David Brannan PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

what is already a reality between the various Identity groups would give further incentive for
continuing in a non-violent manner.
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A likely roadblock to an attempt utilizing the described methods at reducing violence and
distinguishing between types would likely come from the watch-dog groups. These groups stand
to collect more money from supporters by presenting each of the four varied types of Identity as
a monolithic movement, ready and likely to attack at any moment.
The distinctions between these varied groups are real. They are documented through their
writings as well as interviews with both leaders and adherents with the various groups. The
groups themselves would like to known for their particular understanding of the biblical text and
how that impacts their social actions, rather than being lumped imprecisely under the pejorative
“terrorist” or “extremist” labels. Despite the fact that these groups do differ significantly and
their actions vary widely—the received view and comfortable stereotype will likely make it very
difficult to change the categories in which these groups currently find themselves.
Beginnings rather than conclusions
What then is to be made of this argument against imprecise labeling and pejorative
stereotyping of Identity adherents? Several issues come immediately to the forefront. First, the
‘terrorism studies’ community—that community which has been primarily responsible for
research on Identity theology has been inaccurate—likely in part because of the distance from
which they view their research subjects. The failure of many previous researchers to interact with
the actual subject of their research and primary sources, rather than secondary sources, which
have often been based on particular biases, has contributed to the existing inaccuracies related to
Identity theology. Social Identity Theory as used in this dissertation is but one of potentially
many frameworks that might be used to more accurately uncover truth as it relates to the people,