The Ideal Cosmic Warrior: Factors and Types in a Cosmic War

Abstract: This thesis seeks to introduce the reader to the idea of Cosmic War giving background on the formation of the concept, how it is currently perceived, and the difference from other seemingly similar ideas such as terrorism and holy war. Following this the most influential factors in the modern appearance of Cosmic War such as the rise of religion in the face of modernity and secularism are explored and resultantly the growth in fundamentalist and New Religious movements. From this understanding of Cosmic War the possibility of forming an ideal type of Cosmic Warrior is proposed. Three cases, The Branch Davidians, Aum Shinrikyo, and the Hutaree Militia are used to accentuate the given theories and reasons and ultimately to expose repeating traits that can be used to formulate a flexible ideal type of Cosmic Warrior.