Anders Behring Breivik

Anders Behring Breivik (or Fjotolf Hansen after undergoing a name change in 2017) is the convicted murderer of 77 people in and around Oslo, Norway, on 22 July 2011. He acknowledged having carried out the attacks, but claiming that he was acting out of necessity, he pleaded not guilty to domestic terrorism charges and is sentenced to 21 years, but because of Norway's prison system, will likely spend the rest of his life imprisoned. These include detonating a car bomb in Oslo, which killed eight, and perpetrating the massacre of 69 adolescents at a summer youth camp organised by the Norwegian Labour Party. His objective was to kill as many of the next generation of Norwegian social democrats as possible, because he holds the party responsible for allowing large scale Muslim immigration.[2][3] Breivik was formerly one of the youth leaders in Oslo of Fremskrittspartiet, a party noted for its anti-immigrant views.[4] That party immediately condemned Breivik's actions.[5]

Nordic power &
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Movements & parties
People
Fake news
v - t - e
“”40% of our policies do not coincide with NSDAPs policies
—Breivik, calling himself at most 60% Nazi.[1]:1156

Before the attacks, he had compiled 2083: A European Declaration of Independence, a 1518-page[6] manifesto outlining his beliefs. He claims that he wrote approximately half of the document, while the rest is "a compilation of works from several courageous individuals throughout the world."[1]:5 The text is mainly based on, and promotes, the Islamophobic conspiracy theory called "Eurabia." Breivik claims to be part of a pan-European nationalist organisation which he refers to as the "Knights Templar,"[1]:1478-1479 using the name of an organisation which was instrumental in the Crusades. In this document, he describes his main goal as "a cultural conservative approach where monoculturalism, moral, the nuclear family, a free market, support for Israel and our Christian cousins of the east, law and order and Christendom itself must be central aspects (unlike now)."[1]:650

This is the new edgy extreme for internet neo-fascists to aspire to:[7] Neoreaction didn't last long. Now you gotta go full-on terrorism.

Early life

Anders Behring Brieivik's father Jens Breivik was a remote Norwegian diplomat who took little interest in his son, so Breivik lived with his mother Wenche, who suffers from borderline personality disorder. Breivik himself had a chequered but unremarkable past, with some indications of Aspergers. In his youth he was a sub-par graffitist, and in his young adulthood he made money as a degree forger, besides being an obsessive World of Warcraft gamer.[8][9]

Motivation and beliefs

Breivik is a militant nationalist and extreme ideological conservative. As is true of many with such convictions, he is convinced Muslim immigration to Europe poses an existential threat.[10] His writings frequently quote American alarmists like Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch.[11]

Psychological state

Breivik's attorney claimed that his client is "insane,"[12] a conclusion eventually reached by court-appointed psychiatrists, who declared him criminally insane due to paranoid schizophrenia.[13] This assessment was disputed by mental health experts, victims and lawyers, and a second evaluation was held in 2012, which concluded instead that Breivik suffered from antisocial personality disorder combined with narcissistic personality disorder but was not psychotic and could be tried as criminal. Breivik was pleased with this finding, as he considers himself a "political activist" and preferred facing jail to a psychiatric ward.[14] On 24 August 2012, Breivik was convicted on all charges including terrorism, multiple homicides, and causing an explosion. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison, but that can be extended indefinitely by five years at a time if deemed necessary to protect society.[15]

Opposition to "cultural Marxism"

Breivik denounces "cultural Marxism," which he equates with cultural relativism and multiculturalism.[16] "You cannot defeat Islamisation or halt/reverse the Islamic colonization of Western Europe without first removing the political doctrines manifested through multiculturalism/cultural Marxism", states his manifesto.[1]:"5

His manifesto paints the fifties as a golden age for Europe[17] and goes on to state that "Over the last fifty years, Western Europe has been conquered by the same force that earlier took over Russia, China, Germany and Italy. That force is ideology... The ideology that has taken over Western Europe goes most commonly by the name of 'Political Correctness.'"[1]:12 His outline of political correctness is as follows:

Just what is “Political Correctness?” Political Correctness is in fact cultural Marxism (Cultural Communism) – Marxism translated from economic into cultural terms. The effort to translate Marxism from economics into culture did not begin with the student rebellion of the 1960s. It goes back at least to the 1920s and the writings of the Italian Communist Antonio Gramsci. In 1923, in Germany, a group of Marxists founded an institute devoted to making the transition, the Institute of Social Research (later known as the Frankfurt School). One of its founders, George Lukacs, stated its purpose as answering the question, “Who shall save us from Western Civilisation?” The Frankfurt School gained profound influence in European and American universities after many of its leading lights fled and spread all over Europe and even to the United States in the 1930s to escape National Socialism in Germany. In Western Europe it gained influence in universities from 1945.

