Project Megiddo - An FBI Strategic Assessment
[Print the following document for easy reading]
The
attached analysis, entitled PROJECT MEGIDDO, is an FBI strategic assessment
of the potential for domestic terrorism in the United States undertaken in
anticipation of or response to the arrival of the new millennium.
Project Megiddo
Table of Contents:
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
II. INTRODUCTION
When Does the New Millennium Begin?
Blueprint for Action: The Turner Diaries
Interpretations of The Bible
Apocalyptic Religious Beliefs
The New World Order Conspiracy Theory and theYear 2000 Computer Bug
Gun Control Laws
III. CHRISTIAN IDENTITY
IV. WHITE SUPREMACY
V. MILITIAS
VI. BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES
VII. APOCALYPTIC CULTS
VIII. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEM
IX. CONCLUSION
For over four thousand years, MEGIDDO, a hill in northern Israel, has been
the site of many battles. Ancient cities were established there to serve as
a fortress on the plain of Jezreel to guard a mountain pass. As Megiddo was
built and rebuilt, one city upon the other, a mound or hill was formed. The
Hebrew word "Armageddon" means "hill of Megiddo." In English,
the word has come to represent battle itself. The last book in the New Testament
of the Bible designates Armageddon as the assembly point in the apocalyptic
setting of God's final and conclusive battle against evil. The name "Megiddo"
is an apt title for a project that analyzes those who believe the year 2000
will usher in the end of the world and who are willing to perpetrate acts
of violence to bring that end about.
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The year 2000 is being discussed and debated at all levels of society. Most of thediscussions regarding this issue revolve around the topic of technology and our society's overwhelming dependence on the multitude of computers and computer chips which make our world run smoothly. However, the upcoming millennium also holds important implications beyond the issue of computer technology. Many extremist individuals and groups place some significance on the next millennium, and as such it will present challenges to law enforcement at many levels. The significance is based primarily upon either religious beliefs relating to the Apocalypse or political beliefs relating to the New World Order (NWO) conspiracy theory. The challenge is how well law enforcement will prepare and respond.
The following report, entitled "Project Megiddo," is intended to
analyze the potential for extremist criminal activity in the United States
by individuals or domestic extremist groups who profess an apocalyptic view
of the millennium or attach special significance to the year 2000. The purpose
behind this assessment is to provide law enforcement agencies with a clear
picture of potential extremism motivated by the next millennium. The report
does not contain information on domestic terrorist groups whose actions are
not influenced by the year 2000.
There are numerous difficulties involved in providing a thorough analysis
of domestic security threats catalyzed by the new millennium. Quite simply,
the very nature of the current domestic terrorism threat places severe limitations
on effective intelligence gathering and evaluation. Ideological and philosophical
belief systems which attach importance, and possibly violence, to the millennium
have been well-articulated. From a law enforcement perspective, the problem
therefore is not a lack of understanding of motivating ideologies: The fundamental
problem is that the traditional focal point for counterterrorism analysis
-- the terrorist group -- is not always well-defined or relevant in the current
environment.
The general trend in domestic extremism is the terrorist's disavowal of traditional,
hierarchical, and structured terrorist organizations. Even well-established
militias, which tend to organize along military lines with central control,
are characterized by factionalism and disunity. While several "professional"
terrorist groups still exist and present a continued threat to domestic security,
the overwhelming majority of extremist groups in the United States have adopted
a fragmented, leaderless structure where individuals or small groups act with
autonomy. Clearly, the worst act of domestic terrorism in United States history
was perpetrated by merely two individuals: Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.
In many cases, extremists of this sort are extremely difficult to identify
until after an incident has occurred. Thus, analysis of domestic extremism
in which the group serves as the focal point of evaluation has obvious limitations.
The Project Megiddo intelligence initiative has identified very few indications
of specific threats to domestic security. Given the present nature of domestic
extremism, this is to be expected. However, this is a function of the limitations
of the group-oriented model of counterterrorism analysis and should not be
taken necessarily as reflective of a minor or trivial domestic threat. Without
question, this initiative has revealed indicators of potential violent activity
on the part of extremists in this country. Militias, adherents of racist belief
systems such as Christian Identity and Odinism, and other radical domestic
extremists are clearly focusing on the millennium as a time of action. Certain
individuals from these various perspectives are acquiring weapons, storing
food and clothing, raising funds through fraudulent means, procuring safe
houses, preparing compounds, surveying potential targets, and recruiting new
converts. These and other indicators are not taking place in a vacuum, nor
are they random or arbitrary. In the final analysis, while making specific
predictions is extremely difficult, acts of violence in commemoration of the
millennium are just as likely to occur as not. In the absence of intelligence
that the more established and organized terrorist groups are planning millennial
violence as an organizational strategy, violence is most likely to be perpetrated
by radical fringe members of established groups. For example, while Aryan
Nations leader Richard Butler publicly frowns on proactive violence, adherents
of his religion or individual members of his organization may commit acts
of violence autonomously.
Potential cult-related violence presents additional challenges to law enforcement.
The potential for violence on behalf of members of biblically-driven cults
is determined almost exclusively by the whims of the cult leader. Therefore,
effective intelligence and analysis of such cults requires an extensive understanding
of the cult leader. Cult members generally act to serve and please the cult
leader rather than accomplish an ideological objective. Almost universally,
cult leaders are viewed as messianic in the eyes of their followers. Also,
the cult leader's prophecies, preachings, orders, and objectives are subject
to indiscriminate change. Thus, while analysis of publicly stated goals and
objectives of cults may provide hints about their behavior and intentions,
it is just as likely to be uninformed or, at worst, misleading. Much more
valuable is a thorough examination of the cult leader, his position of power
over his followers, and an awareness of the responding behavior and activity
of the cult. Sudden changes in activity - for example, less time spent on
"Bible study" and more time spent on "physical training"
- indicate that the cult may be preparing for some type of action.
