 to 50,000

Criminal activity: Overall level of criminal activity is high, ranging from hate crimes to acts of terrorism







The "Lost Tribes" Found

One of the most remarkable developments in the extreme right in the United States in the past few decades has been the rise of an obscure religious ideology known as Christian Identity. Penetrating existing racist and anti-Semitic groups and movements, it has inflamed their bigotry with religious fervor and also sparked the creation of many new groups. Adherents have committed hate crimes, bombings and other acts of terrorism. Identity's current influence ranges from Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups to the anti-government militia and sovereign citizen movements-yet most Americans are unaware that it even exists.

Christian Identity's origins can be traced back to the nineteenth century in Great Britain, where a small circle of religious thinkers advanced the idea, known as British-Israelism or Anglo-Israelism, that modern Europeans were biologically descended from the ancient Israelites of the Old Testament-specifically, from the "Lost Tribes" scattered by invasions of Hittites, Assyrians and Babylonians.


The Lost Tribes had purportedly made their way to Europe, and from them descended the modern European nationalities.

These peculiar views-arrived at through creative interpretation of scripture, language, and history-never became widely popular. According to Michael Barkun, the leading historian of Christian Identity, the British-Israel movement in Great Britain peaked in the 1920s with approximately five thousand adherents. Although eccentric, British-Israelites seem to have had no ambitious political agenda or animus, and were probably no more racist or anti-Semitic than the mainstream of Western culture at that time.

By the late 19th century, British-Israelite doctrines began to migrate to the United States; they had a particular appeal to some of the many Americans who believed that the country had a special destiny in God's eyes. British-Israelites began to lecture and publish across the nation, especially in New England, the Midwest and along the West Coast. The foremost American believer was New Englander Howard Rand (1889-1991), whose Anglo-Saxon Federation distributed thousands of pieces of literature. Nevertheless, British-Israelism remained small and obscure.




An Ugly Turn

British Israelism increasingly advanced the idea that most Jews were not really descendants of ancient Israelites, but were descended from an Asiatic people known as the Khazars, who settled near the Black Sea during the Middle Ages. Once on American shores, British-Israelism began to evolve. Originally, believers viewed contemporary Jews as descendants of those ancient Israelites who had never been "lost." They might be seen critically but, given their significant role in the British-Israel genealogical scheme, not usually with animosity. By the 1930s, however, in the U.S., a strain of anti-Semitism started to permeate the movement (though some maintained traditional beliefs - and a small number of traditionalists still exist in the U.S.).



Taking hold in this country at a time when anti-Semitism was as well, British Israelism increasingly advanced the idea - common in anti-Semitic circles in the early twentieth century - that most Jews were not really descendants of ancient Israelites, but were instead descended from an Asiatic people known as the Khazars, who settled near the Black Sea during the Middle Ages. European (Ashkenazic) Jews were thus "false" Israelites who further obscured the fact that it was really white Europeans who were the "true" Israelites. One of the most influential British-Israel advocates of this and other anti-Jewish ideas was William J. Cameron, editor of the Dearborn Independent, the weekly newspaper published by automobile magnate Henry Ford in the 1920s, and Ford's press adviser until the 1940s. Under Cameron's leadership, the Independent popularized the infamous anti-Semitic hoax, "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion."

The anti-Semitic strain of British-Israelism was particularly strong on the West Coast of Canada and the United States. The key figure in the transformation of British-Israelism into what was increasingly called "Christian Identity" was Wesley Swift (1913-1970), a former Methodist minister from Southern California. In the 1940s, Swift started his own church, later known as the Church of Jesus Christ Christian. He was active in extreme right-wing groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, and developed a close friendship with the nation's most prominent postwar anti-Semite, Gerald L. K. Smith. Because of the activities of Swift and associates such as Bertrand Comparet and San Jacinto Capt, Christian Identity increasingly became linked with extreme right-wing ideologies.




A Theology of Hate

Under the leadership of Swift and his disciples, Christian Identity theology diverged sharply from traditional British-Israelism. It remained loosely organized, however, without one "orthodox" set of dogma; instead, Identity came to involve a variety of ideas and theories orbiting around several core precepts.

The core of the system, as with British-Israelism, was that white Europeans were descended from the Israelite people of the Bible: this was their true "identity." Volumes of Identity writing is devoted to revealing this hidden history. As anti-Semitism came to be folded into these accounts, the result was a fanciful but ostensibly Biblical rationale for hatred of Jews.

The most extreme expression of Identity anti-Semitism is the so-called "two-seed" (or "seedliner") theory, developed by Swift, his associates and his disciples in the 1960s. According to the two-seed theory, the seduction of Eve by the Serpent in Eden was sexual, Cain was the product of their liaison and Cain, in turn, was the father of the Jewish people; all Jews, therefore, are children of the devil, literally demonic.





The other seedline in the two-seed scheme traces from Adam and Eve's other son, Abel, through the lost tribes to today's white European-derived believers.







"One-seed" Identity adherents do not believe that Jews are physically descended from Satan, though in other respects they are no less anti-Semitic than the two-seedliners.

Many adherents, especially seedliners, also believe in pre-Adamic races. That is, they contend that Adam and Eve were not the first people created by God, but were the first created in God's image. Other previous creations, not endowed with the divine likeness, were the forerunners of all the nonwhite peoples of the Earth, the "mud peoples," who had no soul. Adam and Eve, and their Israelite descendants, were the first whites, a fact "proven" by the suggestion that the very name "Adam" means "to show blood," or blush, which they claim is only possible for whites.

Another significant aspect of Christian Identity theology is its millennialism-the belief that the world is in its final days. Millennialism is widespread among Protestants around the world, but Identity diverges sharply from traditional forms of Protestantism. Like many evangelicals, Christian Identity adherents believe that Jesus Christ will return to the Earth following a period of "tribulation."


However, Identity adherents reject the popular evangelical contention that devoted followers of Jesus will be "saved" or "raptured" before the Tribulation begins (a concept known as premillennialism).


Identity is postmillennial: it holds that Jesus will not return until after the Tribulation.


Many believe they are in or are about to enter into the time of Tribulation, a great battle between good and evil in which they will take part. While some Protestants are also postmillennial, Identity Christians view the apocalypse as a racial battle, which helps to create a hothouse atmosphere wherever Identity thrives.

Because they believe in the imminent collapse of worldly institutions, Identity adherents tend to devalue and distrust secular institutions in ways that make extreme anti-government ideologies (such as those of militia groups or sovereign citizens) appealing. They hold themselves to "God's laws," not "man's laws," and many do not feel bound to a government that they consider run by Jews, the New World Order or some other sinister entity.


