Cults and New Religious Movements Cults and New Religious Movements Case Study #2: Branch Davidians

History of the Branch Davidians Victor Houteff, founder, 1935 Victor Houteff, founder, 1935 Florence Houteff, 1955 Florence Houteff, 1955 Ben Roden, 1962 Ben Roden, 1962 Lois Roden, 1978 Lois Roden, 1978 Vernon Howell, 1988 Vernon Howell, 1988

History of the Branch Davidians Founded by Victor Houteff in 1935 Founded by Victor Houteff in 1935  Began as a sect which broke off from the Seventh Adventist (p. 86) Leadership passed to his widow Florence after Houteff died in 1955 Leadership passed to his widow Florence after Houteff died in 1955  She moved the Davidians to their site at Mt. Carmel  She claimed that God would return on Easter 1959  Didn’t happen resulting in the “Great Disappointment” Many left as a resultMany left as a result Power struggle ensued between Florence and Ben Roden Power struggle ensued between Florence and Ben Roden

Roden ruled until his death in 1978 when his widow, Lois took over Roden ruled until his death in 1978 when his widow, Lois took over  Howell came in at this point  Lois’ power was waning and her son, George, felt that he should rule George and Howell competed for power George and Howell competed for power

The Biography of David Koresh Born on August 17, 1959 Born on August 17, 1959 Real name: Vernon Wayne Howell Real name: Vernon Wayne Howell Mother was 15 Mother was 15  She didn’t marry his father Was beaten by his stepfather when he was 2 Was beaten by his stepfather when he was 2  This led to his mother divorcing his stepfather

Had a learning disability which contributed to his poor school performance Had a learning disability which contributed to his poor school performance  Was placed in a special ed class when he was in the 3 rd grade  Was ridiculed by his classmates  Dropped out in the 11 th grade Was a musician Was a musician Was very religious Was very religious  Grew up in the Seventh- day Adventist Church

In 1977 he fell in love with a 16 year old girl when he was 18 In 1977 he fell in love with a 16 year old girl when he was 18  Father ran him off  He joined the Branch Davidians in 1981 Married his first wife, Rachel (14) in 1984 Married his first wife, Rachel (14) in 1984 Visited Israel in 1985 and returned a confident teacher Visited Israel in 1985 and returned a confident teacher George drove Howell and others out in 1985 George drove Howell and others out in 1985 Returned in 1988 Returned in 1988 Changed his name in 1990 Changed his name in 1990

Beliefs of the Group Ultimate concern: “Obey God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, in order to be included in the millennial kingdom” (p. 56) Ultimate concern: “Obey God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, in order to be included in the millennial kingdom” (p. 56) Ultimate authority: King James Bible Ultimate authority: King James Bible Koresh as prophet Koresh as prophet Koresh as messiah Koresh as messiah  Felt he would die in the Armageddon, be resurrected, and then conquer evil to establish God’s kingdom (p. 84)

“Sacred Marriages” (p. 83) “Sacred Marriages” (p. 83) “New Light” Teaching (p. 84) “New Light” Teaching (p. 84) Davidians as the “first fruits” or “Wave Sheaf” (p. 85) Davidians as the “first fruits” or “Wave Sheaf” (p. 85) Dualism: Babylon vs. Davidians Dualism: Babylon vs. Davidians

The Davidians About 130 people at Mt. Carmel About 130 people at Mt. Carmel  42 men; 46 women; 43 children Many were ex-Adventists Many were ex-Adventists Over 50% were minorities Over 50% were minorities 1/3 from Great Britain 1/3 from Great Britain  Some from other countries as well

The Persecution Viewed themselves as the target of a number of attacks Viewed themselves as the target of a number of attacks  FBI surveillance before the siege  Coalition of “active opponents (p. 95)  Marc Breault & other ex-members Warnings of possible child sacrifice, child abuse, mass suicide, etc.Warnings of possible child sacrifice, child abuse, mass suicide, etc.  Texas Department of Human Services  Cultural opposition  Media, Rick Ross, etc. ATF investigation of weapons ATF investigation of weapons

The Siege FBI prevented the Davidians from communicating with the public FBI prevented the Davidians from communicating with the public  Thus, media and others saw them as a dangerous “cult” ATF raid was viewed as the beginning of Armageddon ATF raid was viewed as the beginning of Armageddon FBI and ATF ignored religious scholars’ warnings that their harassment would only intensify the resolve of the Davidians FBI and ATF ignored religious scholars’ warnings that their harassment would only intensify the resolve of the Davidians

Religious Violence and the Ultimate Concern A raid was conducted by 76 ATF agents on Sunday, February 28, 1993, 9:45 A.M. A raid was conducted by 76 ATF agents on Sunday, February 28, 1993, 9:45 A.M.  4 agents were killed and 20 wounded while 5 Davidians were killed and 4 wounded including Koresh  At 4:55 P.M. 1 more Davidian was killed while attempting to return to the compound after work

FBI took control of the siege on February 29 th FBI took control of the siege on February 29 th  Used psychological techniques  Siege lasted 51 days, 14 adults and 21 children left the compound during this time Around 6:00 A.M. Monday, April 19 th : FBI Agents in tanks sprayed Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS) gas into the building, punched holes into the compound and destroyed parts of the building Around 6:00 A.M. Monday, April 19 th : FBI Agents in tanks sprayed Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS) gas into the building, punched holes into the compound and destroyed parts of the building

 Gunfire was exchanged by agents and Davidians By 12:00 P.M. the compound had caught fire By 12:00 P.M. the compound had caught fire  9 Davidians escaped; 23 children and 51 adults (74 total) died including Koresh

Physical Violence Physical Violence  79 Davidians were killed Psychological & Symbolic Violence Psychological & Symbolic Violence  Intimidation, threats, and psychological warfare were used by Government  Govt. lied to the media and American public by misrepresenting the Davidians and their beliefs and practices Violence Against the Davidians

Constitutional Violence Constitutional Violence  First amendment right to freedom of religion was violated  ATF violated the Davidians’ constitutional right to possess legal firearms Judicial Violence Judicial Violence  Judge Walter Smith Jr. overturned lenient verdicts of the jury and gave surviving Davidians lengthy sentences  Department of Justice failed to file charges and try federal agents responsible for Davidian deaths Violence Against the Davidians

The ultimate concern (Wessinger) for the group was to “Obey God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, in order to be included in the millennial kingdom” The ultimate concern (Wessinger) for the group was to “Obey God’s will, as revealed in the Bible, in order to be included in the millennial kingdom”  The events during the siege and final assault affirmed that God was carrying out the salvation plan to achieve the ultimate concern  Davidians fought back only when they felt that they had no other choice (they were assaulted)