Pagan terrorism? Pagan motives for church burnings in the early 90s Norwegian black metal subculture
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| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | The church burnings wave of the early 90s in Norway connected with black metal subculture is often associated with Satanism. Regarding the act of church burnings, the term satanic terrorism is sometimes used. The paper aims to show that it is possible to speak (in some cases) about pagan terrorism rather than satanic terrorism. The reason is that some of the leading figures in the early Norwegian black metal subculture (especially Varg Vikernes) speak about their pagan motives for church burnings acts. These church burners have seen themselves as the successors of old Vikings and “pagan warriors” in the age-long war against Christianity and its culture. Using Mark Juergensmeyer’s terms we can understand such kind of pagan fights against Christianity as one of the types of cosmic war where public performances with high shock value are used. The part of church burnings wave in the early 90s can be therefore seen as the instance of the way paganism can make its potential to terrorism. |
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