The millennium holds special significance for many, and as this pivotal point
in time approaches, the impetus for the initiation of violence becomes more
acute. Several religiously motivated groups envision a quick, fiery ending
in an apocalyptic battle. Others may initiate a sustained campaign of terrorism
in the United States to prevent the NWO. Armed with the urgency of the millennium
as a motivating factor, new clandestine groups may conceivably form to engage
in violence toward the U.S. Government or its citizens.
Most importantly, this analysis clearly shows that perceptions matter. The
perceptions of the leaders and followers of extremist organizations will contribute
much toward the ultimate course of action they choose. For example, in-depth
analysis of Y2K compliancy on the part of various key sectors that rely on
computers has determined that, despite a generally positive outlook for overall
compliance, there will be problem industries and minor difficulties and inconveniences.
[1] If they occur, these inconveniences are likely to cause varying responses
by the extreme fringes. Members of various militia groups, for example, have
identified potentially massive power failures as an indication of a United
Nations-directed NWO takeover. While experts have indicated that only minor
brownouts will occur, various militias are likely to perceive such minor brownouts
as indicative of a larger conspiracy. [2]
The Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem has stated
that some state and local governments could be unprepared, including the inability
to provide benefits payments. [3] This could have a significant impact in
major urban areas, resulting in the possibility for civil unrest. Violent
white supremacists are likely to view such unrest as an affirmation of a racist,
hate-filled world view. Likewise, militia members who predict the implementation
of martial law in response to a Y2K computer failure would become all the
more fearful.
1. U.S. Congress, Senate, Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem,
Investigating the Impact of the Year 2000 Problem, February 24, 1996, pp.
1-6.[back]
2.Ibid, p. 3. [back]
3. Ibid. p. 5.[back]
Project
Megiddo
II. INTRODUCTION
Are we already living on the precipice of the Apocalypse - the chaotic final
period of warfare between the forces of good and evil signaling the second
coming of Christ, as forecast in the New Testament's Book of Revelation? Or,
will life on earth continue for another 1,000 years, allowing humans to eliminate
disease and solve the mysteries of the aging process so they can live as long
as Methuselah, colonize space, commune with extraterrestrials, unravel the
secrets of teleportation, and usher in a golden age of peace and productivity?
[4]
At first glance, some of the predictions compiled in Prophecies for the New
Millennium that claim to foretell how the millennium will affect the United
States seem benign. In fact, those predictions capture some of the countless
ways that domestic terrorists view how the millennium will affect the world.
The threat posed by extremists as a result of perceived events associated
with the Year 2000 (Y2K) is very real.
Numerous religious extremists claim that a race war will soon begin, and have
taken steps to become martyrs in their predicted battle between good and evil.
Three recent incidents committed by suspects who adhere to ideologies that
emphasize millennial related violence illustrate those beliefs: Buford O.
Furrow, Jr., the man charged in the August 1999 shootings at a Los Angeles
area Jewish day care center, told authorities "its time for America to
wake and kill the jews"; Ben Smith, who committed suicide after shooting
at minorities in Indiana and Illinois, killing two and injuring ten, over
the July 4, 1999 weekend, was found to have literature in his home that indicated
the year 2000 would be the start of the killing of minorities; and John William
King, the man convicted in the dragging death of James Byrd, Jr., a black
man in Jasper, Texas, believed that his actions would help to initiate a race
war. Each of these men believed in the imminence of a racial holy war.
Meanwhile, for members of the militia movement the new millennium has a political
overtone rather than a religious one. It is their belief that the United Nations
has created a secret plan, known as the New World Order (NWO), to conquer
the world beginning in 2000. The NWO will be set in motion by the Y2K computer
crisis.
Religious motivation and the NWO conspiracy theory are the two driving forces
behind the potential for millennial violence. As the end of the millennium
draws near, biblical prophecy and political philosophy may merge into acts
of violence by the more extreme members of domestic terrorist groups that
are motivated, in part, by religion. The volatile mix of apocalyptic religions
and NWO conspiracy theories may produce violent acts aimed at precipitating
the end of the world as prophesied in the Bible.
When and how Christ's second coming will occur is a critical point in the
ideology of those motivated by extremist religious beliefs about the millennium.
There is no consensus within Christianity regarding the specific date that
the Apocalypse will occur. However, within many right-wing religious groups
there is a uniform belief that the Apocalypse is approaching. Some of these
same groups also point to a variety of non-religious indicators such as gun
control, the Y2K computer problem, the NWO, the banking system, and a host
of other "signs" that the Apocalypse is near. Almost uniformly,
the belief among right-wing religious extremists is that the federal government
is an arm of Satan. Therefore, the millennium will bring about a battle between
Christian martyrs and the government. At the core of this volatile mix is
the belief of apocalyptic religions and cults that the battle against Satan,
as prophesied in the Book of Revelation, will begin in 2000.
An example of the confrontational nature and belief system of religiously
motivated suspects illustrates the unique challenges that law enforcement
faces when dealing with a fatalist/martyr philosophy. It also illustrates
the domino effect that may occur after such a confrontation. Gordon Kahl,
an adherent to the anti-government/racist Christian Identity religion, escaped
after a 1983 shootout with police that left two Deputy U.S. Marshals dead.
He was later killed during a subsequent shootout with the FBI and others that
also left a county sheriff dead. In response to the killing of Kahl, Bob Mathews,
a believer in the racist Odinist ideology, founded The Order. After The Order
committed numerous crimes, its members were eventually tracked down. Mathews
escaped after engaging in a gun battle and later wrote, "Why are so many
men so eager to destroy their own kind for the benefit of the Jews and the
mongrels? I see three FBI agents hiding behind some trees . . . I could have
easily killed them . . . They look like good racial stock yet all their talents
are given to a government which is openly trying to mongrelize the very race
these agents are part of . . . I have been a good soldier, a fearless warrior.
I will die with honor and join my brothers in [heaven]." Exemplifying
his beliefs as a martyr, Mathews later burned to death in an armed standoff
with the FBI.
