This character is based off religious extremnists and draws upon certain religious imagy. The author of this article, a Christen himself, does not mean to offend anyone in any way.
The Purifier, AKA Matthew D efaeco, was a criminal who operated in Gotham City. He was the head of a self made cult that wanted to purge Gotham of all its filth. His idea of Gothams filth was in fact no one who didn't worship the "true god"-himself in his eyes. His cult disbanded when he shot in the face by Joker.