(Part 3) "The Making Of A Cult"

Seen as god. With a small “g”.

A couple of years ago, when I saw the series/documentary about the Branch Davidian cult, I watched it from an observational standpoint rather than for entertainment purposes, which I feel we all should. I wanted to see exactly how these individuals that followed David Koresh, were manipulated into following him.

He groomed his followers. One of the correct definitions for the term “groom”, according to the Oxford dictionary, is: “to prepare or train (someone) for a particular purpose or activity.” According to Psychology: “Grooming is the predatory act of maneuvering another individual into a position that makes them more isolated, dependent, likely to trust, and more vulnerable to abusive behavior.” (Grooming is an insidious predatory tactic, utilized by abusers.)

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In short, David was an insidious abuser. Very covert in his abuse, which made him even more dangerous. To the normal spectator, he did not “seem” unsafe. He looked like everyone else during that time, was handsome and charming. However, to anyone that has ever experienced covert abuse(hidden) abuse, or simply knows what to look for in that particular abuse, one could see from the start, that many things were off about him. He was the definition of a Psychopath.

David Koresh taught that [the world was sin and flesh, and that his followers were supposed to separate themselves from the world]. They did so, literally. By isolation and away from everything while residing on the compound he had established. In that isolation period, whether in a cult or a relationship, the predator is able to then began to shape the mind, beliefs and the emotions of their victims, where no one can see. The abuse becomes “normal” to the victim, who do not see it as abuse, even if they know that the conditions re terrible. Over time, and through repetitiveness and consistency; they become codependent on the psychological, nervous system affecting drug, of grooming. This is why, victims of abuse have a hard time walking away from their abuser, or they return. Abuse causes chemical imbalances and soul ties.

David believed he was the chosen one. He had his isolated followers believing, that he was the truth a modern day fake messiah; that they needed to defend themselves for what was coming. Even when they lacked the necessities of standard American living, such as: running water, working sewage, and electricity. He told them what to eat and how, what they could not eat, water was rationed, ……and even though he had sexual and “marital” relationships with multiple women and children, the members were told who they could be with. He controlled every fiber of their being. He was radical when he preached, which stirred up a trust and zealousness in his followers. He fed them distorted truth and used the Bible as a weapon. As one psychologist stated; he tested his members to see what and how much they would believe.

On the outside, to those that spectated, he was able to be like a chameleon, and give to the outsiders…..possibly potential victims, what they wanted to see, so they would deem chaos, as normal. He portrayed himself as an anti-government activist, had a calm, peaceful and charming demeanor, when he needed to have one. Which would also be his tactic in gaining more followers. Until, his mask fell. His real identity and the evil man that he was, was placed on full display. At which point, it became a standoff to the death.

It is important to make note of the fact that, Narcissistic cult leaders will save their own lives rather than dying with their followers that they set up for the kill, or they do not want to die alone, and have already prepared a mass suicidal exit…..from the start, often unbeknownst to their followers (except those that work directly with them). They even groom their followers to accept death as some sort of heavenly honor or privilege into a better life. Cult leaders are cowards at heart, which is why they need people to control, as their own spiritual, mental, emotional and physical lives spiraled out of control. Cult leaders know there is a tragic ending to their psychotic actions. Their aim is to take as many victims with them, as possible. They have a narcissistic need, to be well known, even after death.

The followers of David Koresh, all had lives prior to him. One deception after the next, they gave their lives up, and their devotion to him.

When people memorize scripture, rather than knowing it through the leading and direction of the Holy Ghost, people become like the devil. Reading scripture, and twisting it for devious purposes.

Raven🌹