I haven't read the book so I do not know if Toobin addresses the fact that like their hero, Rush Limbaugh, McVeigh and Nichols were adherents of the Christian Identity movement. It's not so difficult to see from History the level of fanaticism and blind belief in a cause that religion creates. So, it is not surprising to know that McVeigh possessed no remorse up to the very end because he knew his reward would be awarded in heaven.
I believe your comment, Claire, about the potential McVeigh had had he only channeled it toward something more positive to be an astute one and Toobin's response surprisingly naive especially from someone with his credentials. Toobin's claim that McVeigh was fundamentally a "bad person" and that he was "evil" indicates a lack of intellectual understanding in light of his own research and comments just prior to making his absolute judgement. The question of evil and whether or not some of us are intrinsically so has been tackled by the best philosophical minds since the beginning of time with no real answer in sight. I'll pass on the book.
I haven't read the book so I do not know if Toobin addresses the fact that like their hero, Rush Limbaugh, McVeigh and Nichols were adherents of the Christian Identity movement. It's not so difficult to see from History the level of fanaticism and blind belief in a cause that religion creates. So, it is not surprising to know that McVeigh possessed no remorse up to the very end because he knew his reward would be awarded in heaven.
I believe your comment, Claire, about the potential McVeigh had had he only channeled it toward something more positive to be an astute one and Toobin's response surprisingly naive especially from someone with his credentials. Toobin's claim that McVeigh was fundamentally a "bad person" and that he was "evil" indicates a lack of intellectual understanding in light of his own research and comments just prior to making his absolute judgement. The question of evil and whether or not some of us are intrinsically so has been tackled by the best philosophical minds since the beginning of time with no real answer in sight. I'll pass on the book.
Thanks Carolie--I *don't* think they were involved with the Christian Identity movement, although they were white nationalists and antisemites.