An atheistic white supremacist religion advocating racial separation and naturalistic pantheism.
Creativity, initially known as The Church of the Creator, is a religious movement rooted in white supremacist ideology, antitheism, and naturalistic and racialistic philosophies. Founded in 1973 in Lighthouse Point, Florida, USA, by Ben Klassen, Creativity has since gained a presence in the United States, Australia, Eastern Europe, and the UK. The movement is distinguished by its atheistic (“nontheistic”) stance, rejection of supernatural beliefs, and promotion of white separatism, scientific racism, and homophobia.
History and Development
Ben Klassen established Creativity in 1973 with the publication of “Nature’s Eternal Religion.” Klassen, a former state legislator in Florida, founded the religion to promote what he viewed as the “survival, expansion, and advancement” of the white race. The name “Creators” for its adherents is derived from Adolf Hitler’s classification of races in “Mein Kampf,” where the “white race” is termed as “creators.” Klassen’s ideology, though heavily influenced by Nazi philosophy, differed in certain aspects, like its atheism and emphasis on a pan-racial white identity over nationalistic principles.
After Klassen’s death, Creativity went through several organizational changes, leading to the formation of groups such as the Creativity Alliance and The Creativity Movement. These groups, while sharing common origins, diverged in their specific practices and leadership.
Beliefs and Tenets
Creativity is grounded in a belief system that combines racial and religious elements. Key beliefs include:
- Racial Separatism and Supremacy: The core belief of Creativity is the superiority and necessity of preserving the white race. This includes advocating for racial separation and viewing race as a fundamental aspect of religious identity.
- Naturalistic Worldview: Creativity adherents reject supernaturalism, embracing a form of metaphysical naturalism. They believe in the laws of nature as revealed through science, history, and logic, viewing nature as the highest authority.
- Antitheism and Rejection of Supernatural: The movement is strongly antitheistic, rejecting all forms of supernatural beliefs, including gods, spirits, and an afterlife. It promotes a naturalistic pantheist view, where the cosmos and its natural laws are paramount.
- Afterlife and the Supernatural: Creativity dismisses the concept of an afterlife, advocating instead for genetic “immortality” through reproduction and legacy. It teaches a rational and fearless approach to life and death.
- Racial Socialism: While Creativity is classified as a neo-Nazi ideology by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center, it differentiates itself by advocating “racial socialism,” a form of meritocracy and limited market economy aimed at benefiting the white race.
- Activism and Proselytism: The movement actively engages in spreading its beliefs, aiming to distribute its foundational texts to a broad audience. It subscribes to the white genocide conspiracy theory and promotes a “racial holy war” as a means of self-defense and preservation of the white race.
Controversies and Opposition
Creativity has been classified as a hate group by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. Its promotion of white supremacy, racial hatred, and its links to various violent incidents have led to widespread criticism and legal challenges.
Despite its advocacy for racial holy war, the Creativity Movement claims to oppose illegal activity and violence, viewing them as counterproductive. However, members of the group have been connected to multiple racially and religiously motivated crimes.
image via Southern Poverty Law Center