This anti-secularism has led to reclusiveness among Identity Christians, with some living by themselves or with like-minded people in isolated locations (such as the "Elohim City" compound in eastern Oklahoma).

A Movement Develops By the 1960s, a new group of Christian Identity leaders had emerged. In the ensuing decades, they would spread Identity throughout the far right. Most prominent among them were California disciples of Wesley Swift: James K. Warner, William Potter Gale and Richard Butler. Warner (1939-), who moved to Louisiana and became active in the segregationist struggle against civil rights, was the head of the Christian Defense League and the New Christian Crusade Church. Gale (1917-1988) was an early leader in the Christian Defense League as well as its paramilitary arm, the California Rangers. In the 1970s he founded the Posse Comitatus (the group that helped spawn the sovereign citizen movement), while in the 1980s he created the Committee of the States and served as the "chief of staff" of its "unorganized militia." Most famous of all, Butler (1918-) moved Swift's Church of Jesus Christ Christian to northern Idaho in 1974, where he recast it as the neo-Nazi group Aryan Nations.

Christian Identity penetrated most of the major extreme-right movements. Thanks to Aryan Nations, some neo-Nazis became believers. Klan leaders such as Thomas Robb and Louis Beam adopted the faith, as did some racist skinheads, such as the Hammerskins. Christian Identity also found a welcome home in extreme anti-government activism, notably the tax protest movement, the sovereign citizen movement (descended from Gale's Posse Comitatus) and the militia movement. The resurgence of right-wing extremism in the 1990s following the Ruby Ridge and Waco standoffs further spread Identity beliefs.




The influence of Identity often extends beyond Identity circles. The Militia of Montana, which helped create the militia movement, is headed by Identity adherents, though they do not promote the theology. Similarly, one of the most popular anti-government magazines, Media Bypass, was recently purchased by the Identity journalists Chris Temple and Paul Hall, Jr., who have so far only rarely injected Identity messages into the magazine's anti-government, conspiratorial contents.




At the start of the 21st century, Christian Identity is strongest in the Pacific Northwest and the Midwest, but Christian Identity groups or churches can be found in virtually every region of the United States (outside the United States, it is much weaker, but there are Identity groups in Canada, Ireland, Great Britain, Australia and South Africa). Yet while spread far it is also spread thin. Estimates of the total number of believers in North America vary from a low of 25,000 to a high of 50,000; the true number is probably closer to the low end of the scale. Given this relatively small following, its extensive penetration of the far right is all the more remarkable.

Violence and Hate Christian Identity's racist and apocalyptic qualities helped lead to several well-known incidents of domestic terrorism during the past quarter century. In North Dakota in 1983, Gordon Kahl demonstrated how radical Identity adherents could be when he killed two U.S. Marshals who had come to arrest him for a parole violation (a mourner at one funeral was Assistant Attorney General Rudolph W. Giuliani, later to become all too familiar with such funerals). A four-month manhunt ended in another shootout in Arkansas, where Kahl killed a local sheriff before he himself was killed.

That same year, the white supremacist terrorist group known as The Order began its series of armed robberies (to which it would add additional crimes ranging from counterfeiting to assassination). Several members of the gang were Christian Identity, including David Tate, who in 1985 killed a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer attempting to reach an Identity survivalist compound called the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA). An ensuing standoff resulted in the demise of the CSA and the arrest of its leadership. During the 1980s, several Identity groups attempted to follow in the footsteps of The Order, including The Order II and the Arizona Patriots, who committed bombings and an attempted armored car robbery, respectively.

In the 1990s, Identity criminal activity continued apace, including efforts by an Oklahoma Identity minister, Willie Ray Lampley, to commit a series of bombings in the summer of 1995 in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh. The following year, the Montana Freemen, whose leaders were Identity, made headlines for their "paper terrorism" tactics and their 81-day standoff with the federal government. In 1998, Eric Rudolph, who had been associated with Identity ministers such as Nord Davis and Dan Gayman, became a fugitive after allegedly bombing gay bars, the Atlanta Summer Olympics, and an abortion clinic. The following year, Buford Furrow, a former Aryan Nations security guard, went on a shooting spree at a Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, wounding four children and an adult, and later killing a Filipino-American postal worker.

Perhaps the most chilling manifestation of Identity terrorism can be found in the concept of the Phineas Priesthood, set forth by Richard Kelly Hoskins in his 1990 book Vigilantes of Christendom.

The Priesthood is based on the concept of the obscure Biblical character Phinehas, an Israelite who used a spear to slay a "race-mixing" fellow Israelite and the Midianite woman with whom he had sex. Hoskins conjured up the idea of an elite class of "Phineas Priests," self-anointed warriors who would use extreme measures to attack race-mixers, gays, or abortionists, among other targets. Over the years, some have committed crimes using the Phineas Priest label, including a group of about eight who committed bombings and bank robberies in the Spokane, Washington, area in 1996 (four of whom were caught and sentenced to lengthy prison terms). In 2002, two Aryan Nations splinter groups openly adopted Phineas Priest names or symbols.


http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/Christian_...em=Christian_ID








Associated Reference Links :

Was Queen Elizabeth I from the Davidic bloodline?

http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...st&p=245813

A Nation of Christians Is Not a Christian Nation

http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...st&p=247024


Seed of Satan - Literal or Figurative?

http://www.scripturesforamerica.org/html2/jm0004.htm

CHRISTIAN IDENTITY MOVEMENT

Included within the Christian Identity movements are: Anglo-Israelism, British-Israelism, and some white supremacists, anti-semitic and other hate groups.

Terminology:
The term "Christian Identity" has two distinct meanings:


Anglo-Israelism (a.k.a. British-Israelism): A theological belief that the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Scandinavian, Germanic and associated cultures are the racial descendents of the tribes of Israel. Thus, by extension, Americans and Canadians, are composed of the descendents of the ancient Israelites of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).

Racist, Christian-based faith groups: A number of small, extremely conservative Fundamentalist Christian denominations which have accepted Anglo-Israelism, and grafted it to racist, sexist, anti-communist and homophobic beliefs. They view the Jewish people as descendants of Satan. Followers tend to be involved in political movements opposing gun control, equal rights to gays and lesbians, and militia movements. The second meaning has become dominant in the U.S. and Canada. We will use it for the remainder of this essay.

History:

The Christian Identity movement is a movement of many extremely conservative Christian churches and religious organizations, extreme right wing political groups and survival groups. Some are independent; others are loosely interconnected. According to Professor Michael Barkun, one of the leading experts in the Christian Identity movement, "This virulent racist and anti-Semitic theology, which is practiced by over 50,000 people in the United States alone, is prevalent among many right wing extremist groups and has been called the 'glue' of the racist right."

