University of Craiova, Romania
| Abstract: | The Sovereign Citizen Movement is one formed by people who interpret the political, legal, and social reality through the prism of their own religious beliefs. The man was created freely by God, meaning “sovereign”. Consequently, individuals are free from the legal norms imposed by other people. This is a movement without an organizational structure, which is replaced by its system of beliefs and values held by leaders and clearly defined organizations. Gordon Kahl’s manifesto undoubtedly highlights the religious side of the sovereign citizen movement. The individual said in 1983 that the Kingdom of Christ was under siege by the forces of Satan who control the governments of the states, which is why people should no longer submit to them. Followers of the Sovereign Citizen Movement believe that their actions and attitudes are approved by God. They issued their own IDs, passports, and vehicle registration numbers, some with the phrase “Kingdom of God” emblazoned on them. Some of the “sovereign citizens” took their beliefs to extremes and became violent, killing those who opposed them. For this reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation labeled the most extreme among them as terrorists. |
| Keywords: | God; religion; sovereign citizens; attitude; behavior; terrorism; |
| Contact details of the authors: | E-mail: iuliandinulescu@gmail.com |
| Institutional affiliation of the authors: | Doctoral School of Orthodox Theology “Saint Nicodim”, University of Craiova |
| Institutions address: | “Al. I. Cuza” Road, 13, Craiova, 200585, phone:0251 419 900; www.ucv.ro |