Massacre born of ideology or faith?

Anders Behring Breivik says he is both baptized and confirmed in the Protestant church, which he has stated was of his own free will at the age of 15.  But, he claims, the Protestant church will die.  He throws his support behind one Catholic priest's attack on modernity, as expressed here.

There has so far been no statement from any pastors/priests or other Christian leaders explaining or confirming any of Breivik's Christian involvement. Rather, his old schoolmates characterize him as an “underdog” who became silent and kept mostly to himself.  He grew up on the west end of Oslo. Friends say his father left the family when Anders was young.

He was “polite and service-minded,” say co-workers from a calling center for a mobile phone operator. “Always doing the duties he was assigned.”  But something must have happened, though acquaintances could only describe the change in terms of his demeanor. 

“As a small boy he was a typical child, but over the years he became more and more quiet and inwardly focused...I met him coincidentally a few months back and he did not even want to greet me,” an old friend told Nettavisen.no.

Christian by Choice

In his treatise, Breivik also writes about his upbringing among many non-ethnic Norwegian friends, his life as a tagger with relationships to gangs, as well as his religious training:

“My parents, being rather secular wanted to give me the choice in regards to religion. At the age of 15, I chose to be baptised and confirmed in the Norwegian State Church. I consider myself to be 100% Christian. However, I strongly object to the current suicidal path of the Catholic Church but especially the Protestant Church. I support a Church that believes in self defence and that is willing to fight for its principles and values, or at least resist the efforts put forth to gradually exterminate it.

The Catholic and Protestant churches are both cheering their own annihilation, considering the fact that they embrace ongoing inter-faith dialogue and the appeasement of Islam. The current church elite has shown its suicidal face, as vividly demonstrated last year by the archbishop of Canterbury's speech contemplating the legitimacy of Shariah in parts of Britain.” (page 1405)

Lawyer: Breivik Harbors Hatred

In an interview with the Norwegian newspaper VG, Breivik's lawyer Geir Lippestad says his client has the goal to radically change society.

“He harbors much hatred for the masses. He concluded he had no other alternative. He has tried the pen. His letters to the editor were refused, he has explained,” says Lippestad. The 32-year-old has also worked politically in the Progress Party but says no changes have happened and that “a violent revolution is cruel, but necessary.”   Breivik's attorney reported that the attacks were deliberately targeted against the Labor party.

"In his opinion, he has carried out a mission,” the lawyer said, according to VG.