The largest Christian Identity movement has traditionally been the Ku Klux Klan which was reorganized in 1915 by William Simmons, a Christian pastor. He had been inspired by the film The Birth of a Nation which portrayed the KKK as a champion of white civilization. The KKK slid into obscurity by the second World War, but was revitalized in the mid 1950's as a reaction to enforced racial integration in the southern US.

Quoting the FBI's Megiddo Report on domestic terrorism: ₅

"Wesley Swift is considered the single most significant figure in the early years of the Christian Identity movement in the United States. He popularized it in the right-wing by 'combining British-Israelism, a demonic anti-Semitism, and political extremism.' ₆ He founded his own church in California in the mid 1940s where he could preach this ideology. In addition, he had a daily radio broadcast in California during the 1950s and 60s, through which he was able to proclaim his ideology to a large audience. With Swift's efforts, the message of his church spread, leading to the creation of similar churches throughout the country. In 1957, the name of his church was changed to The Church of Jesus Christ Christian, which is used today by Aryan Nations (AN) churches."

"One of Swift's associates, William Potter Gale, was far more militant than Swift and brought a new element to Christian Identity churches. He became a leading figure in the anti-tax and paramilitary movements of the 1970s and 80s. There are numerous Christian Identity churches that preach similar messages and some espouse more violent rhetoric than others, but all hold fast to the belief that Aryans are God's chosen race."

Other current organizations which follow Christian Identity beliefs are: American Nazi Party; Aryan Nations; Church of Jesus Christ Christian, Aryan Nations; Confederate Hammerskins; Jubilee, National Association for the Advancement of White People; The Order; radical modern offshoots of the original Posse Comitatus; Scriptures for America, White Aryan Resistance (WAR) and White Separatist Banner. Many small groups fade in and out of existence frequently.

Beliefs about Armageddon:
Quoting again the FBI's Megiddo Report on domestic terrorism: ₅

"Christian Identity also believes in the inevitability of the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. It is believed that these events are part of a cleansing process that is needed before Christ's kingdom can be established on earth. During this time, Jews and their allies will attempt to destroy the white race using any means available. The result will be a violent and bloody struggle -- a war, in effect -- between God's forces, the white race, and the forces of evil, the Jews and nonwhites. Significantly, many adherents believe that this will be tied into the coming of the new millennium."

"The view of what Armageddon will be varies among Christian Identity believers. Some contend there will be a race war in which millions will die; others believe that the United Nations, backed by Jewish representatives of the anti-Christ, will take over the country and promote a New World Order. One Christian Identity interpretation is that white Christians have been chosen to watch for signs of the impending war in order to warn others. They are to then physically struggle with the forces of evil against sin and other violations of God's law (i.e., race-mixing and internationalism); many will perish, and some of God's chosen will be forced to wear the Mark of the Beast to participate in business and commerce. After the final battle is ended and God's kingdom is established on earth, only then will the Aryan people be recognized as the one and true Israel."

"Christian Identity adherents believe that God will use his chosen race as his weapons to battle the forces of evil. Christian Identity followers believe they are among those chosen by God to wage this battle during Armageddon and they will be the last line of defense for the white race and Christian America. To prepare for these events, they engage in survivalist and paramilitary training, storing foodstuffs and supplies, and caching weapons and ammunition. They often reside on compounds located in remote areas."

The leadership of the more radical "CI" groups advocate, but do not themselves engage in violence against Jews, Blacks, and Homosexuals now, rather than waiting for Armageddon to begin.

The Watchman web site contained a quote from a Christian Identity leader which gives a flavor of their style of rhetoric, and their predictions for the future of North America:

"We are going to build the Kingdom of our God on this continent if we have to turn it into a Bosnia first! Death may find you in front of your one-eyed church of Satan or in the filthy bingo parlors where you worship your devil god, but be sure that you will not escape the consuming fire that is the real baptism of the Holy Ghost, The God of Racial Israel.₂

Other beliefs:
Such groups have hijacked ... Anglo-Israelism, (also known as British-Israelism).


The latter teach that the British (and by extension Americans, Canadians, and others) are the spiritual and literal descendants of the 10 lost tribes of ancient Israel. After the invasion of the Northern kingdom of Israel, the Assyrians scattered the indigenous population. They resettled in the Caucasus Mountains, and later drifted into Europe. The Christian Identity movement extended that theory and generated their own profoundly racist doctrine. They believe that the white race (or the "Aryan peoples" or "White Anglo Saxon Protestants", or the "British Peoples", or "White Americans") represent God's chosen people, as mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). They have taken these beliefs in an extreme direction to justify their hatred of Blacks, Jews, homosexuals and communists.

Some beliefs held in common by many Christian Identity (CI) groups are:


A very conservative interpretation of the Christian Bible. This has led to a hatred of homosexuality and of homosexuals and a rejection of followers of other religions.
A view of the white race, the "Adamic race" or "True Israelites" as superior. Other races are the "Satanic spawn" of Cain. This leads naturally to a hatred of Blacks, Native Americans, and immigrants from "non-Aryan" lands
That Adam and Eve were white. Many other "pre-Adamic" and non-white people were already in existence when Adam was created. This leads to the belief that Anglo-Saxon Protestants are the "true identity" of God's chosen people of the Hebrew Scriptures. Non-whites are considered sub-human. These Biblical beliefs confirm their concept of white racial superiority. As a minimum, they call for racial separation; some call for extermination of what the call the "mud races" (non-white races).
That the Commandment which forbids adultery does not refer to extra-marital sexual relationships. Rather, it forbids "racial adultery"; i.e. inter-racial marriages. Their reasoning is that the 10th Commandment which forbids coveting one's neighbor's possessions already bans adultery; one of those "possessions" is the neighbor's wife. And, God would not have repeated Himself.
They consider themselves to be the direct descendants Adam's son Abel and thus are God's chosen people. They regard the Jewish people as having descended from Cain. Thus the Jewish belief that they are the chosen people is invalid. This has led to an extreme anti-Semitism within the Christian Identity movement. They frequently promote complex conspiracy theories. For example, ₁


"Mainstream Christianity is acting in concert with the Jews through a group called "Cult Awareness Network" which is a front for the ADL [Jewish Anti-Defamation League] to destroy 'The Family'". (The latter is an international group of small intentional Fundamentalist Christian communities which has been called a cult by the Counter-cult Movement).
The "New Age movement can best be described as a 'Counterfeit Identity'. It is being raised up by Jews to provide a substitute for the real truth."
"..all that is commonly known as modern Christianity is the creation of the Jews."