In light of the enormous amount of millennial rhetoric, the FBI sought to
analyze anumber of variables that have the potential to spark violent acts
perpetrated by domestic terrorists. Religious beliefs, the Y2K computer problem,
and gun control laws all have the potential to become catalysts for such terrorism.
The following elements are essential to understanding the phenomenon of domestic
terrorism related to the millennium:
When Does the New Millennium Begin?
As the nation and the world prepare to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium,
a debate has arisen as to the correct date for its beginning. Although the
true starting point of the next millennium is January 1, 2001, as established
by the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., our nation's official time
keeper, many will celebrate January 1, 2000, as the start of the millennium.
The majority of domestic terrorists, like the general public, place a greater
significance on January 1, 2000.
Blueprint for Action: The Turner Diaries
Many right-wing extremists are inspired by The Turner Diaries, a book written
by William Pierce (under the pseudonym Andrew Macdonald), the leader of the
white supremacist group National Alliance. The book details a violent overthrow
of the federal government by white supremacists and also describes a brutal
race war that is to take place simultaneously. To date, several groups or
individuals have been inspired by this book:
o At the time of his arrest, Timothy McVeigh, the man responsible for the
Oklahoma City bombing, had a copy of The Turner Diaries in his possession.
McVeigh's action against the Murrah Federal Building was strikingly similar
to an event described in the book where the fictional terrorist group blows
up FBI Headquarters.
o The Order, an early 1980s terrorist cell involved in murder, robberies,
and counterfeiting, was motivated by the book's scenarios for a race war.
The group murdered Alan Berg, a Jewish talk show host, and engaged in other
acts of violence in order to hasten the race war described in the book. The
Order's efforts later inspired another group, The New Order, which planned
to commit similar crimes in an effort to start a race war that would lead
to a violent revolution. [5]
o Most recently, The Turner Diaries provided inspiration to John William King,
the man convicted for dragging a black man to his death in Jasper, Texas.
As King shackled James Byrd's legs to the back of his truck he was reported
to say, "We're going to start the Turner Diaries early." [6]
During the year 2000 and beyond, The Turner Diaries will be an inspiration
for right-wing terrorist groups to act because it outlines both a revolutionary
takeover of the government and a race war. These elements of the book appeal
to a majority of right-wing extremists because it is their belief that one
or both events will coincide with Y2K.
Interpretations of the Bible
Religiously based domestic terrorists use the New Testament's Book of Revelation
-- the prophecy of the endtime -- for the foundation of their belief in the
Apocalypse. Religious extremists interpret the symbolism portrayed in the
Book of Revelation and mold it to predict that the endtime is now and that
the Apocalypse is near. To understand many religious extremists, it is crucial
to know the origin of the Book of Revelation and the meanings of its words,
numbers and characters.
The Book of Revelation was written by a man named "John" who was
exiled by the Roman government to a penal colony - the island of Patmos -
because of his beliefs in Christ.[7] While on the island, he experienced a
series of visions, described in the Book of Revelation. The writing in the
Book of Revelation is addressed to churches who were at the time experiencing
or were threatened by persecution from Rome because they were not following
the government. For this reason, some believe the Book of Revelation was written
in code language, much of which was taken from other parts of the Bible.
One interpretation describing the essence of the message contained in Revelation
is that God will overcome Christianity's enemies (Roman Government/Satan)
and that the persecuted communities should persevere.[8] For right-wing groups
who believe they are being persecuted by the satanic government of the United
States, the Book of Revelation's message fits perfectly into their world view.
This world view, in combination with a literal interpretation of the Book
of Revelation, is reflected in extremist ideology, violent acts, and literature.
For this reason, it is imperative to know the meaning of some of the "code
words" frequently used:
· Four (4) signifies the world.
· Six (6) signifies imperfection.
· Seven (7) is the totality of perfection or fullness and completeness.
· Twelve (12) represents the twelve tribes of Israel or the 12 apostles.
· One-thousand (1000) signifies immensity.
· The color white symbolizes power and can also represent victory,
joy and resurrection.
· The color red symbolizes a bloody war.
· The color black symbolizes famine.
· A rider on a pale green horse is a symbol of Death itself.
· "Babylon" is the satanic Roman Government, now used to
describe the U.S.government. [9]
Black Hebrew Israelites, a black supremacist group, typify the use of numerology
from the Book of Revelation. They believe group members will comprise the
144,000 people who are saved by God in the second coming that is outlined
in Revelation (7:1-17). In the Book of Revelation, John is shown a vision
of 144,000 martyrs who have survived and did not submit to Satan. This number
is derived from the assertion that the twelve tribes of Israel consisted of
12,000 people each.
Groups not only use the Bible to interpret the endtimes, but use it to justify
their ideology. Phineas Priests, an amorphous group of Christian Identity
adherents, base their entire ideology on Chapter 25 of the Book of Numbers.
The passage depicts a scene where Phineas kills an Israelite who was having
relations with a Midianite woman and God then granted Phineas and all of his
descendants a pledge of everlasting priesthood. Modern day followers of the
Phineas Priest ideology believe themselves to be the linear descendants of
Phineas and this passage gives them biblical justification to punish those
who transgress God's laws. Therefore, the group is ardently opposed to race
mixing and strongly believes in racial separation. The number 25 is often
used as a symbol of the group.
Apocalyptic Religious Beliefs
To understand the mind set of why religious extremists would actively seek
to engage in violent confrontations with law enforcement, the most common
extremist ideologies must be understood. Under these ideologies, many extremists
view themselves as religious martyrs who have a duty to initiate or take part
in the coming battles against Satan. Domestic terrorist groups who place religious
significance on the millennium believe the federal government will act as
an arm of Satan in the final battle. By extension, the FBI is viewed as acting
on Satan's behalf.
The philosophy behind targeting the federal government or entities perceived
to be associated with it is succinctly described by Kerry Noble, a former
right-wing extremist. He says the right-wing "envision[s] a dark and
gloomy endtime scenario, where some Antichrist makes war against Christians."
