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ENEMIES WITHIN: CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM,A THREAT TO THE HOMELANDA thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. ArmyCommand and General Staff College in partialfulfillment of the requirements for thedegreeMASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCEHomeland Security StudiesbyODESSA KATUMU SAM-KPAKRA, MAJOR, ARMY NATIONAL GUARDB.A., University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 1998MBA, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland, 2014Fort Leavenworth, Kansas2016Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Fair use determination or copyrightpermission has been obtained for the inclusion of pictures, maps, graphics, and any otherworks incorporated into this manuscript. A work of the United States Government is notsubject to copyright, however further publication or sale of copyrighted images is notpermissible.
Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEPublic reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing datasources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or anyother aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate forInformation Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware thatnotwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently validOMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)10-06-20162. REPORT TYPE3. DATES COVERED (From - To)Master’s ThesisAUG 2015 – JUN 20164. TITLE AND SUBTITLE5a. CONTRACT NUMBEREnemies within: Christian Extremism, A Threat to the Homeland5b. GRANT NUMBER5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER6. AUTHOR(S)5d. PROJECT NUMBEROdessa K. Sam-Kpakra, Major5e. TASK NUMBER5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)8. PERFORMING ORG REPORTNUMBERU.S. Army Command and General Staff CollegeATTN: ATZL-SWD-GDFort Leavenworth, KS 66027-23019. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’SACRONYM(S)11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORTNUMBER(S)12. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES14. ABSTRACTAs technology evolves, so has the ability to reach many through various platforms,subsequently strengthening globalization. These informational platforms constantly providenews to the world, which promotes fear of Muslim radical groups that perpetuate violence inthe name of religion, while ignoring the threat Christian extremism poses on American soil. AsAmerica’s focus and attention shifts to denying violent religious groups access into thehomeland, it has taken its eyes away from those within the homeland that threaten the veryliberty and freedom intended by the founding fathers for all Americans. This thesis and manymore studies like it, is vitally needed, to explore the themes and messages of these growingChristian extremist groups, neutralize their growth, and ensure the safety and freedom ofAmericans are protected.15. SUBJECT TERMSChristian Extremism16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF:a. REPORTb. ABSTRACTc. THIS PAGE(U)(U)(U)17. LIMITATIONOF ABSTRACT18. NUMBEROF PAGES(U)7019a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON19b. PHONE NUMBER (include area code)Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98)Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18ii
MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCETHESIS APPROVAL PAGEName of Candidate: Major Odessa K. Sam-KpakraThesis Title: Enemies within: Christian Extremism, A Threat to the HomelandApproved by:, Thesis Committee ChairMark A. McManigal, M.S., MemberO. Shawn Cupp, Ph.D., MemberScott Porter, M.Ed, MemberEdward Jennings, M.S.Accepted this 10th day of June 2016 by:, Director, Graduate Degree ProgramsRobert F. Baumann, Ph.D.The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do notnecessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College orany other governmental agency. (References to this study should include the foregoingstatement.)iii
ABSTRACTENEMIES WITHIN: CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM, A THREAT TO THE HOMELAND,by Major Odessa K Sam-Kpakra, 70 pages.As technology evolves, so has the ability to reach many through various platforms,subsequently strengthening globalization. These informational platforms constantlyprovide news to the world, which promotes fear of Muslim radical groups that perpetuateviolence in the name of religion, while ignoring the threat Christian extremism poses onAmerican soil. As America’s focus and attention shifts to denying violent religiousgroups access into the homeland, it has taken its eyes away from those within thehomeland that threaten the very liberty and freedom intended by the founding fathers forall Americans. This thesis and many more studies like it, is vitally needed, to explore thethemes and messages of these growing Christian extremist groups, neutralize theirgrowth, and ensure the safety and freedom of Americans are protected.iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI would like to first thank my daughter Saadya, for her patience and support. Hername means “God’s helper” in Hebrew, and as she made this journey to Ft. Leavenworthwith me, she exuded the essence of her name, serving as my cheerleader and helper.Many thanks to my mother Naomi, who made sure Saadya was well cared for, as shetended to matters of our household, while serving as Editor-in-Chief for my thesis. Iwould also like to thank my husband Joseph, son JoeJoe, and eldest daughter Nyanda fortheir unwavering love and support. It is for my children and generations to follow that Ichose this topic, in hopes that recommendations, thoughts and ideas expressed in thisthesis, would ensure a safe and secure America for generations to come. I pray they findtheir voices, stand firm and continue the fight against all acts of terrorism, and furtherhope they are able to freely enjoy the freedoms, rights and liberty assured to them in theconstitution of our country, without any fear of terroristic acts.Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my committee: Mr. MarkMcManigal, Dr. Cupp, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Jennings for their dedicated commitment tothe development of this thesis. Your cumulative experience, knowledge and mentorshipproved vital and extremely beneficial to me, as I juggled the requirement of theCommand and General Staff College curriculum and an MMAS. I am beyond gratefuland privileged to have developed this thesis under the tutelage of such wise leaders andthank you sincerely for a product that will serve as a changing narrative on terror withinthe homeland.v
TABLE OF CONTENTSPageMASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE THESIS APPROVAL PAGE . iiiABSTRACT. ivACKNOWLEDGMENTS .vTABLE OF CONTENTS . viACRONYMS . viiiILLUSTRATIONS . ixCHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .1Introduction . 1Primary Research Question . 2Secondary Research Questions . 2Background . 3Assumptions. 7Definitions . 8Scope and Delimitations . 11Limitations . 11Significance . 12Conclusion . 12CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .14Arie Perliger-Challengers from the Sidelines . 14Michael Barkum-Religion and the Racist Right . 19Major Frederick D. Wong-“Christian Extremism as a Domestic Terror Threat” . 20CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .23Summary . 26CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS .27The Army of God . 28Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shooting. 37“Charleston Nine”–South Carolina Massacre. 42Summary . 46CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .49vi
Conclusions . 49Recommendations . 49Further Research . 56Summary . 57BIBLIOGRAPHY .58vii
ACRONYMSADLAnti-Defamation LeagueAOGArmy of GodCCCCouncil of Conservative CitizensCIMChristian Identity MovementFBIFederal Bureau of InvestigationKKKKu Klux KlanPATRIOTProvide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct TerrorismSPLCSouthern Poverty Law Centerviii
ILLUSTRATIONSPageFigure 1. Violent Domestic Attacks in 2015 .22Figure 2. Trends indicate an increase in the number of attacks with a noted spikein 2008 (a Presidential Election Year) .42Figure 3. Factors that Drive these Extremist Groups .47ix
CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTIONThe stronger the group’s agenda is framed in religious and totalistic ideas,the more it will be willing or determined to use exceptionally lethal tactics. Thegrowing literature on the new terrorism is particularly supportive of the notionthat the last three decades have witnessed not just the rise of religious terrorism,but of more spectacular tactics which aim to maximize the number of casualties.― Arie Perliger, Challengers from the Sidelines,Understanding Americas Violent Far RightIntroductionAs a result of September 11, 2011, an incident where almost 3,000 American livesperished on American soil, the Department of Homeland Security was born and acommitment to never allow violence of that magnitude to occur on American soil began. 1Soon, discussions among many intelligence agencies on what intelligence failuresoccurred that could have thwarted the plan to cause destruction of many lives andproperties ensued. The disjointed collaboration among intelligence agencies like theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency becameapparent. They just lacked the ability to work together in the detection, consolidation andanalyzing of threats within the homeland. 2 In efforts to combat terrorism, manysurreptitious programs were born to collect intelligence and significantly deter the act ofterrorism. By using language to frame efforts of combating terrorism as the “war on1Homeland Security, “Creation of the Department of Homeland Security,”accessed January 5, 2016, http://www.dhs.gov/creation-department.2The 9/11 Commission, The 9/11 Commission Report, accessed January 5, Report.pdf.1
terror” President George W. Bush, garnered public support and secured financing fromcongress. The Provide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism(PATRIOT) Act was signed into law on October 26, 2001, in an effort to unite andstrengthen America. The Act had three components to it: (1) roving wiretaps, (2)searching business records and (3) conducting surveillance of lone wolves. Portions ofthe Act rebuked racial violence and vilification and reminded Americans, “We must seekthe guilty and not strike out again
ENEMIES WITHIN: CHRISTIAN EXTREMISM, A THREAT TO THE HOMELAND, by Major Odessa K Sam-Kpakra, 70 pages. As technology evolves, so has the ability to reach many through various platforms, subsequently strengthening globalization. These informational platforms constantly provide news to the world, which promotes fear of Muslim radical groups that perpetuate violence in the name