Recent developments:

1999-FEB-4: FBI director Louis Freeh warned that: "With the coming of the next millennium, some religious/apocalyptic groups or individuals may turn to violence as they seek to achieve dramatic effects to fulfill their prophecies." He also talked about another disturbing religious trend: "Many white supremacist groups adhere to the Christian Identity belief system, which holds that the world is on the verge of a final apocalyptic struggle...and teaches that the white race is the chosen race of God." He warned that in late 1999, some Christian Identity members might prepare for their anticipated Armageddon by committing robberies to finance their activities. Director Freeh said that the government, Jews and non-whites are likely targets. ₄
1999-AUG-13: Women Leaders Online reported that a number of the most serious urban U.S. terrorism acts were perpetrated by members of Christian Identity groups, including: Eric Rudolph, a suspect in bombings at a Birmingham AL abortion clinic and at the Atlanta Olympics Arsonists who torched three synagogues in Sacramento CA in 1999-JUL Murder of a gay couple near Redding, CA Buford O'Neal Furrow Jr, suspect in the murder of a postal service employee and the attempted murder of 5 individuals at a Jewish community center in Los Angeles CA in 1999-AUG. "and many other violent crimes across the country." In addition, three men who were charged with two bank robberies, and three bombings in Spokane, Washington in 1996-APR were linked to the CI movement. The crimes were apparently motivated by a need to raise money for the group.

These terrorist acts appear to be planned and executed by individual Christian Identity followers, and not by Identity churches or the movement itself. Because of the freedom of speech and religion guaranteed in the 1^st Amendment of the Constitution, the FBI is prohibited from general monitoring and infiltrating of Christian Identity and similar groups.

1999-OCT-20: The FBI announced completion of their Project Megiddo report. This followed an intensive study of the possibility of domestic terrorism during the millennium. It included a section on the Christian Identity movement. ₅
Reverend Willie Smith, who was formerly a Baptist minister for 26 years, founded Lewende Hoop (Living Hope) in Kroonstad in the Free State in the late 1990s. He said: "I looked around and saw the need of my people, the Afrikaners. They do not know who they are. The other churches are not preaching the truth. But I tell them, you are the people of the Bible. The Bible was written for you....We strayed from the teachings of the Bible. Our leaders sold us out. They want us to mix with the other races. But it is not working. The other churches are preaching that you must love all. But we don't want that. We don't want to overthrow the Government. We have to wait for deliverance from the Lord....We are suffering under this ANC-communist regime. We want blacks, coloreds and the other races to return to their traditions. If we rule, it will be a blessing for all of Africa." Smith's group allegedly consists of thirty congregations with a total of 6,000 believers. ₈

Useful references:

1. Mark Thomas, Editor, The Watchman 1993-OCT. They have no connection with the "Watchman Fellowship", an counter-cult group.
2. "The Watchman" periodical for 1995-NOV-24. It was available at: http://www2.stormfront.org/watchman/terror.html Link is now defunct.
3. "The Watchman", the voice of the Pennsylvania Christian Posse Comitatus. It was available at: http://www2.stormfront.org/watchman/index.html However, it has recently been discontinued, and replaced with a message: "According to published news reports, Watchman editor Mark Thomas has pled guilty to involvement in a series of bank robberies and has agreed to become a government witness. I have therefore shut down his page, which Stormfront had designed and hosted free of charge...."
4. Patricia Wilson, "FBI Director Freeh Warns of Millennium Violence," Excite News/Reuters, 1999-FEB-4.
5. "Project Megiddo, III Christian Identity," online at the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) at: http://www.cesnur.org/testi/FBI_006.htm
6. Michael Barkun, "Religion and the Racist Right," The University of North Carolina Press, (1997), Page. 60.
7. Michael Barkun, HateWatch broadcast on 1998-JAN-26.
8. "Apartheid cults on the rise in South Africa," ReligionNewsBlog.com, 2003-JUN-26, at: http://www.gospelcom.net/

good read...

Thing thins that popped out...at less for me was those that believe that cains children are the real isrealights.

Just a wird thought!

The word states that Jesus came from SETH's line, not cains.

Right!?


(I found this to be a good read!
http://www.gotquestions.org/Cain-afraid.html

Question: "Who was Cain afraid of after he killed Abel?"

Answer: In Genesis 4:13-14, shortly after he killed his brother Abel, “Cain said to the LORD, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.’” Who exactly was Cain afraid of? The only people the book of Genesis had mentioned to this point are Adam and Eve (Cain’s parents) and Abel (who was now dead). Who would possibly be a threat to Cain?

It is important to recognize that Cain and Abel were both full-grown adults at the time that Cain killed Abel. Both Cain and Abel were farmers, who tended to their own lands and flocks (Genesis 4:2-4). The Bible does not tell us how old Cain and Abel were, but they very likely could have been in their 30’s or 40’s or even hundreds of years old (Adam lived to be 970 years old). The Bible does not specifically mention Adam and Eve having any children between Abel and Seth (Genesis 4:25). However, it is highly unlikely that the two most perfect human beings in the history of the world, Adam and Eve, would not have any children over several decades. Adam and Eve had many children after Seth (Genesis 5:4), so why would they not also have had other children between Abel and Seth? The Bible does not say that Seth was Adam and Eve’s first child, or even first son, after Abel was killed. Rather, it states that Seth was born as a “replacement” for Abel. Genesis chapter 5 traces the genealogy of Seth. Prior to his death, Abel was likely the “chosen” son that would eventually produce the Messiah (Genesis 3:15). It is in this sense that Seth “replaced” Abel.

So, who was Cain afraid of? Cain was afraid of his own brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces, who were already born and would be capable of seeking revenge. The fact that Cain had a wife (Genesis 4:17) is a further evidence that Adam and Eve had other children after Cain and Abel, but before Seth.

(as well as...)

Matthew 1
1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

4And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

7And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

9And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

11And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

15And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

(as well as)

THE GENEALOGY OF THE ROYAL LINE
FROM ADAM TO NOAH
GENESIS FIVE
THE CREATION OF MAN RESTATED
Genesis 5:1-2
The genealogical list in Chapter 5, is titled the "Book of the Generations of Adam." This is not a list of all his posterity, but only of his decedents through the lineage of Seth. This is called the "royal" line because the decedents of Seth believed and followed God. Through them God's promise of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, would be accomplished. The Gospel of Luke, Christ's genealogy begins with Adam and Seth. (Luke 3:23-38) The posterity of Cain, Adam's son who rejected God is not included here. Eve named the third son Seth, which she explained meant, "For God has appointed another seed instead of Abel, who Cain shew." (Gen. 4:25) Abel believed and followed the Lord. Until the birth of Seth, Cain and his children did not trust God. Genesis 4:26, states that after the birth of Seth men began to call on the name of God again.

