ApologeticsIndex.org — The F.B.I.’s arrests of members of a Michigan-based Christian militia over the weekend has poignantly highlighted the re-emergence militia movement — the militant arm of the patriot movement
Nine members of the group, called the Hutaree, face sedition and weapons charges in a scheme to kill law enforcement officers to incite an anti-government revolt.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SLPC), an organization that tracks U.S. hate groups, Hutaree is one of 127 armed militias in the US. That number has increased 200 percent since 2008, when there were 42, SPLC says.
Hutaree
According to the Hutaree’s website the group’s name means ‘Christian Warrior.’
On its website, the Hutaree uses Christian terminology and Bible quotes that position it as a military organization prepared to confront an Antichrist.
– Article continues after this advertisement –
“Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive using equipment.… We, the Hutaree, are prepared to defend all those who belong to Christ and save those who aren’t,” a passage reads.
– Source: Hutaree militia arrests point to tripling of militias since 2008, Mark Guarino, Christian Science Monitor, Mar. 29, 2010, quoted by Religion News Blog
While it claims to be Christian, the group’s theology falls outside the boundaries of historical, Biblical Christianity — marking the Hutaree as, theologically, a cult of Christianity.
Research Resources
Apologetics Index has collected a number of research resources on militia groups and the patriot movement.
Start by reading a quote from ‘America’s Patriot Movement: infiltrating the church with the gospel of hate’ by Richard Abanes, author of ‘American Militias: Rebellion, Racism & Religion’ in our section on the Patriot Movement.
Continue with the resources on the Militia Movement, and also check the information of Christian Identity — the un-biblical, racist theology that adhered to by many so-called ‘Christian’ patriot and militia groups.
Article details
Related topic(s): Apologetics Index Blog, hutaree, militia groups, militia movement, patriot groups, patriot movement
First published (or major update) on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Original content is © Copyright Apologetics Index. All Rights Reserved. For usage guidelines see link at the bottom.