The Frankfurt School blended Marx with Freud, and later influences (some Fascist as well as Marxist) added linguistics to create “Critical Theory” and “deconstruction.” These in turn greatly influenced education theory, and through institutions of higher education gave birth to what we now call “Political Correctness.” The lineage is clear, and it is traceable right back to Karl Marx.[1]:13

2083 identifies four categories of "traitor":

  • "Category A traitors," described as "the most influential and highest profile traitors," include political, media and industrial leaders; the book advocates the death penalty for them.
  • "Category B traitors" are said to include "cultural Marxist/multiculturalist politicians" along with "journalists, editors, teachers, lecturers, university professors, various school/university board members, publicists, radio commentators, writers of fiction, cartoonists, and artists/celebrities etc." The death penalty is suggested for this group as well, but "punishment can be reduced under certain circumstances."
  • "Category C traitors" are less powerful individuals who facilitate groups A and B. 2083 does not advocate execution for these people but states that they are "considered as acceptable indirect casualties in larger operations where WMDs are involved" - an obvious justification for Breivik's atrocities.
  • Finally, "Category D traitors" are people who are deemed to be innocent of Breivik's charges (see below) but to have aided guilty parties, and so are considered unworthy of any punishment but still "acceptable indirect casualties."[1]:930-931

Charges

A lengthy section of 2083 outlines the crimes which Breivik has levelled against the "cultural Marxists":

Charge 1 includes "Aiding and abetting to cultural genocide against the indigenous peoples of Europe... According to the 'United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' the cultural Marxist/multiculturalist elites of Europe (all category A, B and C traitors) are committing cultural genocide against the Indigenous Peoples of Europe" and "Aiding and abetting a foreign invasion/colonisation of Europe by allowing systematical Islamic demographic warfare."

Charge 2 includes "Contributing to deliberately disallow Europe's indigenous peoples from exercising the right to resist the Islamic invasion/colonisation through demographic warfare" and "creating and/or maintaining the Marxist social structures which has led to an average fertility rate of less than 1.5 among the indigenous Europeans."

Charge 3 includes the accusation of "systematically importing Muslim voters... for the purpose of increasing and/or growing voter base," while Charge 4 covers "Contributing to deliberately exposing and thus endangering Europe’s indigenous peoples to individuals and groups who exercise a fascist, violent, discriminating and genocidal political ideology known as Islam."

Charge 5 works on the basis that any crimes committed by a Muslim in Western Europe can ultimately be blamed on the Government for allowing the Muslim to live in the country in the first place; its accusations include "Contributing to allowing the rape of aprox 1,1 million European women... Ratio is an average 200 rapes per 100 000 Muslims annually."

Charge 6 is a long denunciation of "war crimes against Croats but especially Serbs before, during and after the 1999 NATO bombings," while Charge 7 condemns the promotion of multiculturalism and media coverage of subjects which Breivik apparently deems to be related, such as "obsession with global warming instead of focusing on overpopulation."

Lastly, Charge 8 makes the accusation of "Aiding and abetting the enemy, the Global Islamic Ummah" in conflicts against Serbs, Israel, Christian Lebanon and Middle Eastern Christians.

After this comes a statement offering "a full pardon to the Western European multiculturalist regimes, the MA 100 alliance (political parties) and all category A and B individual traitors if they capitulate to our military forces by January 1st, 2020."[1]:771-785

Views on Islam

Unbelievably, despite often being described as "anti-Islam," Breivik is more accurately described as being against Islam in Europe, and has even spoken in terms which could be described as ambivalent about cooperating with Islamic extremists:

An alliance with the Jihadists might prove beneficial to both parties but will simply be too dangerous (and might prove to be ideologically counter-productive). We both share one common goal. They want control over their own countries in the Middle East and we want control of our own countries in Western Europe.[18]

Sound familiar?

