Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in AmericaUniversity of California Press, 2023 M11 15 - 254 pages 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. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1996. 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, |
From inside the book
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Page 2
... leader , David Koresh , were guilty of bizarre sexual practices , child abuse , and paramilitary activities.2 4 Who fired the first shot that morning is disputed . David Koresh , the leader of the Branch Davidians , claimed that he went ...
... leader , David Koresh , were guilty of bizarre sexual practices , child abuse , and paramilitary activities.2 4 Who fired the first shot that morning is disputed . David Koresh , the leader of the Branch Davidians , claimed that he went ...
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... leader . On April 19 , when it all came to a fiery end , 74 Branch Davidians were listed dead , including 21 children under the age of fourteen . 9 In the aftermath BATF director Stephen Higgins and five other high- ranking officials ...
... leader . On April 19 , when it all came to a fiery end , 74 Branch Davidians were listed dead , including 21 children under the age of fourteen . 9 In the aftermath BATF director Stephen Higgins and five other high- ranking officials ...
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... leader of the Babylonian system that Christ defeats in the book of Revelation ( 17-18 ) . It is clear from conversations with surviving Branch Davidi- ans who were inside Mount Carmel that the group feared that the overwhelmingly ...
... leader of the Babylonian system that Christ defeats in the book of Revelation ( 17-18 ) . It is clear from conversations with surviving Branch Davidi- ans who were inside Mount Carmel that the group feared that the overwhelmingly ...
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Contents
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 |
Other editions - View all
Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America James D. Tabor,Eugene V. Gallagher No preview available - 1997 |
Why Waco?: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America James D. Tabor,Eugene V. Gallagher No preview available - 1995 |
Common terms and phrases
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
Popular passages
Page 200 - I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God ; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Page 194 - And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him ; and they were full of eyes within : and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD GOD Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Page 197 - And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Page 194 - And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof ? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Page 78 - And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Page 216 - And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars ; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth : for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Page 9 - And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Page 199 - I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Page 196 - The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must SHORTLY come to pass...
Page 199 - The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.