KORESH AND THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY
I recently finished a book called Prophets of
the Apocalypse which dealt with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. What
was interesting about this book was how I was constantly comparing what happened
with David Koresh and his way he manipulated his group with my views of the
Watchtower Organization. Another part of a puzzle that was solved was how by
way of common geneology the Watchtower Organization and David Koresh have a
lot more in common than most would care to think. Both groups have the same
parent and that "parent" was William Miller. Unfortunately the Watchtower
in an attempt to distance itself from William Miller only mentions him in its
Proclaimers book only a scant 3 times.
I'm not going into a long post about David Koresh
himself but only where in this Prophets of the Apocalypse book where I was put
in a "Deja vu" with the JW's.
One interesting point that I found in the book
was how a man like David Koresh could go from a Biblical preacher, one who respected
the Bible and its words to one who would eventually violate most of the "moral"
viewpoints that the Bible expounded. How was that possible?
In some personal interviews Richard Abanes conducted
some very revealing conversations with those who were involved with David Koresh
and his group. Notice these interesting points.
Richard Abames asked David Bunds a former Davidian
"what made Koresh so popular?"
Bunds said,..he ( Koresh ) speaks with authority.
He talks like he really knows what he's talking about. He can quote the Bible
profusely. He will barrage you. He's probably ten times better than the most
elite Jehovah's Witness. P.205
Richard:
"How did did ( Koresh ) change from being
a Bible teaching musician intoidentifying himself as the son of God?"
Bunds:
It was gradual. Evolution. See that's the thing
about these groups. Againthey have this concept called "progressive truth".Truth
is always in flux,progressing, advancing. "New light" is coming.
Richard:
"Like the Jehovah's Witnesses when they
say the light is getting brighterand brighter"
Bund:
"Right. The light's getting brighter and
brighter. Changing. Even the Adventist, in a sense, have the concept of this.
They have more of an idea though that new truth will not contradict past truth.
Vernon, David Koresh...has the concept of new truth can supersede and replace
old truth.".......
Richard:
"When you would question him would he get
angry?"
Bunds:
"Oh sure, totally yeah, he would not tolerate
any disagreement with hisdoctrine at all"P.206
Richard:
"Okay let me ask you this: Did David Koresh
like the Jehovah's Witnesses, also instruct his followers not to talk to apostates,
or people who have left, or those who have been kicked out because they're evil
or of Satan?"
Bund:
"Yeah, especially apostates. Here's the
problem. The only way you can really understand Koresh's message is to have
been in the group. But the only time you'll want to fight against Koresh's message
is if you're out of the group. If you're out of the group your an apostate.
If your an apostate and you want to help people who are in the group and they
see you as an apostate, you can't help them....You're in a catch 22 there"
p.207
Notice this quote that was made by Bund taking
in mid sentence:
"I joined Adventism because I wanted more
light" You always got this "newlight" stuff, it's almost like
a drug. These people have to sit down and get this like all the time. They want
new, new, stuff so they can feel special. That's what motivates people to join
them" P.209
As I draw this post to a close I know those
who were JW's for a while could probably see things that were mentioned here
as to their feelings while being with the JW group. I could see how these members
of this group could allow themselves to be led to allow Koresh to marry teen
ages and get to the point of having ALL the woman in the group as his Solomon
like group of wives.
One way Koresh got his power was through something
that may sound very insignificant but as far as I'm concerned the foundation
that any cultlike group hooks it's members, what was that? By tithing!!
If cult groups didn't tithe the Wacos wouldn't
happen. By giving money to the group in this way is the first process in a line
of a person loosing his or her identity.( IMHO ) It also gives the leader or
organization POWER over what the member will eat, where they will live who they
will marry and a host of other controlled situations. Eliminate this and the
cult leader is at a serious disadvantage.
For Jehovah's Witnesses. You may NOT tithe but
you have a lot of money going to your group. If you put in the amount of time
or money you donate per month for your magazines and literature and travel expenses
for the ministry you will find that you have "tithed" yourself to
the Watchtower Organization just like the Branch Davidians had tithed themselves
to David Koresh.
Another point, By not being able to question
ANYTHING your group does puts you and those Branch Davidians in the same boat.
You saw what happened to those in that group. It would be wise for you to look
at your selves and see that you may be heading in the same direction as those
members in that group.
Final points:
These Branch Davidians looked to David Koresh
as their Messiah. He was their all knowing, all everything. They were COMPLETELY
devoted to him. Jehovah's Witnesses and similar groups look to the Watchtower
Organizationas the ALL KNOWING, ALL everything Great OZ. They could write in
an Awake article about rotating your tires and most in the group will take it
as GOSPEL. You know I'm right here, because I use to look at the Watchtower
Organization in that way. ( It didn't last )
These Branch Davidians had the same FEARS that
the Jehovah's Witnesses have with their Organization. To leave it will bring
DEATH to them. It has been drilled into their heads that that is what is in
store for those who leave the JW's. How does one LEAVE a group that thinks like
this?
David Bunds sums it up this way:
"Believing that he ( Koresh ) was wrong
solved many problems for me. It was amazing." P.211
For Jehovahs Witnesses and others in these high
demand groups. It's not complicated. When you prove the group wrong it will
solve MANY problems for you, It will be quite amazing when it happens, take
my word for it.
Final ending:
Here are some basic commonalties with cults;
1. Total commitment to the leader's interpretation
of the Bible or other other writings.
2. Belief that the leader can do no wrong.
3. Belief in continued revelation that can contradict
previous revelations.
4. Strong belief that we are in the times prior
to the end of the world.
5. A "we-they" mentality.
6. Pressure to conform to the dictates of the
group ( both minor and major issues ), usually threatening disfellowshipping
or excommunication for those who do not submit.
For those interested in this book.
Prophets Of The Apocalypse
David Koresh and Other American Messiahs
By Kenneth Samples, Ewrin de Castro, Richard
Abanes, Robert Lyle
Baker books 1994
Joe Rizoli
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