The Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019 shattered New Zealander’s false sense of security as an isolated safe-haven, somehow immune to the global rise of terrorism, inviting questions of how such radicalisation occurs, and how it might be prevented. While often associated with an ‘other’, in the USA ‘violent terrorist activities resulting in fatalities are [more] likely [to be] committed by extreme right wing Christian groups … than any other group’ (Sam-Kpakra, 2016).
In February 2022, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand saw an extended protest against Government vaccine mandates. Protestors camped on the Parliament Grounds in Wellington for over three weeks, with the dispute ending in a violent confrontation between protestors and police reminiscent of the US Capitol Attack a year earlier. The demonstration involved a high proportion of Christians and was promoted and supported by a number of church leaders. With the rise of Christian-based extremism in the US, the undercurrent of violent ideology stirring in New Zealand churches warranted investigation.
This paper investigates the underlying theological and cultural factors that might lead to and mitigate against potential radicalisation within the Christian Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, I have analysed data from two of our country’s most outspoken Christian leaders: Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church, and Peter Mortlock of City Impact Church. The data was gathered immediately before and during the 22 day Parliament Grounds occupation in 2022. Five themes were identified from their sermons and social media. Firstly the underpinning theme of ‘unexamined hubris’ - an unwavering sense of the speakers’ correct stance on all they communicate. ‘Blame of “the other”’ involved the continued shift of responsibility for current circumstances onto particular groups or individuals, including the government, media, secular society or spiritual powers. ‘Conflation of truth and opinion’ was a key theme and therefore divided into two subthemes: ‘Misapplication of Scripture’ and the ‘Promulgation of misinformation/conspiracism.’ The final theme was ‘a call to bold action,’ where calls to spiritual warfare were blended with those to undefined action.
These themes are discussed using a multidimensional framework developed by Wibisono et al (2019). This model examines four dimensions of religious extremism: theological, ritual, social and political. Within this discussion I look at some of the dangerous theology Tamaki and Mortlock use, including violent imagery and distorted end-times theology. I also address their prophetic populist style and the inherent dangers of this. Conspiracy theorism and its multiplying effect is discussed, as are issues such as the Overton Window, Accelerationism and Stochastic Terrorism. I also use Berger’s in-group/out-group definitions of extremism and radicalisation to question whether Tamaki and Mortlock’s rhetoric can be considered extremist or potentially radicalising (Berger, 2018).
Finally, I look at countermeasures that church leaders must begin utilising to help mitigate radicalisation in their communities. The violence present in Scripture must be addressed appropriately, apocalyptic passages handled carefully and us vs. them rhetoric avoided. Ministers must know their congregational demographic and recognise risk factors for radicalisation that may be present. Interfaith dialogue and action as well as creating points of social connection are also vital for the church. Church leaders themselves must avoid prophetic populism by embracing adequate supervision and oversight. They must also develop Intellectual Humility and actively oppose the propagation of conspiracy theories. If these measures can be embraced by churches and church leaders, the risk of inadvertent radicalisation of Christians can be greatly reduced.
Berger, J. M. (2018). Extremism. MIT Press. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/otago/detail.action?docID=5489324
Sam-Kpakra, O. K. (2016). Enemies within: Christian extremism, a threat to the homeland.
Wibisono, S., Louis, W. R., & Jetten, J. (2019). A multidimensional analysis of religious extremism. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2560.
The Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019 shocked New Zealand out of its sense of safe isolation. While New Zealand Christians would rightly distance themselves from this act of terrorism, the 2022 Parliament Grounds occupation in response to Government Covid-19 vaccine mandates was strongly supported by many Christian leaders. This dispute ended with a violent confrontation between protestors and police. Is there a rise in radicalisation towards extremist activity happening in New Zealand? This research uses Reflexive Thematic Analysis to investigate the rhetoric of Brian Tamaki and Peter Mortlock, two of the most vocal church leaders against the New Zealand Government over this time. The themes are discussed using a multidimensional model examining their theological, ritual, social and political aspects. Issues including conspiracy theorism, the Overton Window, Accelerationism and Stochastic Terrorism are discussed. Recommendations for Christian leaders to mitigate against potential radicalisation are presented.