Thinking About the Terrorist Murders in Norway

by Barry Rubin:

I don’t think this terrorist attack in Norway was a jihadist conspiracy nor is this guy a secret Islamist terrorist. He is clearly right-wing and anti-Muslim, lashing out against forces (the government and Labor Party) that he holds responsible for the growing “Islamization” or multiculturalism in Norway. The evidence also indicates, by the way, that he was not motivated by Christian religious sentiment. He looks at Christianity as an outsider.

Should we argue that such people don’t exist? Should we argue that hatred of Muslims cannot provoke terrorism? Should we claim that you cannot be a “right-wing terrorist” just as one can be a “left-wing terrorist”? Of course not.

We should rather say things like — but not limited to — the following:

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I mostly agree with Rubin, but not entirely. A case in point is that islam as a religion is a problem as I see it (I have read the Koran). Next, I see no real evidence this murdering maniac was a ‘right-winger’ (he does not appear to belong to any right-wing political parties) but rather there is copious evidence he was delusional and likely clinically insane.

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