[10] The House of Yahweh, a Texas based religious group whose leaders are
former members of the tax protesting Posse Comitatus, is typical: Hawkins
(the leader) has interpreted biblical scripture that the Israeli Peace Accord
signed on October 13, 1993, has started a 7-year period of tribulation which
will end on October 14, 2000, with the return of the Yeshua (the Messiah).
[11] He also has interpreted that the FBI will be the downfall of the House
of Yahweh and that the Waco Branch Davidian raids in 1993 were a warning to
The House of Yahweh from the federal government, which he terms "the
beast."[12] Similarly, Richard Butler, leader of the white supremacist
group Aryan Nations, said the following when asked what might have motivated
the day care shooting by Buford O. Furrow, Jr., one of his group's followers:
"There's a war against the white race. There's a war of extermination
against the white male." [13]
The New World Order Conspiracy Theory and the Year
2000 Computer Bug
Unlike religiously based terrorists, militia anxiety and paranoia specifically
relating to the year 2000 are based mainly on a political ideology. Some militia
members read significance into 2000 as it relates to their conception of the
NWO conspiracy. [14] The NWO conspiracy theory holds that the United Nations
(UN) will lead a military coup against the nations of the world to form a
socialist or One World Government. UN troops, consisting mostly of foreign
armies, will commence a military takeover of America. The UN will mainly use
foreign troops on American soil because foreigners will have fewer reservations
about killing American citizens. U.S. armed forces will not attempt to stop
this invasion by UN troops and, in fact, the U.S. military may be "deputized"
as a branch of the UN armed forces. The American military contingent overseas
will also play a large part in this elaborate conspiracy theory, as they will
be used to help conquer the rest of the world. The rationale for this part
of the theory is that American soldiers will also have less qualms about killing
foreigners, as opposed to killing their own citizens.
Under this hypothetical NWO/One World Government, the following events are
to takeplace: 1) private property rights and private gun ownership will be
abolished; 2) all national, state and local elections will become meaningless,
since they will be controlled by the UN; 3) the U.S. Constitution will be
supplanted by the UN charter; 4) only approved churches and other places of
worship will be permitted to operate and will become appendages of the One
World Religion, which will be the only legitimate doctrine of religious beliefs
and ethical values; 5) home schooling will be outlawed and all school curriculum
will need to be approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and 6) American military bases and other federal
facilities will be used as concentration camps by the UN to confine those
patriots, including the militias, who defy the NWO. Other groups beside the
UN that are often mentioned as being part of the NWO conspiracy theory are
Jews, Communists, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Bilderbergers and
the Trilateral Commission. Law enforcement officials will probably notice
different versions of this theory, depending upon the source.
The NWO conspiracy theory is particularly relevant to the millennium because
the year 2000 is considered to be a triggering device for the NWO due to the
element of computer breakdown. Many computers around the world are based on
a numerical system in which the year is only registered by the last two digits.
A number of militia members accept the theory that on January 1, 2000, many
computers will misinterpret this date as January 1, 1900, and malfunction
and/or shut down completely. They further believe that these major computer
malfunctions will cause widespread chaos at all levels of society- economic,
social and political. This chaos will theoretically create a situation in
which American civilization will collapse, which will then produce an environment
that the UN will exploit to forcibly take over the United States. Therefore,
these militia members (as well as other groups) believe that the year 2000
will be the catalyst for the NWO.
According to James Wickstrom, former leader of the defunct Posse Comitatus
and "Minister" of the True Church of Israel, anyone who holds any
powerful political influence knows that the Y2K crisis may be the final fuse
that will lead to the NWO that "David Rockefeller and the rest of his
satanic jew seedline desire to usher in upon the earth." [15] He claims
that Jews have conspired to create the Y2K problem and that the prospect of
impending computer failure is very real. Similarly, The New American, an organ
of the ultraconservative John Birch Society, speculates that the Y2K bug could
be America's Reichstag fire, a reference to the 1933 arson attack on Germany's
Parliament building that was used by Hitler as an excuse to enact police state
laws. Similar to this train of thought, Norm Olson, leader of the Northern
Michigan Regional Militia, believes constitutional rights probably will be
suspended before the real crisis hits. He states: "It will be the worst
time for humanity since the Noahic flood." [16]
However, there are some extremists who do not attach any major significance
to the Y2K problem. In his article, "The Millennium Bug and 'Mainstreaming'
the News," William Pierce of the National Alliance tells his followers
not to worry, or at least, not to worry very much about the Y2K issue. Pierce
predicts that the main event that will occur on New Year's Day 2000 is that
crazed millennialists will go "berserk when the Second Coming fails to
occur." Also, "a few right-wing nuts may launch a premature attack
on the government, figuring that without its computers the government won't
be able to fight back." Pierce claims that the lights will remain on,
and that airplanes will not fall from the sky. He says that he is able to
make such a prediction with some degree of confidence because, "contrary
to what some cranks would have you believe, the computer professionals and
the government have been working on the Y2K problem for some time." [17]
Gun Control Laws
The passage of the Brady Bill and assault weapons ban in 1994 were interpreted
by those in the militia movement and among the right-wing as the first steps
towards disarming citizens in preparation for the UN-led NWO takeover. Some
are convinced that the registration of gun owners is in preparation for a
confiscation of firearms and eventually the arrest of the gun owners themselves.
An article by Larry Pratt, Executive Director for Gun Owners of America, interprets
a 1995 UN study of small arms, done reportedly in cooperation with U.S. police,
customs and military services, as part of the UN's plan to take over the U.S.
Pratt goes on to say that the "UN is increasingly assuming the jurisdictional
authority of a federal world government with the U.S. as just one of scores
of member states. And gun control -- meaning civilian disarmament -- is high
up on the agenda of the UN." [18] Speculation like this only serves to
fuel the already existing paranoia of militia and patriot groups.
