Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in AmericaUniversity of California Press, 15.11.2023 - 254 Seiten The 1993 government assault on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, resulted in the deaths of four federal agents and eighty Branch Davidians, including seventeen children. Whether these tragic deaths could have been avoided is still debatable, but what seems clear is that the events in Texas have broad implications for religious freedom in America. James Tabor and Eugene Gallagher's bold examination of the Waco story offers the first balanced account of the siege. They try to understand what really happened in Waco: What brought the Branch Davidians to Mount Carmel? Why did the government attack? How did the media affect events? The authors address the accusations of illegal weapons possession, strange sexual practices, and child abuse that were made against David Koresh and his followers. Without attempting to excuse such actions, they point out that the public has not heard the complete story and that many media reports were distorted. The authors have carefully studied the Davidian movement, analyzing the theology and biblical interpretation that were so central to the group's functioning. They also consider how two decades of intense activity against so-called cults have influenced public perceptions of unorthodox religions. In exploring our fear of unconventional religious groups and how such fear curtails our ability to tolerate religious differences, Why Waco? is an unsettling wake-up call. Using the events at Mount Carmel as a cautionary tale, the authors challenge all Americans, including government officials and media representatives, to closely examine our national commitment to religious freedom. |
Inhalt
What Might Have Been | 1 |
Moving to Mount Carmel | 23 |
Unlocking the Seven Seals | 52 |
The Sinful Messiah | 80 |
A Complex Hostage Barricade Rescue Situation | 97 |
The Wacko from Waco | 117 |
The Cult Controversy | 146 |
Waco and Religious Freedom in America | 173 |
Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen
Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America James D. Tabor,Eugene V. Gallagher Eingeschränkte Leseprobe - 2023 |
Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America James D. Tabor,Eugene V. Gallagher Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 1997 |
Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America James D. Tabor,Eugene V. Gallagher Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 1995 |
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
anticult activists April 19 Arnold attorney B]ATF Babylon BATF agents BATF raid believed biblical book of Revelation brainwashing Branch Davidians Bunds called Christian claimed commitment cult leader cultbusters Cyrus David Koresh Dept destructive cult Dick DeGuerin discussion earth Ellen G faith February 28 final fire followers former members God's heaven Houteff Ibid inside Mount Carmel Inside the Cult interpretation interview Isaiah Israel James Tabor Jones Jonestown judgment Justice Report kingdom KRLD Lamb living Livingstone Fagan Lois Roden LORD manuscript Marc Breault March Miller Millerites mind control Mount Carmel center Mount Carmel community negotiators prophecy prophet Psalm religion religious movements Ross Scriptures servants Seven Seals Seventh-Day Adventist Seventh-Day Adventist church sexual siege Sinful Messiah situation tapes teaching Texas theology things throne tion truth understanding unto ventist Vernon verse Victor Houteff Waco Tribune-Herald word