Image via CrunchBaseThere is in fact considerable evidence that Breivik could rightly be characterized as a scientism fundamentalist with strong social darwinism beliefs. John G. West lays out the argument here.
Science also trumps religion according to Breivik: "As for the Church and science, it is essential that science takes an undisputed precedence over biblical teachings." (p. 1403)
Breivik lists Darwin's Origin of Species as one of the "important" books he has read (p. 1407), and Social Darwinism is never far from the surface in his discussions of social policy. At one point he laments that "Social-darwinism was the norm before the 1950. Back then, it was allowed to say what we feel. Now, however, we have to disguise our preferences to avoid the horrible consequences of being labeled as a genetical preferentialist." (p. 1227) Breivik's vision for "a perfect Europe" also involves Social Darwinism, which he identifies with "logic" and "rationalist thought": "'Logic' and rationalist thought (a certain degree of national Darwinism) should be the fundament of our societies." (emphasis added, p. 1386)In other words, Anders Breivik's beliefs more closely resemble those of functioning darwinian atheists than practicing Christians, who (as with abortion today), alone opposed social darwinism when it first reared its ugly head.
But don't expect a clarification or retraction from the New York Times any time soon. Their out-of-the-box declaration that the Oslo murderer was a fundamentalist right-wing Christian served its purpose of promoting anti-Christian bigotry in western society -- a bigotry blogging atheists were, and are, happy to indulge in.