The right-wing believes that many of the restrictions being placed on the
ownership of firearms today mirror events in The Turner Diaries. In his book,
Pierce writes about the United States government banning the private possession
of firearms and staging gun raids in an effort to arrest gun owners. The book
discusses the government/police use of black men, assigned as "special
deputies" to carry out the gun raids. Many members of the right-wing
movement view the book as prophetic, believing that it is only a matter of
time before these events occur in real life.
In the aftermath of the school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, President
Clinton,Congress, and Attorney General Reno acted swiftly to propose new laws
aimed at restricting the sales of guns to juveniles and to close loopholes
in existing laws. In May 1999, the Senate passed a bill to ban the importation
of high capacity ammunition magazines and require background checks for guns
sold at gun shows. In light of the enormous importance and prominent role
that extremist groups place on the Second Amendment, it is probable that recent
government actions aimed at controlling guns are perceived to be compelling
signs of the UN-led NWO takeover.
4. Cliff Linedecker, Prophecies for the New Millennium (Lantana, FL: Micromags,
1999), p. 3-4. [back]
5. Charles Bosworth Jr., "Illinois Man Sought Start of Race War,"
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 15, 1998.[back]
6. Paul Duggan, "From Beloved Son to Murder Suspect," The Washington
Post, February 16, 1999.[back]
7.While he never claimed to be the book's author, the Apostle John was identified
as such by several of the early church Fathers. Authorship is generally ascribed
to him today.[back]
8. This interpretation of the Book of Revelation is according to the Catholic
Bible and a Catholic scholar that was consulted on the matter. However, there
are other varying interpretations of the Book of Revelation within Christianity.[back]
9. All symbolism was taken from The Catholic Bible; New American Bible [back]
10. Kerry Noble, Tabernacle of Hate: Why they Bombed Oklahoma City ( Prescott,
Ontario, Canada: Voyageur Publishing, 1998).[back]
11. Robert Draper, "Happy Doomsday," Texas Monthly, July 1997, p.74;
Evan Moore, "A House Divided: Tensions divide Abilene-area cult,"
The Houston Chronicle, March 24, 1996.[back]
12. Evan Moore, "A House Divided: Tensions divide Abilene-area cult,"
The Houston Chronicle, March 24, 1996.[back]
13. John K. Wiley, "Profile of attack suspect is familiar and frightening,"
The Miami Herald, August 12, 1999.[back]
14. Use of this term within militia circles became more common after President
Bush starting using it to refer to the state of world affairs after the collapse
of the USSR at the end of the Cold War and in the context of using international
organizations to assist in governing international relations. The term One
World Government is also used as a synonym for the New World Order.[back]
15. James P. Wickstrom, "Intelligence Update," October 1998, accessed
at www.posse~comitatus.org. [back]
16. See Fall 1998 edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence
Report, "Millennium Y2KAOS." [back]
17. William Pierce, "The Millennium Bug and 'Mainstreaming' the News,"
accessed at www.natvan.com.[back]
18. Larry Pratt, "The United Nations: Pressing for U.S. Gun Control,"
accessed at www.gunowners.org [back]
Project
Megiddo
III. CHRISTIAN IDENTITY
Christian Identity is an ideology which asserts that the white Aryan race
is God's chosen race and that whites comprise the ten lost tribes of Israel.
[19] There is no single document that expresses this belief system. Adherents
refer to the Bible to justify their racist ideals. Interpreting the Book of
Genesis, Christian Identity followers assert that Adam was preceded by other,
lesser races, identified as "the beasts of the field" (Gen. 1:25).
Eve was seduced by the snake (Satan) and gave birth to two seed lines: Cain,
the direct descendent of Satan and Eve, and Able, who was of good Aryan stock
through Adam. Cain then became the progenitor of the Jews in his subsequent
matings with the non-Adamic races. Christian Identity adherents believe the
Jews are predisposed to carry on a conspiracy against the Adamic seed line
and today have achieved almost complete control of the earth. [20] This is
referred to as the two-seedline doctrine, which provides Christian Identity
followers with a biblical justification for hatred.
The roots of the Christian Identity movement can be traced back to British-Israelism,
the conviction that the British are the lineal descendants of the "ten
lost tribes" of Israel. It is a belief that existed for some time before
it became a movement in the second half of the 19th century. The writings
of John Wilson helped to extend the idea of British-Israelism to Anglo-Israelism,
which included other Teutonic peoples -- mostly northern European peoples
from Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland. British-Israelism was brought
to America in the early part of the 1920s, where it remained decentralized
until the 1930s. At that time, the movement underwent the final transformation
to become what we know as Christian Identity, at which time its ties to the
original English movement were cut and it became distinctly American.
Wesley Swift is considered the single most significant figure in the early
years of the Christian Identity movement in the United States. He popularized
it in the right-wing by "combining British-Israelism, a demonic anti-Semitism,
and political extremism." [21] He founded his own church in California
in the mid 1940s where he could preach this ideology. In addition, he had
a daily radio broadcast in California during the 1950s and 60s, through which
he was able to proclaim his ideology to a large audience. With Swift's efforts,
the message of his church spread, leading to the creation of similar churches
throughout the country. In 1957, the name of his church was changed to The
Church of Jesus Christ Christian, which is used today by Aryan Nations (AN)
churches. One of Swift's associates, William Potter Gale, was far more militant
than Swift and brought a new element to Christian Identity churches. He became
a leading figure in the anti-tax and paramilitary movements of the 1970s and
80s. There are numerous Christian Identity churches that preach similar messages
and some espouse more violent rhetoric than others, but all hold fast to the
belief that Aryans are God's chosen race.
Christian Identity also believes in the inevitability of the end of the world
and the Second Coming of Christ. It is believed that these events are part
of a cleansing process that is needed before Christ's kingdom can be established
on earth. During this time, Jews and their allies will attempt to destroy
the white race using any means available. The result will be a violent and
bloody struggle -- a war, in effect -- between God's forces, the white race,
and the forces of evil, the Jews and nonwhites. Significantly, many adherents
believe that this will be tied into the coming of the new millennium.
The view of what Armageddon will be varies among Christian Identity believers.
