The Religious Affiliation of the Columbine Shooters

The Columbine High School shooting in 1999 remains one of the most tragic and infamous events in American history. The question of whether Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were religious has always been a topic of intrigue and controversy.

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's Backgrounds

Eric Harris, the primary Columbine shooter, was not religious in the traditional sense. He was an atheist who described himself as 'god' in his diaries, often jokingly assuming the role of a deity. This is evident in excerpts from his writings, where he mocked religious beliefs and questioned the existence of a higher power.

Dylan Klebold, on the other hand, grew up in a Jewish household. However, it is important to note that he did not consider himself Jewish. Reports indicate that he did not actively participate in religious practices and showed little interest in religious matters.

Attitudes Towards Religion

Both shooters had strong negative views towards organized religion and religious institutions. While Eric Harris was more vocal in his disbelief and mockery of Christianity, Dylan showed a more passive, if not outright antagonistic, attitude. According to their diaries, they believed that religion and love were merely figments of the human imagination, caused by chemical reactions and evolution. They consistently dismissed the idea that these concepts were real or meaningful.

Targets and Intentions of the Attack

It is crucial to understand that the Columbine shooting was not primarily a religiously motivated attack. The victims spanned across various ethnic and religious backgrounds, and there is no solid evidence to suggest that their targets were specifically chosen based on religious affiliations. In fact, the shooters' professed beliefs indicate a nihilistic and nihilating perspective, rather than any specific religious motivation.

The shooters' detailed and premeditated plan, including the use of torture and the vivid descriptions of their attacks, suggests that their motivations were more deeply rooted in personal grievances, a sense of superiority, and a desire for infamy. These factors are more aligned with their documented beliefs and behaviors than any religious doctrine or code.

Controversial Responses and Survivor Stories

Some commentators and conspiracy theorists argue that the Columbine shooting was somehow a demonstration of the dangers of atheism, linking the shooters' lack of belief to their willingness to commit such violent acts. However, survivor testimonies and the shooters' own writings tell a different story. The survivors described the shooter's motivations as grounded in hatred and a twisted mindset rooted in narcissism and rage.

It is also important to recognize that the rise in atheism among young people can be attributed to a broader cultural shift rather than any singular event. The economy, like many global markets, is influenced by various factors beyond the beliefs of a small group. While it is a valid point to consider the moral and ethical climate, it is not accurate to blame the shooters' actions on broader societal trends such as atheism.

Conclusion

The Columbine shooters were, for the most part, not religious. Eric Harris' self-proclaimed statement as a god and their collective disdain for organized religion leave no doubt that they were not driven by religious motivations. The attack was more a manifestation of their personal grievances and a desire for infamy, rather than a religiously motivated act.