Abstract This paper takes a look at the events leading up to the standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians and the ensuing confrontation. The paper also describes the crimes the Branch Davidian's were suspected of committing that gave the FBI the authority to go after the Branch Davidians, the aftermath of the confrontation and the criticisms leveled at the FBI for the way they handled the entire episode.
Introduction
The Immediate History
The Crime
The Confrontation
Aftermath
Excesses
From the Paper "On April 19th, 1993, the standoff between the FBI and associated agencies and the Branch Davidians, in their compound and led by their religious head David Koresh, cam to end when the wooden compound containing the Branch Davidians burned to the ground in a spectacular fire. 72 men, women and children died in the confrontation that had started the previous February 28th (Barrie-Anthony, 2002). Since then, a continuing debate considers whether the government, especially as represented by the FBI and AFT (the Department of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco) used excessive force: whether the situation could have possibly ended without such tremendous loss of life, which included over 20 children (Stone, 1993). The subject is a difficult one to sort out because the events are so recent and so emotional that it is hard to find reports of the incident that have been presented in an unbiased way (Ramsland, 2005)."
Abstract This paper briefly describes the 1993 raid carried out by the FBI on the Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas and then discusses the legal suit brought against the U.S. government by family and friends of the Branch Davidian members as a result of the raid. The paper explains that the suit filed against the FBI accused them of acting recklessly and thereby endangering the lives of the people on the Davidian complex. The paper describes the legal issues brought up in the trial, developments in the trial and the final decision that cleared the FBI agents.
From the Paper "In 1994, more than 200 family and friends of the men and women killed in the 1993 fire filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government in the order of $100 million dollars. The plaintiffs claimed that the fires which killed the cult followers were the result of the careless and unprofessional actions of federal agents. The plaintiffs also claimed that when FBI and other agents fired pyrotechnic tear gas into the building, several of the canisters ignited, sparking the fires that killed everyone inside, and that the FBI later blocked fire trucks from the scene. Lawyers who represented various families of the dead alleged that the FBI conduct showed a "reckless disregard for life.""
Abstract This paper looks at three major North American cults and how they were founded, led and maintained. Their beliefs, leaders, members, roots and practises are outlined. The three cults are the Branch Davidians, Peoples Temple and the Solar Temple.
Outline
Introduction
I. The Branch Davidians A. History
1. Victor Houteff.
2. Florence Houteff
3. Before Howell
B. David Koresh
1. David Koresh (Vernon Howell)
2. Koresh's Beliefs
C. The Branch Davidian Religion
1. Beliefs
2. Practises
3. The End
II. The People's Temple
A. Jim Jones and his Dream
1. Jim Jones
2. The People's Temple
B. The People's Temple as a Religion
1. Theories and Beliefs
2. Practises
C. Negative Aspects
1. Manipulation
2. Jonestown
III. The Order of the Solar Temple
A. The Founders
1.Joseph DiMambro
2.Luc Jouret
B. Religious Structure and History
C. The Solar Temple as a Religion
1. The 7 Rules
2. Beliefs
3. The Solar Temple's Demise
Conclusion
Appendix A. Additional Pictures
Appendix B Interview with Prof. Rabinovitch
Bibliography
From the Paper "In the beginning, the People's Temple was based on Christian values and beliefs, over time Jones theories were what the People's Temple were based upon. The Bible was used less frequently, while Jones had several theories, which could be dismissed as insane. Jones believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Buddha, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Jones also theorised that fascists were going to take over America. He believed that the People's Temple would be singled out, because vandals and racists harassed the Church while it was based in Indianapolis. (The Devil's Party, 67) In addition, Jones proposed Revolutionary suicide, which means his followers would die in the name of himself."
Abstract This paper focuses on three religious groups which are extreme to the point of being considered cults, namely, Heaven's Gate, The Family and the Davidians. The paper discuses how, through an effective combination of lifestyles, worldviews and human gullibility, these initially harmless religious groups are changed into fanatical cults. The paper highlights the realities of these cults and the control, which at times is abusive and even illegal and immoral, they are able to exert over their followers.