In verse one, the genealogy is stated as being, "the book of the generations of Adam." The word "book" means this was a written record. Moses, Jesus said was the writer of the Book of Genesis. (Luke 24:27,44) This indicates Moses had the advantage of having written records of the early events of Creation. Modern, so called science, influenced by the teachings of evolution says that early man could not write. There is no reason not to believe that this was not a written record. The "book" was probably added to after each subsequent generation was born.


Again God states in these verses that He created man and in His likeness. This likeness or "image" (Genesis 1:27) meaning they were like God having a will, intelligence and emotion. God states absolutely that He created them and they were created male and female. This contradicts the theistic evolutionist who seeks to combine evolution and the Bible stating God used evolution to create man. This God states man began as a complete man and woman. This total precludes any room for them "evolving."

God says He "blessed" them, meaning he showed them favor. God expresses His purpose in that even when man was rejecting God, He still had man's best interests at heart. God has always sought to forgive and reconciled man to Himself.

God called their name, "Adam." The word "Adam" and "man" is the Hebrew word "aw-dawn." It means "human being, person or mankind." It is used interchangeably between the man Adam, and mankind. It is worth noting that God used the masculine word "aw-dawn" referring to both Adam and Eve. Those that have de-sexed the Bible have made a grave error. God referred also to the woman Eve, as a part of mankind. God placed the responsibility for mankind on the shoulders of Adam, the man. To attempt to destroy the order in which God made man is to bring confusion and a disruption of society as God created it to be. Those who resent the masculine references in the Bible, shows how tainted man's mind is by the effects of sin. Paul said man became vain in his thinking and his foolish heart became darkened, and professing himself to be wise he became a fool. (See Romans 1:18-32)

The word "created" is the word, "bara" meaning to create absolutely or out of nothing.


THE GENEALOGY OF ADAM
Genesis 5:3-5
When Adam was one hundred and thirty years old he fathered a son he called Seth. The Bible says Seth was born in the "likeness" of his father. Man, created in the "likeness" of God, was not sinful. (Genesis 1:26) However, the sons born to Adam after he sinned, inherited his sinful nature. Seth, and all the posterity of Adam, is born under the curse of sin. Roman's 5:18, "Therefore as by the offense of one [referring to the Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation." Seth was born a sinner in the likeness of his father who had become a sinner and thus had purged the race of man into sin.

The Bible states Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters but does not name them. Only given is the genealogy of Seth because from his line would come the Lord Jesus.

Adam lived another eight hundred years after the birth of Seth making him nine hundred and thirty years old at his death. His long life and those of the patriarchs who lived before Noah is probably due to the effects of the vapor canopy that was over the earth. (See pages 7-8 of this commentary) With the harmful effects of the sun lessened and a better environment man lived longer.

See Figure 1. The chart showing the overlapping of the lives of those who lived before the Flood.


THE LINE OF SETH
Genesis 5:6-32
Morris states there is no reason to suppose any gaps in this record or that the years were more that normal years. He writes:

"The record is perfectly natural and straightforward and is obviously intended to give both the necessary genealogical data to denote the promised lineage and also the only reliable chronological framework we have for the antediluvian period of history."(1)

The Bible gives the names of the patriarchs with the actual year of their birth and death. This record does not allow for more than 1656 years from Creation to the Great Flood, because the chronology overlaps. Thus, again the literal Biblical account cannot be correlated with any form of evolution.


THE TRANSLATION OF ENOCH


Noted is the death of each patriarch except Enoch. In Genesis 5:24, it says "he walked with God and was not." His death recorded. In Hebrews 11:5, the New Testament says that Enoch was "translated." Literally it means to "transport, change sides or remove." God took Enoch to heaven and Enoch never saw death. Clearly his "walking" with the Lord, was the basis of God taking him to be with Him. Enoch's character is seen in references to him in Hebrews 11:5, and Jude 14. Enoch was a man of faith who trusted God. His trust for the Lord was manifested by his godly life.

Enoch was also a preacher of righteousness and warned the wicked men of his day of God's coming judgment. (Jude 14-15) The Jude passage also sheds some light on amount of knowledge the men of his day had of future prophetic events. This reference, as Morris points out, clearly is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation.(2) The only way they would have known was if God had told them. It appears they knew a lot about the coming Messiah.


THE BIRTH OF METHUSELAH, LAMECH AND NOAH
Genesis 5:25-32
Enoch had a son and named him, Methuselah. Methuselah's name has been interpreted to mean, "When he dies, it shall be sent."(3) Enoch prophesied of the coming judgment of God and gave them a time frame for this coming judgment. He told them, when Methuselah dies the judgment will come. Noah also preached righteousness and warned of God's wrath. The antediluvian people had ample instruction and warning. They could have turned from their sin, but "men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19)

Methuselah's son Lamech had a son named Noah. The Bible gives the meaning of his name as "He shall bring comfort to us in our work and toil because of the curse God placed on the ground." Lamech must have believed the warning concerning the coming judgment. Lamech, in naming Noah, recognized that God would preserve man through Noah. Lamech begat other sons and daughters. They perished in the Flood although their father and brother, Noah, believed God they did not. Clearly, many from the line of Seth rejected God and died when the judgment came.

The chapter closes with the record of Shem, Ham and Japheth, the three sons of Noah, who with their wives were saved in the Ark in the Great Flood.


References:



Figure 1.


Chart of Length and Overlapping of the Lives of the Patriarchs

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

1. Adam----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+(930) Adam
2. Seth (130)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+(1042) Seth
3. Enos (235)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------B
4. Cainan (325)----------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Mahalaleel (395)---------------------------------------------------------
6. Jared (460)------------------------------------------------------
7. Enoch (622)---------------------------------+(987) Was Translated
8. +Methuselah (687)----------------------------------
9. +Lamech (847)------------------
10. +Noah (1056)
1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100

1.
2. F (1656)
3.--+(1140) L
4.--------------+(1242) Cainan O
5.--------------------+(1290) Mahalaleel O
6.-------------------------------------+(1422) Jared D
7. 8.------------------------------------------------------------+ (1656) Methuselah
9.-----------------------------------------------------------+ (1651) Lamech
10.------------------------------------------------1536 Ark Begun-----------------------------------+(2006) Noah
11. (1556) Shem, Ham, Japheth Born to Noah----------------------+(2102) Shem
12. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+(2008) Abraham

Note:

Shem lived 75 years after Abraham entered Canaan.
There is no record of the death of Ham and Japheth.

END NOTES



1. The Genesis Flood, Dr. Henry Morris, pg 154
2. Morris, pg 156.
3. Morris, pg 160.

http://www.bible-truth.org/GEN5.HTM


This was a really cool page for me to find. Taking not not only that those that believes the real isrealights came from Cain, WRONG! AS WELL...as Shem being alive at the time of Abraham...guessing that Sham was that uncle that Abraham just couldnt leave behind, that as well as his nephwe LOT! I like finding things like this!

