American Militias

Rebellion, Racism & Religion

By Richard Abanes

InterVarsity Press, $14.99

ISBN 0830813683

What Is a Christian Defense?

Review by James Cutler

"True Christians have always stood against hatred and violence," says Richard Abanes, founder of the Religious Information Center of Southern California and author of American Militias: Rebellion, Racism & Religion. In an effort to help Christians decipher the radical events taking place in our times, he analyzes the growth and doctrine of U.S. extremist groups, giving special attention to events in the '90s, such as the Oklahoma City bombing.

Abanes does not lump together all people who are in militias and patriot movements. He traces the historical roots of different extremist groups from the militant right-wing gun-rights advocates, to anti-Semitic or neo-Nazi movements, to the confrontational anti-abortion and the anti-environmentalist movements. He says the paranoia of many of these groups is fueled by racism and overly zealous patriotism, and by the sense that we are near the end times.

Nor does Abanes ignore extreme actions of law enforcement authorities. The destruction of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, with ten deaths total, reminds us of how far federal authorities can go to accomplish their goals. He also thinks conflict between patriots and federal authorities is agitated by the media.

The issues Abanes raises are complex, and our responses may vary depending on individual causes and actions. The author reminds readers that in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Christians are admonished to "examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." In this national election year, following that biblical counsel is difficult, but reading American Militias is a good place to start.

James Cutler is an active layman and reviewer from Portland, OR.