Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 30 October 2023

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. 

Ambitious Black Metal Band Visits U.S. To Burn Down Megachurch

Self-starter Norwegian black metal band (name omitted) flew to America with the goal of setting fire to a Megachurch, sources confirmed. “We’ve been burning down local modestly sized houses of worship for years, but we believe we’re talented and experienced enough to take things to the international stage,” said lead singer Jurgen Trenton. “To express extreme power, reawaken Odin, and return the world to a Pagan state, we must target the largest Christian edifice—the Lakeland Church in Houston, Texas, America.’ 

Analyst Comments:

Threats like the above have been carried to completion in the past.

In 2020, Insider reported that a 22 year-old man admitted to setting fire to three historically black churches in Louisiana in 2019. According to prosecutors, he set fire to the churches to raise his profile as a “black metal” musician, copying crimes committed in Norway in the 1990s.

CGTN reported in May of this year, that  Norway’s black metal music first gained notoriety with murders and church burnings – but it has now earned its spot in the halls of culture with a new exhibit at Oslo’s National Library.

In 1993, a black metal bassist stabbed another bands singer-guitarist to death. The following year, he was convicted of murder as well as several church arsons.

The arsons were copycatted by other black metal band members, which led to several centuries-old buildings in Norway being reduced to ash.

While active shooters garner vast media publicity, other threats to Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should be considered. A Fire as a Weapon attack can cause a large loss of life. The Guardian reported that in 2019, a man fire bombed a Japanese animation studio, killing 33 people.

The following resources are available to assist in defending against Fire as a Weapon attacks:

CISA’s Fire As A Weapon Action Guide

US Fire Admin webpage: Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson

CISA: Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence

Follow Up to 26 October DAP about Active Shooter

AP reported When a man began shooting in Maine, some froze while others ran. Now they’re left with questions. The article discusses people’s reactions to the active shooter, including those that followed the Run. Hide. Fight procedures.

Decision making by individuals during an active shooter incident can be very complicated but must be done immediately. Most of the deceased victims in Maine had no time to react at all, but in most active shooter incidents, there are many people that are able to escape. Reviewing the article above and the resources below will help members of faith communities be better prepared if should the need arise.

• Run. Hide. Fight. videos found in the FBI’s Active Shooter Safety Resources
• STOP THE BLEED
• FEMA’s You Are the Help Until Help Arrives
• CISA: Active Shooter Pocket Card