Vernon Howell Research Paper

According to Oxford Living Dictionary the word “cult” is defined as a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or as imposing excessive control over members. Although, it might be more commonly known as Separatists, who are consumed by a certain belief, and the leader is someone who believes he or she is chosen by God or some other deity to lead those who are to follow him or her. In 1993 a standoff went viral, many lost their lives. Members and the leader of the Branch Davidians held their beliefs with them to death.
Vernon Howell was born in Houston, Texas in 1959. In 1981 he arrived at the Branch Davidian compound after being banned indefinitely from a seventh-day adventist in Tyler, Texas. While everyone welcomed him, Howell was despised by one–George Roden. The fight between them became so strong that Howell left the Davidian. 4 years later, Howell was joined by the Branch Davidians in Palestine, Texas. Howell and his followers lived inadequately in plywood shacks until the fight between him and Roden came to an end.

In 1987, Howell and 7 of his followers marched the the home of Roden.

They planned to raid him. Unfortunately, the plan was not successful. The 8 of them were arrested and charged with attempted murder. Later it was found that Roden claimed Howell and his eight followers were trying to kill him. It also came to attention that Howell’s and the others story had been maintained through the whole process–they were there because they wanted to take a photo of the body that Roden had dug up from the grave. Roden said that whoever could resurrect the body would become the prophet of the group. At the end of the trial the eight men, including Howell, walked away clean. While Roden was given 6 months in jail for filing a legal

brief.
Howell saw this as a great opportunity to take over the position as leader of the Branch Davidians in 1990. He was 31 when he began recruiting members into his cult. In 1990 Howell legally changed his name to David Koresh–after the Persian king. He believed he was the final prophet and cracked the code of the 7 seals in the book of Revelation. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible. Some say that this book is an allegory while others say it is made up of previous events. This book gives a complete description of the end-of-time prophecy and how the end of time will come. It also tells one how to best prepare for the end.
As a result from obsessing over this book, Koresh and his followers believed in spiritual weddings. Koresh was capacitated to bed with women, of all ages, that were supposedly ‘god’ chosen. Koresh had many offspring with nineteen women other than his legal wife.
Rachel Jones was David's first wife. She was only fourteen when they were wed. Rachel gave birth to 2 kids; one girl, Star and one boy, Cyrus. Rachel was described had one of Koresh’s most passionate followers. They were married for 9 years. She was twenty-three when she died. It is rumored that Koresh also impregnated Rachel’s younger sister. Rachel's family followed the Branch Davidian before Koresh came into the picture. And followed him to their death.