Norway attacks - Christian extremist?

Like it or not, Anders Behring Breivik is the new face of Christian extremism.

If you don't believe me then just type the words "Christian extremist" into google images and you'll get dozens of results depicting the infamous 32 year old Norwegian.

It has been nearly two weeks since the self proclaimed Christian Knight Templar committed his terrible crime in Norway.  His carefully planned attacks took the lives of at least 77 people, and left his country and the rest of the world stunned.

In the aftermath many are trying to understand what drove this man to his actions.  Could he be mentally insane?  The cold and callous way in which he carried out the attack and the fact that he shows no remorse suggests that this may be the case - and will likely be the basis for his legal defense.  However, Dr Tarjei Rygnestad, the head of Norway’s Board of Forensic Medicine, says it is "unlikely that Breivik would be declared legally insane because his attacks were so minutely planned and executed."

The media has labeled Breivik a Christian extremist.  This has sparked heated debate across the board.  Christians, understandably, don't want to be identified with a fanatical mass murderer.  Muslims think that since Muslim extremists have somewhat tarnished the reputation of the Islamic faith why shouldn't Christianity be in the same boat?  Those with a political bent think it's a move by the left wing politicians and media to undermine Christian tradition and push their social agenda.

Breivik, in his 1500 page manifesto which he distributed just hours before the attacks, makes a distinction between Cultural Christians and Religious Christians.  According to him a Religious Christian is someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and God.  A Cultural Christian can be someone who "believes in Christianity as a cultural, social identity and moral platform"  Breivik considers himself a cultural Christian and says "if there is a God, I will be allowed to enter heaven as all the martyrs for the Church in the past".  

So apparently, to be a cultural Christian you don't need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and you don't even need to believe in God!  Christianity can be used as a moral platform and a social identity - but only when it's convenient.  It is nice to have those lovely Christian traditions like Christmas, Easter, weddings, etc... but belief in God is optional?