Anways, I dont like when others twist the word to seemingly get what they want out of it, a lie, is a Lie. We all have to know what is in the word so that we arent lead to believe a lie. Some I noted over the years believe that the word is wrong because the believe that the word says that there was 14 gens from abram. to dav. from Dav, to bab.lon. and from b to to Josheph as stated above...the than say that it is a lie because there isnt that many from adam to abraham...no dought...because there is more than that, and that isnt what the word said at all. I asked about this befor and didnt get a clear answer, so I found it at the same time as I look up Seth, and his bloodline to Abraham. So what is claimed by those that feel that those are the real isrealights are liers. The Jews arent from the bloodline of Cain but Seth alone! Nut jobs!

But once again, I will have to point out that when Jesus himself says that he is the only way, than that is true, He is the ONLY WAY. All the reast of this stuff is that is put out there to make others seem more than they are is just garbage. With out Jesus, we are nothing, but Through him, we are HIS...children of G-d. Payed for! There are those that are his and will never change just because others state that they arent. Abrahams children are those that are from him and it is through those that have carried the birth right, that carried this claim, not by those that get it from some where else.

By the ways, I just thought about the point where they state they get this bloodline, this clain cant be true being the word states that only the bloodline of those that servived the flood would have servived at all, and it states that those from the flood did move to those areas, being all areas that had the sea by them, costle lands. but that didnt mean that this changed the rights of those that had the birth right. So, even their claims are based on lies.

Anyways, good read!

Peacemaker, that was a fabulous post. Many thanks and I know that others will really enjoy reading it - your insight is a wonderful addition to the topic. Thousands of guests come into Christian-forum.net to read here - one of the best Christian forums in the world before Jesus comes, and they will learn alot from your contribution. Many thanks.
Maranatha

I just have a feeling come over me of joy as I read your words, and I jumped, cool!

joy oh, Abba!

The Christian Identity movement is perhaps one of the most dangerous theological doctrines in America today. It is made all the more dangerous by the fact that so few people even realize that it exists, much less what exactly it represents.

Christian Identity and British-Israelism
The origins of the American and Canadian Christian Identity movements can be traced back to a peculiar yet relatively benign ideology of late 19th century England. One of the earliest proponents of the pseudo-religious British-Israelism (sometimes called Anglo-Israelism) was Richard Brothers, who explained to anyone who would listen that Western Europeans, especially those living in Britain, were the spiritual and literal descendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

Ideology and Theology of Christian Identity
Understanding Christianity Identity requires understanding a few basic aspects of their ideology and theology: they are not fundamentalists and in fact disagree with fundamentalism on a number of key points, they hate the Jews with an incredible and almost indescribable passion, and they have adopted a Manichean Dualism in which Satan is just about as powerful as God.

Politics of Christian Identity
Unfortunately, Christian Identity isn't a small, isolated ideology with no political or social consequences for the rest of society. The fact of the matter is, CI adherents have big plans for society - plans which the rest of us would probably not be happy about seeing enacted. Understanding the Identity movement cannot be limited to simply learning about their history and current ideological position. In addition, people need to be aware of what sorts of political and social goals they have.

Christian Identity and British-Israelism

The Origins and Development of Hate

The origins of the American and Canadian Christian Identity movements can be traced back to a peculiar yet relatively benign ideology of late 19th century England. One of the earliest proponents of the pseudo-religious British-Israelism (sometimes called Anglo-Israelism) was Richard Brothers, who explained to anyone who would listen that Western Europeans, especially those living in Britain, were the spiritual and literal descendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

This managed to fit in well with a common theme in American Christianity which portrayed America as the "New Israel" and the "City on the Hill" which would provide the world with both the light of God and the light of democracy. British-Israelism went a bit further than this, however, in portraying the British (or anyone of Anglo-Saxon descent) as alone being the true chosen people, not the Jews. The Jews would be variously described as simply the descendants of Judah and who required the help of the true Israelites, or perhaps not true Jews at all.

British Israelism came early on to American shores, spreading its message across the country. The path was prepared for Christian Identity in three major ways. First, the followers of British-Israelism spread pamphlets and information to large numbers of people who were otherwise unaware of its doctrines. These ideas would eventually come to form the core of Christian Identity.

Second, a forum was created in which a diverse cross-section of racists, nationalists, anti-Semites, and others on the far-right felt welcome. Finally, a large infrastructure of contacts, groups, publishers, etc. was created. This eventually would allow for the development of a widely spread Christian Identity organization.

I deliberately use the term "North America" rather than just America. Although Christian Identity is probably more common in the United States than anywhere else, it is nevertheless true that they also exist in significant numbers in Canada as well. Canadians are justifiably proud of a society which has traditionally been very tolerant of many minorities.

However, they like America have had a tradition of racism, bigotry and hate. In recent years more and more Canadians are become aware of how deep they still run - they, too, will benefit from learning the nature of some of the hatred in their society.

Millennialism

One key inheritance which Christian Identity received was its millenarian outlook on life. According to British-Israelism, we are living in the "Last Days" when all of history will reach its final culmination in the apocalyptic battle between good and evil. Two different millenarian positions existed in the 19th century: premillennialism and postmillenialism.

The first is postmillenialism (after the millennium), and this is the position that our world is getting better and better through human efforts as the Kingdom of God is gradually realized. Eventually, things will be so good that a thousand years of peace and prosperity will result, after which Christ will finally return and bring in a new heaven and a new earth.

Postmillenialism used to be more common in the 19th century, but has given way to premillennialism (before the millennium), asserts that our world is just getting worse and worse. Evil is gradually gaining control of the earth and humanity - eventually it will become overwhelming. Christ will then return, bind the devil in hell, and establish a thousand years of peace and prosperity.

Thereafter Satan will be let loose for one last chance to tempt humanity, after which he and his followers will be thrown forever into torment. Only then will Christ bring about a new heaven and earth. This is the position which appears to be most common today, especially among fundamentalists. Within pre-millenialism there are two different positions: historicism and futurist.

Historicists traditionally examine human history in order to discern signs of Jesus' Second Coming. Typically historicists focus closely upon the books of Daniel and Revelations, concluding that most of the prophecies have already been fulfilled, which means that we can only have a little bit of time left.

Their hope is to study current political trends in the expectation that they will be able to calculate our end with a high degree of accuracy. We see this happening even today when we hear pronouncements that Prince Charles or Saddam Hussein is the "Antichrist." Historicism, however, has fallen considerably out of favor - for the obvious reason that historicist predictions keep failing.




Dispensationalism had significant consequences for both British-Israelism and later Christian Identity. Although God had made specific promises to the Jews, they had the audacity to reject his Messiah, Jesus Christ. This resulted in a very paternalistic attitude towards the Jews and their aspirations for their own country.