Christianity

Although Breivik was initially described by the police as a "Christian fundamentalist,"[19] this was far from clear cut. Breivik follows the common white supremacist belief that the chief merit of Christianity is its ability to unite the indigenous peoples of Europe against foreigners, and stated in his manifesto that he sees himself as a "cultural Christian" rather than a "religious Christian":

A majority of so called agnostics and atheists in Europe are cultural conservative Christians without even knowing it. So what is the difference between cultural Christians and religious Christians? If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God then you are a religious Christian. Myself and many more like me do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God. We do however believe in Christianity as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform. This makes us Christian.[20]

Elsewhere in his manifesto he states that "I guess I will find out… If there is a God I will be allowed to enter heaven as all other martyrs for the Church in the past." This passage has been pointed to as evidence that he is an agnostic, not a Christian fundamentalist.[21]

However in 2015, in letters to the Norwegian newspaper Dagen, he revealed that he was never a Christian, and in fact an Odinist, like many Neo-Nazis, and thinks that the Jesus Figure and his message are "pathetic".[22]

Masonry

Breivik was a Freemason at the time of his attacks. He was subsequently removed from the order, as a statement on the Norwegian Order of Freemasons' website announced:

I am appalled by the horrible atrocity that was committed in the government district and at the Utøya island, says the Sovereign Grand Master of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons, Ivar A. Skar. We are filled with mourning and compassion for those who have been affected and their relatives. It has appeared in the media that the accused has been a member of the Norwegian Order of Freemasons. He has now been excluded - the exclusion immediately effective. The exclusion reflects that the acts he is accused of having carried out, and the values that appear to have motivated them, are completely incompatible with what we stand for as an Order.

We build our activity on Christian and humanistic values and want our members to contribute to the promotion of charity, peace and goodness among all people. The police will of course get all the help and information we can give to contribute to the investigation.[23]

Nazism

Breivik's manifesto states that the "Knights Templar are not in any way Nazi sympathizers. Preserving your tribe, cultural and demographical, is a basic human right and has nothing to do with 'white supremacy'." It claims that the Nazi party "was a left wing organisation, they hated Christendom, capitalism and propagated a strict definition of socialism. So do not make the mistake of allowing the Marxists/multiculturalists to label you as a Nazi." The identification of the Nazis as left-wing contradicts a later passage referring to them as "right wing extremists,"[1]:1435 possibly a result of the book's joint authorship.

2083 also claims that "I remain a staunch anti-Nazi and I blame NSDAP for the situation we are in... If the NSDAP had been isolationistic instead of imperialistic (expansionist) and just deported the Jews (to a liberated and Muslim free Zion) instead of massacring them, the anti-European hate ideology known as multiculturalism would have never been institutionalized in Western Europe, because the Marxists would never have been so radicalized to begin with."[24][1]:1435

The document lists National Socialism as one of the "4 hate-ideologies," the other three being Islam, Communism and multiculturalism.[1]:1237

In spite of Breivik's earlier claims of being "a staunch anti-Nazi", during a March, 2016 court hearing over supposed "inhuman and degrading treatment" during his detention[25], Breivik repeatedly gave a traditional Nazi salute (right arm extended with his palm out-stretched, facing down). Breivik's lawyer stated "He (Breivik) says he is a national socialist..." and that Breivik insisted on delivering the salute despite numerous requests by his counsel not to do so.[26]

Judaism

2083 is weirdly ambivalent on the subject of Jews, as statements such as these indicate:

Were the majority of the German and European Jews disloyal? Yes, at least the so called liberal Jews, similar to the liberal Jews today that opposes nationalism/Zionism and supports multiculturalism. Jews that support multiculturalism today are as much of a threat to Israel and Zionism (Israeli nationalism) as they are to us. So let us fight together with Israel, with our Zionist brothers against all anti-Zionists, against all cultural Marxists/multiculturalists. Conservative Jews were loyal to Europe and should have been rewarded. Instead, he just targeted them all... So, are the current Jews in Europe and US disloyal? The multiculturalist (nation-wrecking) Jews ARE while the conservative Jews ARE NOT. Aprox. 75% of European/US Jews support multiculturalism while aprox. 50% of Israeli Jews does the same. This shows very clearly that we must embrace the remaining loyal Jews as brothers rather than repeating the mistake of the NSDAP.

...