Outline:
Cults
Davidians The Family
Heaven's Gate
From the Paper "Within the United States there are a number of religious groups which are extreme to the point of being considered cults. Amongst these are Heaven's Gate, The Family, and the Davidians. Cults such as the Branch Davidians and Heaven's Gate have traditionally been perceived as the creation of a deviant and egotistical individual. Through the use of brainwashing and reprogramming techniques, this individual is able to fashion a mindless collective of individuals willing to follow him or her even to the point of death. While the leader is an essential aspect in such organizations, there are others necessities. These cults are essentially a product of the normal human fascination with the end of time, which is shifted into extreme apocalyptic groupings and tendencies by the teachings and actions of the leader. Through an effective combination of lifestyles, worldviews, and human gullibility, these initially harmless religious groups are thus changed into fanatical cults. (Von Hoey 2) These teachings are rather universal across the religions, in that the end is near, and something must be done."
Abstract This paper explains that arguments used to define cults can actually be used to define religions as well; but most of these definitions, unfortunately, have come from rumors and the negative portrayals of these cults through the media. The author relates that, because the word 'cult' deviates from the similarities between the two, a common phrase to describe cults used by scholars and theologians of religion is 'new religious movements'. The paper relates that, much like the Branch Davidian community of the 1990s, major contemporary religions, such a Catholicism and Mormonism, went through similar hardships of persecution within America based on stereotypes and rumors.
From the Paper "The meaning of the word cult itself has changed over time. Once believed to be a form of worship or ritualistic and systemic religious belief, today many perceive cults as associated with groups such as Heavens Gate, Jonestown, and Branch Davidians. People tend to believe that cults in general have many connotations associated with them whether it is "from the images of slaughtered men, women and children at Jonestown, to the impression of a movie with a small but devoted following" ("New Religious"?). But these connotations, be it good or bad have mislead the public to their understanding of what a cult actually is. Because both religions and cults have a basis of worship, the only difference is that of the size of the group, how the public sees the group, and of how orthodox or compatible it is with societal standards."
Abstract This paper discusses the tragedy at Waco. It describes the Branch Davidians which were a group that broke away from the Seventh Day Adventist Church and who were faithful to David Koresh. The paper discusses the sequence of events that led up to the tragedy and the ways in which survivors stories differ about details of what happened and who was responsible.
From the Paper "The web site of a Canadian group that works towards religious tolerance states that the Branch Davidians were a group that broke away from the Seventh Day Adventist Church and formed their own religious community in 1919. They believed that Christ would soon return and the end of the world (the "Downfall of Babylon") would occur. The "Kingdom of David" would then be established. In 1984, after a succession of leaders, Vernon Howell joined the group and married a prominent member's daughter. In 1987 he took control of the group. The membership did not generally call themselves Branch Davidians, but the name was commonly used in the media and so became popular. Vernon Howell changed his name in 1992 to David (after King David of the Israelites) Koresh (after the Babylonian King Cyrus) and renamed the Mt. Carmel Center where they lived the "Ranch Apocalypse." He believed the final battle of Armageddon, predicted in the Bible, would start at the Branch Davidian compound (Branch Davidians, 2005)."
Examines growth of radical groups & individuals, terrorism, political philosophies, govt. responses, examples (Unabomber, Freemen, Branch Davidians, Oklahoma City bombing).
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 11 sources, 1996, $ 63.95
From the Paper "Americans in the 1990s witnessed the advent of political terrorism on U.S. shores. Previously, terrorist bombings had been confined to foreign soil. What makes the recent American terrorism so insidious is that it was perpetrated by a diverse set of extremists--ranging from suspected Unabomber Ted Kaczynski to Oklahoma City bombing suspect Timothy McVeigh to the Islamic militants convicted in the World Trade Center bombing. A common thread in this wave of domestic terrorism is contempt for the U.S. government.
Montana has emerged as a hotbed of extremist ideology. The state is home to Ted Kaczynski, the Freemen, and the Militia of Montana, known as the "Mother of all militias." But Montana's dubious distinction as the "Paraguay of the United States" reflects the woes that a handful of other Western states are..."
Abstract The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight ("the Committee") was created for the specific purpose of analyzing and evaluating the application and administration of federal laws. To fulfill its purpose, the Committee is authorized to investigate incidents in which the acts of federal agencies may indicate the violation of or need for federal legislation. The 1995 investigation of the Waco incident by the Committee was actually the second investigation of what happened in Texas. This investigation followed the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 persons.
From the Paper "Congressional Oversight in the Waco Incident
The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight ("the Committee") was created for the specific purpose of analyzing and evaluating the application and administration of federal laws. To fulfill its purpose, the Committee is authorized to investigate incidents in which the acts of federal agencies may indicate the violation of or need for federal legislation. The 1995 investigation of the Waco incident by the Committee was actually the second investigation of what happened in Texas. This investigation followed the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 persons.
The federal government's investigation of the bombing of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City focused the public's attention ..."