Some contend there will be a race war in which millions will die; others believe
that the United Nations, backed by Jewish representatives of the anti-Christ,
will take over the country and promote a New World Order. One Christian Identity
interpretation is that white Christians have been chosen to watch for signs
of the impending war in order to warn others. They are to then physically
struggle with the forces of evil against sin and other violations of God's
law (i.e., race-mixing and internationalism); many will perish, and some of
God's chosen will be forced to wear the Mark of the Beast to participate in
business and commerce. After the final battle is ended and God's kingdom is
established on earth, only then will the Aryan people be recognized as the
one and true Israel.
Christian Identity adherents believe that God will use his chosen race as
his weapons to battle the forces of evil. Christian Identity followers believe
they are among those chosen by God to wage this battle during Armageddon and
they will be the last line of defense for the white race and Christian America.
To prepare for these events, they engage in survivalist and paramilitary training,
storing foodstuffs and supplies, and caching weapons and ammunition. They
often reside on compounds located in remote areas.
As the millennium approaches, various right-wing groups pose a threat to American
society. The radical right encompasses a vast number and variety of groups,
such as survivalists, militias, the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, Christian Identity
churches, the AN and skinheads. These groups are not mutually exclusive and
within the subculture individuals easily migrate from one group to another.
This intermixing of organizations makes it difficult to discern a singular
religious ideology or belief system that encompasses the right-wing.
Nevertheless, Christian Identity is the most unifying theology for a number
of these diverse groups and one widely adhered to by white supremacists. It
is a belief system that provides its members with a religious basis for racism
and an ideology that condones violence against non-Aryans. This doctrine allows
believers to fuse religion with hate, conspiracy theories, and apocalyptic
fear of the future. Christian Identity-inspired millennialism has a distinctly
racist tinge in the belief that Armageddon will be a race war of Aryans against
Jews and nonwhites. The potential difficulty society may face due to the Y2K
computer glitch is considered by a number of Christian Identity adherents
to be the perfect event upon which to instigate a race war.
There are a number of issues concerning the Christian Identity belief system
that create problems when determining the threat level of groups. First, Christian
Identity does not have a national organizational structure. Rather, it is
a grouping of churches throughout the country which follows its basic ideology.
Some of these churches can be as small as a dozen people, and some as large
as the AN church, which claims membership in the thousands. In addition, some
groups take the belief to a higher extreme and believe violence is the means
to achieve their goal. This lack of structure creates a greater potential
for violent actions by lone offenders and/or leaderless cells. It is important
to note that only a small percentage of Christian Identity adherents believe
that the new millennium will bring about a race war. However, those that do
have a high propensity for violence.
Secondly, there are many factions of the right-wing, from Christian Identity
to militias, all of which are intermingled in ideology and members. In some
cases it is easy for a person to be a member of more than one group or to
move from one to another. Often, if a member of one group believes the group
is lax in its convictions, he or she will gravitate to a group that is more
radical.
The third concern is the increased level of cooperation between the different
groups. This trend can be seen throughout the right-wing. Christian Identity
followers are pairing up with militias to receive paramilitary training and
have also joined with members of the Ku Klux Klan and other right-wing groups.
This cohesiveness creates an environment in which ideology can easily spread
and branch out. However, it makes the job of law enforcement much more difficult
as there are no distinctive borders between groups or ideology.
Lastly, the formation of splinter groups or state chapters from larger organizations
presents an increased level of threat due to the likelihood that the leader
has diminished control over the members and actions of the smaller groups.
The AN is a large group that adheres to the Christian Identity belief system.
The group espouses hatred toward Jews, the federal government, blacks and
other minorities. The ultimate goal of the AN is to forcibly take five northwestern
states -- Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and Montana -- from the United
States government in order to establish an Aryan homeland. It consists of
a headquarters in Hayden Lake, Idaho, and a number of state chapters, which
often act as their own entities. While the leader may not support or encourage
acts of violence, it is easy for small cells of members or splinter groups
to take part in violent acts without the knowledge of the leader. The individuals
are associated with the group as a whole and carry the name of the group,
but may perpetrate acts on their own.
These factors make a threat assessment concerning millennial violence difficult
to determine. There is a moderate possibility of small factions of right-wing
groups, whether they be members of the same group, or members of different
groups, acting in an overtly violent manner in order to initiate the Apocalypse.
Several problems associated with the assessment for violence can be seen when
looking at the structure and actions of the AN. The AN has been headquartered
at Hayden Lake since the late 1970s and remains a focal point for the group's
activities. Its annual World Congress attracts a number of different factions
from the right-wing, including members and leaders of various right-wing groups.
The World Congress is often viewed as a sort of round table to discuss right-wing
issues. These meetings have led to an increased level of contact between AN
members and members and leaders of other groups. This degree of networking
within the right-wing may further the AN's base of support and help advance
its cause.
One of the greatest threats posed by the right-wing in terms of millennial
violence is the formation of a conglomeration of individuals that will work
together to commit criminal acts. This has happened with some frequency in
the past. Bob Mathews formed a subgroup of the AN, called The Order, which
committed a number of violent crimes, including murder. Their mission was
to bring about a race war and there are several groups that currently exist
which hold these same beliefs. Dennis McGiffen, who also had ties to the AN,
formed a cell called The New Order, based on Mathews' group. The members were
arrested before they could follow through on their plans to try to start a
race war. Chevie Kehoe, who was convicted of three homicides, conspiracy and
interstate transportation of stolen property also spent some time at the AN
compound. Most recently, Buford O. Furrow, Jr., the man accused of the August
10, 1999, shooting at the Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, California,
also spent some time at the AN compound working as a security guard.
A relatively new tenet gaining popularity among Christian Identity believers
justifies the use of violence if it is perpetrated in order to punish violators
of God's law, as found in the Bible and interpreted by Christian Identity
ministers and adherents. This includes killing interracial couples, abortionists,
prostitutes and homosexuals, burning pornography stores, and robbing banks
and perpetrating frauds to undermine the "usury system." Christian
Identity adherents engaging in such behavior are referred to as Phineas Priests
or members of the Phineas Priesthood. This is a very appealing concept to
Christian Identity's extremist members who believe they are being persecuted
by the Jewish-controlled U.S. government and society and/or are eagerly preparing
for Armageddon. Among adherents today, the Phineas Priesthood is viewed as
a call to action or a badge of honor.
