Why do people cite Timothy McVeigh as an example of a "Christian terrorist"?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

It's so incredibly stupid considering that: 1-His ideology and motivations had nothing to do with Christianity and 2-He wasn't even a Christian and was a self-described agnostic.

Since actual good examples DO exist it boggles my mind people have to resort to using such a terrible one. Sure he's a perfect example of a "white guy terrorist". But he was simply not a Christian terrorist, period.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Because people are ignorant and think that all Christians are like McVeigh, or that just because he opposed the pointless slaughter at Waco he suddenly became a Christian fundie (if you think the Branch Davidians were Christian).

[H. Ross Peron]

Because anti-government right-winger=fundamentalist Christian in the minds of a lot of people

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Because White Murricans are Real Murricans, and all Real Murricans are Christian.

[DC Al Fine]

People are ignorant and it fits a narrative.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Probably because of this letter from 1994

"I know in my heart that I am right in my struggle, Steve. I have come to peace with myself, my God and my cause. Blood will flow in the streets, Steve. Good vs. Evil. Free Men vs. Socialist Wannabe Slaves. Pray it is not your blood, my friend."

...and in a 1996 interview, McVeigh professed belief in "a God", although he said he had "sort of lost touch with" Catholicism and "I never really picked it up, however I do maintain core beliefs."

However, he professed that science was his religion and described himself as an agnostic in the years leading up to his execution.  

Any media attention that was given to his religious beliefs, not unlikely considering he brought up Waco, probably gave some focus to this conversion.  It's possible that gave people the impression he was a religious extremist at the time of the bombing.  

That all said... the guy was a psychopath who's actions are completely incompatible with Christianity or the values of a vast majority of atheists/agnostics.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

People are ignorant and it fits a narrative.

This.  Glad to see a liberal on here who acknowledges that Tim McVeigh was not a Christian.  Liberals cite him as an example of Christian violence or right-wing violence because it fits their narrative that Christians and conservatives are violent.  Of course, he was a self-described agnostic who got thrown out of the Michigan Militia for claiming that "science is my religion," but that doesn't matter to a lot of liberal pundits because those beliefs are more befitting to a left-winger than a right-winger.

[bedstuy]

Who is calling him a Christian terrorist?  And what's the context?  It's easy to pick apart this hypothetical stupid statement, but is this just something at you assert, "some people say?" 

McVeigh certainly wasn't motivated by Christianity so he wasn't a Christian terrorist like Bin Laden was a Muslim terrorist.  But, he was nominally Christian based on his family background and statements.  So, maybe you could call him a Christian terrorist, as in a terrorist who happens to be Christian.  That's misleading but perhaps that's what people mean.

[afleitch]

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

Don't forget the Norwegian guy.  He was a wacko. 

[DC Al Fine]

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

Don't forget the Norwegian guy.  He was a wacko. 

You mean the one who called religion a "crutch" in his manifesto? Definitely one of those fundies we must watch out for

[politicus]

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

Don't forget the Norwegian guy. He was a wacko.  

You mean the one who called religion a "crutch" in his manifesto? Definitely one of those fundies we must watch out for

Its a bit complex, but he mainly used Christianity as a part of his nationalist package and described himself as a cultural christian.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/26/anders-breivik-christian-terrorist_n_910379.html

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

People are ignorant and it fits a narrative.

This.  Glad to see a liberal on here who acknowledges that Tim McVeigh was not a Christian.  Liberals cite him as an example of Christian violence or right-wing violence because it fits their narrative that Christians and conservatives are violent.  Of course, he was a self-described agnostic who got thrown out of the Michigan Militia for claiming that "science is my religion," but that doesn't matter to a lot of liberal pundits because those beliefs are more befitting to a left-winger than a right-winger.

Okay, I agree with Al's point here, but are you really trying to imply that Timothy McVeigh wasn't right-wing?

[DC Al Fine]

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

Don't forget the Norwegian guy.  He was a wacko. 

You mean the one who called religion a "crutch" in his manifesto? Definitely one of those fundies we must watch out for

Its a bit complex, but he mainly used Christianity as a part of his nationalist package and described himself as a cutural christian.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/26/anders-breivik-christian-terrorist_n_910379.html

I definitely agree with you politicus, but Breivik was used as an example of "Christian terrorism", so a rebuttal requires his refutation of religion. I realise that Breivik was complex case and he certainly referred Christianity to say Islam, but his views were not remotely close to orthodox Christianity.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

I'll mention the obvious that the KKK are Christian Terrorists. Mostly in the 3rd major incarnation (Civil Rights Era).

The WBC may qualify as terrorists too.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Who is calling him a Christian terrorist?  And what's the context?  It's easy to pick apart this hypothetical stupid statement, but is this just something at you assert, "some people say?" 

McVeigh certainly wasn't motivated by Christianity so he wasn't a Christian terrorist like Bin Laden was a Muslim terrorist.  But, he was nominally Christian based on his family background and statements.  So, maybe you could call him a Christian terrorist, as in a terrorist who happens to be Christian.  That's misleading but perhaps that's what people mean.

I've not really heard of him described as such. The only ones who come to mind are those who murder doctors at abortion clinics or the 1996 Atlanta bomber, Eric Rudolph.

I don't really have a clear, comprehensive line for your question.

If you wage jihad against American citizens, you shouldn't get a burial.

I don't have a stance on, say, Timothy McVeigh or Adam Lanza, or anyone else with regards to burials.

Didn't Timothy McVeigh kill Americans because of his religion? Or does Christianity not count?

And too many statements on DU to count. I usually rebut them, though a common response is basically the equivalent of putting their fingers in their ears and say "nah nah not listening!"

Also he was a not "a terrorist who happens to be Christian" because he was an agnostic, not a Christian.