Are Christians Terrorists?

All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. Jesus Matt 24: 8-10

Recently I came across a document put out by The Office of Homeland Security entitled:

Rightwing Extremism: Current Ecnomic and Political Climate fueling resurgence in radicalization and recruitment

This document was sent out to all law enforcement agencies in our country with the purpose to "facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States". Basically as kind of an assessment of what's going on and what groups of people to look out for as potential terrorists. Sound good? Well, as I read deeper into it, I found the following paragraph. (highlighting is mine)

Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement's opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supermacists' longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issuees contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting govermment facilities, law enforcement officers, banks and infrastrature sectors

And in the following paragraph:

Antigovernment conspiracy theories and "end times" prophecies could motivate extreme individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extreme members of the militia movement

And on the next page

Many rightwing extremist groups perceive recent gun control legislation as a threat to their right to bear arms (Excuse me, don't we have the right to bear arms in the 2nd Amendment?) and in response have increased weapons and ammunition stockpiling.

This document caused me some discomfort. Mainly because it listed the very things I strongly believe in: Pro-life, the sanctity of marrige, the right to bear arms, in such a negative light as to indicate they would lead to some sort of violent act. Now, I realize that some people have blown up abortion clinics and harrassed and even killed gays in the name of Christianity, (acts I adhor) but there are always a few crazies on the fringes of any belief system. But to list these conservative beliefs along with end times prophecies and labeling such people as potential terrorists is ludicrous and very unsettling.

Read what Oliver North has to say

Washington, DC – According to the U.S. Government, I am an extremist. I am a Christian – and meet regularly with other Christians to study God’s word. My faith convinces me the prophesies in the Holy Bible are true. I believe in the sanctity of human life, oppose abortion and want to preserve marriage as the union of a man and a woman. I am a veteran with skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. I own several firearms, frequently shoot them, buy ammunition and consider efforts to infringe on my 2nd Amendment rights to be wrong and unconstitutional. I fervently support the sovereignty of the United States, am deeply concerned about our economy, increasingly higher taxes, illegal immigration, soaring unemployment, and actions by our government that will bury my children beneath a mountain of debt.
Apparently, all this makes me a “rightwing extremist.” At least that’s what it says in the April 7, 2009 “Assessment” issued by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The nine-page report, titled, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” is full of warnings about American citizens who share any of my background or subscribe to the beliefs above. It is one of the most alarming documents produced by our government that I have ever read.

If you want to see this document, you can find it at http://www.freedomalliance.org/