IV. WHITE SUPREMACY
There are a number of white supremacy groups that do not necessarily adhere
to Christian Identity or other religious doctrines. White supremacy groups
such as the National Alliance, the American Nazi Party and the National Socialist
White People's Party are largely politically, rather than religiously, motivated.
The National Alliance is probably best known for its leader, William Pierce,
who is one of the most recognized names in the radical right. Pierce wrote
The Turner Diaries and Hunter and hosts a weekly radio program, American Dissident
Voices. Via these outlets, Pierce is able to provide his followers with an
ideological and practical framework for committing violent acts. The rhetoric
of these groups largely shadows that of Adolf Hitler's in content and political
ideology. In 1997, Pierce stated that:
Ultimately we must separate ourselves from the Blacks and other non-whites
and keep ourselves separate, no matter what it takes to accomplish this. We
must do this not because we hate Blacks, but because we cannot survive if
we remain mixed with them. And we cannot survive if we permit the Jews and
the traitors among us to remain among us and to repeat their treachery. Eventually
we must hunt them down and get rid of them. [22]
The end goal of National Socialist and Christian Identity devotees is the
same: an all white nation. However, Christian Identity followers appear to
be more of a threat concerning the millennium because of their religious beliefs.
There are also white supremacist groups which adhere to the general supremacist
ideology, but are not political or religious in nature. For example, the Ku
Klux Klan (KKK) proposes racial segregation that is not generally based on
religious ideals. The KKK is one of the most recognized white supremacist
groups in the United States. Its history is expansive and its actions of cross
burnings and rhetoric of hate are well known. There is currently not a singular
KKK group with a hierarchical structure, but many different KKK groups with
a common ideology.
The KKK, as a whole, does not pose a significant threat with regard to the
millennium. That is not to say that a member of the KKK will not act on his
own or in concert with members of another group. Law enforcement has been
very successful in infiltrating a number of these groups, thereby keeping
abreast of their plans for action. The KKK also draws the attention of many
watchdog groups, and the Southern Poverty Law Center produces a quarterly
publication entitled "Klanwatch." It would be difficult for any
of the known KKK groups to participate in millennial violence without law
enforcement knowing.
Again, there is a great deal of movement that is possible throughout the right-wing,
regardless of prior beliefs. If a member of a Christian Identity faction does
not feel that his current group is taking enough violent action, it is possible
for that member to move on to other ideologies or organizations such as Odinism,
the World Church of the Creator (WCOTC) or the National Socialist movement.
Because of this movement, it is also likely that communication exists between
various factions of the right-wing, from religious groups to skinheads. Their
end goals are similar.
The WCOTC presents a recent example of violence perpetrated by a white supremacist
in order to bring about a race war. The major creed upon which Ben Klassen
founded the religion is that one's race is his religion. Aside from this central
belief, its ideology is similar to many Christian Identity groups in the conviction
that there is a Jewish conspiracy in control of the federal government, international
banking, and the media. They also dictate that RAHOWA, a racial holy war,
is destined to ensue to rid the world of Jews and "mud races." In
the early 1990s, there was a dramatic increase in membership due to the growing
belief in the Apocalypse and that RAHOWA was imminent.
In 1996, Matt Hale, who has come upon recent fame by being denied a license
to practice law in Illinois, was appointed the new leader of the Church of
the Creator. Hale made a number of changes to the group, including changing
the name of the organization to the World Church of the Creator, giving it
the feel of a widespread movement.
As publicly reported, there is information to indicate that the WCOTC has
violent plans for the millennium. Officials who searched Benjamin Smith's
apartment, the man who went on a racially motivated killing spree over the
4th of July weekend, found a loose-leaf binder of handwritings. These writings
described a holy war among the races and included a reference to the new millennium.
Passages included plans of how white supremacists would shoot at non-whites
from motor vehicles after the dawning of the new millennium. [23] While the
group's rhetoric does include the belief in a race war and the creation of
an all white bastion within the United States, other than Smith's writings,
there is no indication that it is linked to the millennium.
In addition, there have been recent incidents that have demonstrated the willingness
of members to take part in violent action. WCOTC members in Southern Florida
are thought to be tied to several racially motivated beatings. Within the
last year, four Florida members were convicted for the pistol-whipping and
robbery of a Jewish video store owner. They were supposedly trying to raise
money for "the revolution." [24]
Odinists dangerous is the fact that many believe in the necessity of becoming
martyrs for their cause. For example, Bob Mathews, the leader of The Order,
died in a fiery confrontation with law enforcement. Also, William King relished
the fact that he would receive the death penalty for his act of dragging James
Byrd, Jr. to his death. Odinism has little to do with Christian Identity but
there is one key similarity: Odinism provides dualism -- as does Christian
Identity -- with regard to the universe being made up of worlds of light (white
people) and worlds of dark (non-white people). The most fundamental difference
between the two ideologies is that Odinists do not believe in Jesus Christ.
However, there are enough similarities between the myths and legends of Odinism
and the beliefs of Christian Identity to make a smooth transition from Christian
Identity to Odinism for those racist individuals whose penchant for violence
is not being satisfied.
V. MILITIAS
The majority of growth within the militia movement occurred during the 1990s.
There is not a simple definition of how a group qualifies as a militia. However,
the following general criteria can be used as a guideline: (1) a militia is
a domestic organization with two or more members; (2) the organization must
possess and use firearms; and (3) the organization must conduct or encourage
paramilitary training. Other terms used to describe militias are Patriots
and Minutemen.
Most militias engage in a variety of anti-government rhetoric. This discourse
can range from the protesting of government policies to the advocating of
violence and/or the overthrow of the federal government. However, the majority
of militia groups are non-violent and only a small segment of the militias
actually commit acts of violence to advance their political goals and beliefs.
