On July 22, 2011, Anders Behring Breivik carried out two back-to-back terrorist attacks in Norway. He killed 8 people in the bombing of government buildings, then proceeded to a camp on the island of Utøya, where he shot and killed 69 people, mostly teenagers.
His mission? To save his country and Western Europe from Marxism and Muslim domination. His actions can never be justified or tolerated, and they can be explained only as the result of xenophobic and narrow-minded hatred and fear, towards multiculturalism and change.
The way Norwegians have responded to Breivik is beautiful and inspiring. Their tolerance to other cultures has not been shaken, but reinforced, and their hearts have been filled not with vengeance but with love. More than 150,000 Norwegians gathered in Oslo to mourn those that were killed. “Tonight, the streets are filled with love,” said the crown prince. “We have chosen to meet hatred with unity.” Mayor Fabian Stang delivered the message, “We will come together to punish the killer...Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance, and more democracy.”
His mission? To save his country and Western Europe from Marxism and Muslim domination. His actions can never be justified or tolerated, and they can be explained only as the result of xenophobic and narrow-minded hatred and fear, towards multiculturalism and change.The way Norwegians have responded to Breivik is beautiful and inspiring. Their tolerance to other cultures has not been shaken, but reinforced, and their hearts have been filled not with vengeance but with love. More than 150,000 Norwegians gathered in Oslo to mourn those that were killed. “Tonight, the streets are filled with love,” said the crown prince. “We have chosen to meet hatred with unity.” Mayor Fabian Stang delivered the message, “We will come together to punish the killer...Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance, and more democracy.”
This is the greatest response I could imagine. It is the purest and noblest way to defeat Breivik, and honor those that were killed. Unfortunately, the surge of unity and righteousness quickly faded around the world, replaced by the kind of blame and polarization that influenced the Norwegian terrorist.
Breivik had been identified as a far-right christian extremist. Therefore, some have tried to place blame on these associated groups. Breivik had mentioned conservative bloggers in his writings, and therefore far-right philosophy is aligned with Breivik’s mass murder, right? Well, Breivik also quoted Gandhi and Mark Twain.
As for blaming Christianity, Bill O’Riley has voiced his declaration that “Breivik is not a Christian. That's impossible. No one believing in Jesus commits mass murder. The man might have called himself a Christian on the net, but he is certainly not of that faith.” Of course Christianity does not instruct people to commit heartless acts of terrorism, and anyone who thinks so has misinterpreted something in the religion. But the same applies to Islam, and it frustrates me that O’Riley’s argument never seemed to surface around Muslim terrorism. If it had, maybe Breivik wouldn't have been so opposed to Muslims in Norway.
We cannot blame this terrorist act on the far-right or Christianity. We can only blame the insanity and misconstrued extremism of an individual. To do otherwise would only promote more prejudice, hatred, and fear. The only effective way to address terrorism, is the way Norway has. To prosecute the individual, and then sing out for enhanced love, unity, and acceptance.
When you fight fire with fire, everyone gets burned. As fire can only be doused by water, hatred can only be doused by love. Patriotism toward your country, and sustaining your traditions, are certainly important things. But in a future of unprecedented connectivity, we cannot afford to simply fortify our own beliefs and condemn any others. Welcome what is different, discuss what is wrong. Terrorism is ineffective... Give peace a chance.
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