An Anti-Defamation League (ADL) analysis of the messages written by Arizona shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner revealed Wednesday that the he may not have been motivated by anti-Semitism when shooting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, but rather by a profound mistrust of government.
"The messages reveal a person with a generic distrust of the government and a vague interest in conspiracy theories," the ADL published in the organization's website. "Using the screen name 'Erad3,' Loughner, 22, returned repeatedly to certain topics, including grammar, literacy and 'logic,' his distrust of the government and dislike of religion."
The ADL analyzed his writings which appeared on the conspiracy-oriented Web site "Above Top Secret," a forum dealing with conspiracy theories, which includes anti-government extremists in its membership.
"While there is still much we don't know about Loughner, his online footprint offers one window into his mindset in the months leading up to the killings," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "The writings that have come to light so far suggest someone who probably was not associated with any extremist group or movement, but who has a generic distrust of government and a vague interest in conspiracy theories."
Loughner did, however, express dislike of all religion, and stated on a YouTube video that he had refused to write a religious preference on an Army recruiting form, and proclaimed, "No! I don't trust in God," and repeatedly mocked Christianity and those who believe in it, the ADL published.