Eventually, such British-Israelist paternalism became a more virulent sort of anti-semitism due in no small part to the rising star of Zionism. The anti-Semitic themes nurtured over the years by BI eventually provided the basis for the stronger anti-Semitism of Identity theology.

It is a necessary conclusion of British-Israelism's claim to being the True Israel that the Jews religious claims are lessened to a great degree. At the very best, they would have to be content with a small role in God's overall plan for humanity, perhaps affiliated with the tribe of Judah, if they are lucky. Zionism came into play because the Jews should only have a claim to a homeland under the supervision of the British.

The very concept of genuine sovereignty for a Jewish state was anathema for British-Israelism because that could only happen if the British left. In such a case, Palestine and the Holy Lands would at best have a Judah, but not the True Israel. A sovereign Jewish state would also represent direct competition against British claims to being Israel, an intolerable situation.




Ideology and Theology of Christian Identity

Remaking Christianity Along Fascist Lines

Despite many similarities, Christian Identity and Christian Fundamentalism comprise two very different theologies. For example, American Fundamentalism adopted Darby's futurism completely, but Christian Identity rejected it just as completely. Christian Identity is particularly hostile to the futurist concept of rapture. They regard it as a cowardly idea and in fact revel in the hope of having to experience the Tribulation personally.

For Christian Identity followers, it will be one of the greatest honors to serve the Lord and battle against the forces of Satan.


It is no wonder, then, that Christian Identity adherents can often be found in fortress-like compounds where they have stock-piled food, weapons and supplies. They are actively preparing for a near future, and their preparations have both immediate and serious consequences for the rest of us who live in the same society with them.

Fundamentalists are actively concerned for the fate of Jews and of Israel in particular. For fundamentalists, the creation of the state of Israel represents a major step forward in the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity. But Christian Identity, as we will learn more about later, regard the Jews as the literal spawn of Satan - so for them, the Jewish occupation of the Holy Lands has nothing to do with God's plans.

Finally, Christian Identity is actively opposed to traditional churches, which they consider to be impure and corrupt. Churches have been deluded into believing that the Jews which exist today are God's chosen people and deserving of special treatment. Fundamentalism is thus in a state of "spiritual bankruptcy" from which it cannot be rescued.

Identity & Jews

Perhaps the greatest distinguishing characteristic between CI and not only its cousin fundamentalism but its parent BI is its extreme anti-Semitism. Identity believers aren't simply displeased with Jews - they hate them with a passion and have incorporated the Jews as intricate elements within Identity theology. Even at its worst, the anti-Semitism of BI was never quite so bad, since the Jews were always considered salvagable.

But in Christian Identity, there is no hope for the Jews - not now and not ever. It would take too much time to go into all of the morbid details here, but Identity believers over the years have managed to construct an elaborate blood line for the contemporary Jews which begins with a union between Eve and the serpent (who was really Satan) back in the Garden of Eden.

It then progresses through Cain (the produce of the aforementioned union), the Edomites, Canaanite and Hititte blood is mixed in, then the Khazars of central Asia and down to the contemporary Jewish populations.


We thus encounter a fusion of a number of conspiracy beliefs, especially the two which include the Jews on the one hand and the forces of Satan on the other, each dedicated to a worldwide, millennial old conspiracy to take over the world via economic and political means.

Identity & Dualism

Christian Identity has an unusual relationship with Satan, regarding him in a manner which would not be familiar in most Christian churches today. The Devil is no mere upstart angel looking to cause a ruckus among humans. Instead, he is a terrible and powerful adversary who really does have the strength and potential to unseat God from the throne of creation. This sort of theology is called Dualism - and although Christian Identity doesn't quite go so far as to adopt Dualism completely and explicitly, they do come awfully close.

Identity thus wavers precariously between pessimism and optimism. On the one had, they know that they are God's chosen few, dedicated to the final victory of the Lord as foretold in the Bible. They claim to possess special knowledge about the secret workings behind contemporary political and economic institutions. They also claim to have knowledge of the great cosmic conspiracy designed to overthrow God

On the other hand, their theology would not survive if it weren't for the possibility that Satan could win. Group cohesion is strengthened through the fear that if they do not do their job in the coming battle, the Lord's cause may not be fulfilled. Such pessimism is ultimately reinforced through their very actions.

Their ideology is so extreme that they are not believed or even respected by most other Christians, thus lending credibility to the idea that most of the rest of humanity is either in league with the force of Satan or at least has been duped by Satan. Their focus upon preparing for battle has lead them to already mentioned fortress-like compounds, thus further removing them from society and creating ever more distrust between them and the rest of us.

Identity & Mormonism

As with fundamentalism, there is curious range of similarities and difference between the theologies of Christian Identity and the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (commonly known as the Mormons). Perhaps the most significant point of similarity centers around the figure of Cain. Early Mormon doctrine associated the figure of Cain very closely with conspiracy, evil, and the non-white races around the world.

According to Joseph Smith in his book "Pearl of Great Price," Cain entered into a covenant with Satan - in exchange for doing Satan's bidding here on Earth, Cain became the first to learn the secrets for doing evil. Cain also swore an oath to Satan, creating eventually a network of organizations around the world beholden to evil.

Smith further linked Cain to non-white races, describing blacks as the sons of Cain as early as 1842. This quite readily created a connection between non-whites and evil, implicating them in a conspiracy to destroy whites in their covenant with God. Such racist attitudes towards blacks in particular survived long in the Mormon church, and it was only recently that they were permitted to leadership positions within the church hierarchy.

Another interesting point of similarity is that Mormons also see themselves as the "True Israel." They are recipients of newer revelations from God, and as such have replaced earlier groups of "chosen people," including the Jews. For Joseph Smith, people who converted to Mormonism had joined the bloodline of Israel, whether they realized it or not.

Despite all of this, there is no direct causal link between Mormonism and Christian Identity. In particular, Mormonism is not afflicted by the terrible anti-Semitism which plagues CI. As with fundamentalists, they regard the existence of a state of Israel as a good thing. However, many traditional Mormon doctrines, when accepted, can make a person more predisposed to accepting much in Christian Identity.




<a name="CI-Politics">Politics of Christian Identity

Remaking America Along Fascist Lines

Unfortunately, Christian Identity isn't a small, isolated ideology with no political or social consequences for the rest of society. The fact of the matter is, CI adherents have big plans for society - plans which the rest of us would probably not be happy about seeing enacted. Understanding the Identity movement cannot be limited to simply learning about their history and current ideological position. In addition, people need to be aware of what sorts of political and social goals they have.

There are six general political and social aims of the Christian Identity movement: two within the law, two outside the law and two which are more ambiguous.