There is no Jewish problem in Western Europe (with the exception of the UK and France) as we only have 1 million in Western Europe, whereas 800 000 out of these 1 million live in France and the UK. The US on the other hand, with more than 6 million Jews (600% more than Europe) actually has a considerable Jewish problem. But please learn the difference between a nation-wrecking multiculturalist Jew and a conservative Jew. Don’t make the same mistake that NSDAP did. Never target a Jew because he is a Jew, but rather because he is a category A or B traitor. And don’t forget that the bulk of the category A and B traitors are Christian Europeans. 90% of the category A and B traitors in my own country, Norway, are Nordic, Christian category A and B traitors.[1]:163-164

If the NSDAP had been isolationistic instead of imperialistic(expansionist) and just deported the Jews (to a liberated and Muslim free Zion) instead of massacring them, the anti-European hate ideology known as multiculturalism would have never been institutionalized in Western Europe, because the Marxists would never have been so radicalized to begin with.[1]:1435

Feminism

Breivik viewed feminism as the height of political correctness and stated that "the feminisation of European culture is nearly completed."[27] We would be pleased to know what he thinks of women living in the Middle East.

Environmentalism

Breivik endorsed anti-environmentalism in his tract, especially the global warming conspiracy theory that global warming is a cover for "eco-Marxism." 2083 also provides a link to a Christopher Monckton video.[28]

Existence of the Knights Templar

According to Breivik, his Knights Templar organisation was founded in London in 2002. He mentions "one of the initial facilitators, a Serbian Crusader Commander and war hero" and claims to have been mentored by a member codenamed "Richard" (he identifies his own codename as "Sigurd"). Breivik stated that he believes himself to be the youngest member.[1]:1414 During his trial he insisted that he was "a military commander in the Norwegian resistance movement and Knights Templar Norway."[3]

There has been some speculation as to whether this group actually exists or is merely a figment of Breivik's imagination. Psychiatrist Dr. Lars Davidsson of the Angloeuropean Clinic in London, commented that "this organisation could exist - even if it is unlikely. My diagnosis is that he is a narcissistic psychopath. On his trip to England, more likely he was sitting in a pub, on his own, complaining to anyone who'd listen about foreigners. And he could have built this up, in his mind, into something more important."[29]

Relation with other nationalist groups

2083 is critical of the English Defence League but sees potential in it. The book argues that "Instead of condemning and rejecting organisations like EDL it is essential that conservative intellectuals contribute to help them on the right ideological path. And to ensure that they continue to reject criminal, racist and totalitarian doctrines."[1]:1241[30]

"I have on some occasions had discussions with SIOE [Stop the Islamisation of Europe] and EDL and recommended them to use certain strategies," wrote Breivik two years before his attacks. "The tactics of the EDL are now to 'lure' an overreaction from the Jihad Youth/Extreme-Marxists, something they have succeeded in doing several times already."[31]

A section towards the end of the Breivik's manifesto lists various nationalist groups from across Western Europe; not all of which are extremist (for example, the Royal British Legion and Campaign for an English Parliament are listed).[1]:1246

The blame game

Breivik has become the epitome and logical end-point of right-wing extremism in the eyes of some commentators and an inconvenient fact for some critics of Islam. For example, during Breivik's trial the British anti-fascist organisation Hope not Hate issued a "Counter-Jihad report" listing hundreds of organisations and individuals who are anti-Islam, pro-nationalism (and/or pro-Christianity); the spectre of Breivik is repeatedly invoked.[32] Commentators have criticised elements of the left for using Breivik's murders as a stick with which to beat the right.[33] The right-wing wacko Melanie Phillips wrote, "As soon as the atrocity happened, people on the Left saw a heaven-sent opportunity to smear mainstream conservative thinkers... I have become a principal target of this incendiary witch-hunt."[34]

Nevertheless it is true that in his freakin endless lengthy Manifesto, Breivik approvingly and extensively cites far right, Islamophobic sites, such as: Robert Spencer's Jihad Watch, Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs, Daniel Pipes, MEMRI, David Horowitz's FrontPage Magazine, and Pamela Geller. So the maniac clearly was on a steady diet of these types.[35]

It should be noted, however, that lefties displaying schadenfreude and playing the blame game, are not the only ones doing the latter. The nationalist website We Are The English responded to Breivik's atrocities by posting a short article on its Facebook page pinning the blame ultimately on politicians who push mass immigration and multiculturalism;[36] a similar tack was taken by Lee Ingram.[37] Some conspiracy theorists have cut out the middleman and surmised that Breivik himself is a left-winger, committing a government-backed false flag operation to discredit the right - see conspiracy theories surrounding the Oslo attacks for more on this matter.

gollark: But I can only type so fast.
gollark: Yes, it's quite hard to switch accounts enough.
gollark: See, I'm not sure that being able to do random mathy stuff computers can do in your head, well, generalizes well to other things.
gollark: Precisely.
gollark: Train it to do what, exactly?