Legal Goals

The two activities are the effort to bring the American legal system into accord with the basic legalisms in the Bible and to campaign for support of political candidates who advocate Identity positions. The hope of biblicizing American law is not unique to Christian Identity - they share it with the Christian Reconstructionists, an ideology which is related but not identical. The general idea is that all human law should be subordinate to divine law, and Christian Identity followers look forward to the day when human law ceases to exist

A problem arises, however, when human law comes into conflict with divine law. If they do, then a person who feels only beholden to divine law may no longer regard human law as legitimate or binding - thus leading to overt disobedience. If human law has no claim on the obedience of these Christians, then there exists the risk of their engaging in violence in an effort to avoid punishment.

Fortunately, few Christian Identity politicians manage to get anywhere and achieve anything beyond the most local arenas. There have, however, been a couple of notable exceptions, including the infamous David Duke, who won a seat in the Louisiana state legislature running as a Republican. Although he has never been clearly identified as an Identity believer, he has long maintained very strong connections with prominent Identity figures. In addition, as many people know, he was a leader of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan - and Klan religious politics typically run closely with Identity and sometimes are identical.

Grey Areas

Two other aims which lie in a legal grey area are the development of survivalist communities insulated from the rest of the world and the establishment of far-right organizations which express the view that only the most local political organizations are actually legitimate. Although local governments certainly are legitimate, the idea that state and federal governments are not legitimate carries with it the possibility of resistance against governmental actions, even violent resistance.

The concept of survivalism encompasses a wide range of beliefs and ideologies - the Christian Identity brand includes anticipation of immanent catastrophe and, as the new Israel, they need to withdraw from the rest of the world until the danger finally passes. In theory, they have no immediate quarrel with civil authorities. The idea is, if they are left alone, they will leave others alone. Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to leave such communities alone - they potentially run afoul of all sorts of laws and regulations, from environment to child welfare.

In addition, radical withdrawal from the outside world into an insular community can easily engender a siege mentality - regarding everything outside their narrow system as the realm of Satan, not worthy of either respect or legitimacy. Their very preparations for Armageddon can bring them into direct confrontation with civil authorities, as we saw with the fiasco with the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Self-fulfilling prophecies tend to be the worst kind.

The radical localism advocated by Identity supporters is not unique to them - indeed it is common theme we can find among a wide variety of far-right groups. In fact, this particular theme is a common one which provides an entry point for many people into Identity politics. People who share CI ideals of localism and taxes may, over time, be brought to adopt other Identity ideologies.

Posse Comitatus is a movement of many loosely associated groups and means, literally, "power of the country." Technically it refers to the individual citizens called in by a local sheriff to aid in dealing with lawbreakers. As interpreted by the movement, the Posse and the local sheriff are the only legitimate political and legal authorities in existence - anything above county level is flatly rejected. Although Posse Comitatus is not a part of Christian Identity, the same people are often prominent in both.

With an independent group of citizens in each county acting as a law unto itself, interpreting what it saw as "God's Law" on its own in any particular time and place, we all enter a dangerous area. Heavily armed vigilantes answerable to no one but themselves are exactly what a legal system is designed to prevent. Although the radical localism of Identity followers might take on a purely rhetorical form with no serious content, it might also be something which some extremists will attempt to enforce. In an armed confrontation, there will be no real winners.

Beyond the Law

The final two aims which clearly lie beyond the limits of the law are the planning, organizing and actual efforts to overthrown our current government and the attempt to effect territorial secession, typically of states located in the northwest. The point, of course, would be to establish a real "Aryan Nation" which would be racially, religiously, and ideologically pure, just waiting for Christ's Second Coming and their key role in the Tribulation.

Both of these ideas, oddly enough, have roots in a work of fiction which isn't even Identity oriented: The Turner Diaries. It is circulated widely in Identity circles and cited with great approval - and it may in fact have been the inspiration for the bombing of the Oklahoma Federal Building, since it mirrored so closely the events in the book.

Other similarly violent activities include those of The Order, which appears to have been consciously modeled after a similar organization in The Turner Diaries.

In 1984, members of The Order stole $3.8 million from an armored car, most of which has never been recovered. Large contributions were made to extremist and Identity organizations. That same year they were responsible for the assassination of Alan Berg, a Jewish radio talk show host in Denver who engaged in harsh criticism of neo-nazis and Identity ideology. Most of the members were eventually killed or imprisoned.

As to separatism, there are many conflicting ideas as to how it should a separate nation should be created. Some believe in the use of violence, but it is unlikely that that would really work. The numbers of those who advocate violence are few, probably a sensible reaction to the failure of violence to be effective for other groups. Others think that only minimal force should be used, and that political persuasion be the principal tool. Unfortunately, no feasible political arguments are forthcoming. The only similar project in American history was an abysmal failure and resulted in a tremendous amount of death, destruction and misery.

For Identity believer, the Last Days are at hand and they are called upon by God to take an active role. This has consequences for the rest of us, so we should take notice of what they believe and what they intend to do. Aggressive tactics from law enforcement has not yet had a serious impact upon either the message or the popularity of Identity ideology.

The chances of violent actions from Christian Identity has perhaps lessened - but only due to an increase in prudence, not because of any genuine political changes. The potential for violence perhaps lies most in the hands of the civil authorities and their choices of reactions to Identity acts. Miscalculations by authorities will make violence much more likely, if not inevitable - just as was the case with the Branch Davidian fiasco. Although the Davidians were certainly not Identity believers, their social dynamics and relations with authorities were very similar.

We have a lot to learn from what happened in Waco, Texas - and we'd better learn it sooner rather than later.






The Christian Identity religion asserts that whites, not Jews, are the true Israelites favored by God in the Bible. In most of its forms, Identity theology depicts Jews as biologically descended from Satan, while non-whites are seen as soulless "mud people" created with the other Biblical "beasts of the field."


Christian Identity has its roots in a 19th-century English fad called British Israelism, which asserted that European whites were descended from the ten "lost tribes" of Israel and were thus related to Jews, who were descended from the other two Hebrew tribes mentioned in the Bible. But British Israelism, which was initially friendly to Jews, was adopted and transformed in the 20th century into a rabidly anti-Semitic creed by a number of racist preachers in the United States.



For decades, identity has been one of the most important ideologies for the white supremacist movement. In its hardest line form, it asserts that Christ will not return to earth until the globe is swept clean of Jews and other "Satanic" fluences. In recent years, deep doctrinal disputes, the lack of a central church structure, and a shift among white supremacists towards agnosticism and racist variations of neo-Paganism have weakened the Identity movement and reduced the number of its adherents. The total number of groups counted in 2002 was 27.

http://www.againstnazi.com/christian_ident...ement.htm#CI-BI