See also

References
  1. Breivik, A. B. 2083: A European Declaration of Independence
  2. Norway: Anders Behring Breivik claims 'two more cells', BBC News, 25 July 2011
  3. Norway killer admits to massacre in first public statement, Reuters, 14 November 2011
  4. Norway election results: Anti-immigrant party with links to mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik set to enter government under Conservative leader Erna Solberg, The Independent, 10 September 2013
  5. Norway’s Far Right May Come to Power Despite Memory of Anders Breivik’s Killing Spree, TIME.
  6. For reference, that's bigger than such doorstops as The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged.
  7. Gerald Traufetter, "Mass Murderer's American Pen Pal: 'I Dream of Meeting Breivik'", Spiegel Online.
  8. Åsne Seierstad, One of us: The story of Anders Behring Breivik and the Massacre in Norway." New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2015.
  9. "Profile: Anders Behring Breivik," BBC website, April 12, 2012. Accessed June 19, 2019.
  10. Oslo Suspect Cultivated Parallel Life to Disguise ‘Martyrdom Operation’, The New York Times, 24 July 2011
  11. Killings in Norway Spotlight Anti-Muslim Thought in the U.S.
  12. "Norway attacks: Anders Behring Breivik appears insane, says his lawyer.", The Guardian, 26 July 2011
  13. "Norway massacre: Breivik declared insane", BBC News, 29 November 2011.
  14. "Norway's mass killer Breivik declared sane", 10 April 2012.
  15. "Anders Behring Breivik: Norway court finds him sane", 24 August 2012.
  16. Pages 4-5 of 2083 mention "Western Europe’s cultural relativist elites (cultural relativism=cultural Marxism)"; page 5 also mentions "the political doctrines known as multiculturalism/cultural Marxism/cultural relativism."
  17. Page 12: "Most Europeans look back on the 1950s as a good time. Our homes were safe, to the point where many people did not bother to lock their doors. Public schools were generally excellent, and their problems were things like talking in class and running in the halls. Most men treated women like ladies, and most ladies devoted their time and effort to making good homes, rearing their children well and helping their communities through volunteer work. Children grew up in two–parent households, and the mother was there to meet the child when he came home from school. Entertainment was something the whole family could enjoy. What happened? If a man of the 1950s were suddenly introduced into Western Europe in the 2000s, he would hardly recognise it as the same country."
  18. Anders Beivik imagined cautious alliance with Jihadists: “We both share one common goal”, "Joseph W", Harry's Place blog, 23 July 2011
  19. Norway attacks: profile of suspect Anders Behring Breivik, The Telegraph, 23 July 2011
  20. Is Anders Breivik a European Fundamentalist?, Ben Stevens, Huffington Post, 26 July 2011
  21. Anders Breivik is not a Christian fundamentalist, "Joseph W", Harry's Place, 27 July 2011
  22. http://www.dagen.no/Nyheter/hedning/Breivik-mener-Jesus-er-%C2%ABpatetisk%C2%BB-272638
  23. http://www.frimurer.no/ordenen/15-aktuelt/1192-the-norwegian-order-of-freemasons-expressing-compassion-and-care
  24. Anders Breivik and the Jews, "Joseph W", Harry's Place, 25 July 2011
  25. Breivik occupies a 3 room apartment style cell where he has a Playstation 3. Part of his complaint is not having access to the most up-to-date video games. He has also been allowed to complete university courses online. Inhuman indeed.
  26. Norwegian Mass Killer Anders Behring Breivik Gives Nazi Salute In Court
  27. On Breivik and Feminism, Chronicle of Higher Education
  28. The Breivik Manifesto and the Monckton Connection, Crikey
  29. "Knights Templar hijacked", Fortean Times, issue 281, pp. 22-25
  30. That means they would have to pull an Above Top Secret: reject themselves.
  31. Norway attacks: Utøya gunman boasted of links to UK far right, The Guardian, 23 July 2011
  32. Nick Lowles, "Counter-Jihad".
  33. http://frontpagemag.com/2012/04/20/the-scandalous-lies-of-hope-not-hate/
  34. Melanie Phillips, "Hatred, smears and the liberals hell-bent on bullying millions of us into silence", The Daily Mail.
  35. Briareus,"Why is this so difficult for Charles Johnson to admit?".
  36. http://archive.is/wN0nZ
  37. "Madman? You mean FREE-THINKER, don't you?" Leave it to Ingram to blame the government for an atrocity committed by a white guy.
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