A number of militia leaders, such as Lynn Van Huizen of the Michigan Militia
Corps -Wolverines, have gone to some effort to actively rid their ranks of
radical members who are inclined to carry out acts of violence and/or terrorism.
[25] Officials at the FBI Academy classify militia groups within four categories,
ranging from moderate groups who do not engage in criminal activity to radical
cells which commit violent acts of terrorism. [26] It should be clearly stated
that the FBI only focuses on radical elements of the militia movement capable
and willing to commit violence against government, law enforcement, civilian,
military and international targets. In addition, any such investigation of
these radical militia units must be conducted within strict legal parameters.
Militia anxiety and paranoia specifically relating to the year 2000 are based
mainly on a political ideology, as opposed to religious beliefs. Many militia
members believe that the year 2000 will lead to political and personal repression
enforced by the United Nations and countenanced by a compliant U.S. government.
This belief is commonly known as the New World Order (NWO) conspiracy theory
(see Chapter I, Introduction). Other issues which have served as motivating
factors for the militia movement include gun control, the incidents at Ruby
Ridge (1992) and Waco (1993), the Montana Freemen Standoff (1996) and the
restriction of land use by federal agencies.
One component of the NWO conspiracy theory -- that of the use of American
military bases by the UN -- is worth exploring in further detail. Law enforcement
officers, as well as military personnel, should be aware that the nation's
armed forces have been the subject of a great deal of rumor and paranoia circulating
among many militia groups. One can find numerous references in militia literature
to military bases to be used as concentration camps in the NWO and visiting
foreign military personnel conspiring to attack Americans.
Finally, Odinism is another white supremacist ideology that lends itself to
violence and has the potential to inspire its followers to violence in connection
to the millennium. What makes found on the website for the militia group United
States Theatre Command (USTC). [27] The USTC website prominently features
the NWO theory as it portrays both Camp Grayling in Michigan and Fort Dix
in New Jersey as detention centers to be used to house prisoners in an upcoming
war. Specifically in reference to a photograph of Camp Grayling, the USTC
website states: "Note that the barbed wire is configured to keep people
in, not out, and also note in the middle of the guard towers, a platform for
the mounting of a machine gun." Specifically in reference to a photograph
of Fort Dix, the USTC website states: "Actual photos of an 'Enemy Prisoner
of War' camp in the United States of America! (Fort Dix, New Jersey to be
exact!) Is there going to be a war here? Many more are suspected to be scattered
throughout the United States."
Law enforcement personnel should be aware of the fact that the majority of
militias are reactive, as opposed to proactive. Reactive militia groups are
generally not a threat to law enforcement or the public. These militias may
indeed believe that some type of NWO scenario may be imminent in the year
2000, but they are more inclined to sit back and wait for it to happen. They
will stockpile their guns and ammunition and food, and wait for the government
to curtail their liberties and take away their guns. When the expected NWO
tragedy does not take place, these reactive militias will simply continue
their current activities, most of which are relatively harmless. They will
not overreact to minor disruptions of electricity, water and other public
services.
However, there is a small percentage of the militia movement which may be
more proactive and commit acts of domestic terrorism. As stated earlier, the
main focus of the militias connected to the Y2K/millennium revolves around
the NWO conspiracy theory. While the NWO is a paranoid theory, there may be
some real technological problems arising from the year 2000. Among these are
malfunctioning computers, which control so many facets of our everyday lives.
Any such computer malfunctions may adversely affect power stations and other
critical infrastructure. If such breakdowns do occur, these may be interpreted
as a sign by some of the militias that electricity is being shut off on purpose
in order to create an environment of confusion. In the paranoid rationalizations
of these militia groups, this atmosphere of confusion can only be a prelude
to the dreaded NWO/One World Government. These groups may then follow through
on their premeditated plans of action.
VI. BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES
As the millennium approaches, radical fringe members of the Black Hebrew Israelite
(BHI) movement may pose a challenge for law enforcement. As with the adherents
of most apocalyptic philosophies, certain segments of the BHI movement have
the potential to engage in violence at the turn of the century. This movement
has been associated with extreme acts of violence in the recent past, and
current intelligence from a variety of sources indicates that extreme factions
of BHI groups are preparing for a race war to close the millennium.
Violent BHI followers can generally be described as proponents of an extreme
form of black supremacy. Drawing upon the teachings of earlier BHI adherents,
such groups hold that blacks represent God's true "chosen people,"
while condemning whites as incarnate manifestations of evil. As God's "authentic"
Jews, BHI adherents believe that mainstream Jews are actually imposters. Such
beliefs bear a striking resemblance to the Christian Identity theology practiced
by many white supremacists. In fact, Tom Metzger, renowned white supremacist,
once remarked, "They're the black counterpart of us." [28] Like
their Christian Identity counterparts, militant BHI followers tend to see
themselves as divinely endowed by God with superior status. As a result, some
followers of this belief system hold that violence, including murder, is justifiable
in the eyes of God, provided that it helps to rid the world of evil. Violent
BHI groups are of particular concern as the millennium approaches because
they believe in the inevitability of a race war between blacks and whites.
The extreme elements of the BHI movement are prone to engage in violent activity.
As seen in previous convictions of BHI followers, adherents of this philosophy
have a proven history of violence, and several indications point toward a
continuation of this trend. Some BHI followers have been observed in public
donning primarily black clothing, with emblems and/or patches bearing the
"Star of David" symbol. Some BHI members practice paramilitary operations
and wear web belts and shoulder holsters. Some adherents have extensive criminal
records for a variety of violations, including weapons charges, assault, drug
trafficking, and fraud.
In law enforcement circles, BHI groups are typically associated with violence
and criminal activity, largely as a result of the movement's popularization
by Yahweh Ben Yahweh, formerly known as Hulon Mitchell, Jr., and the Miami-based
Nation of Yahweh (NOY). In reality, the origins of the BHI movement are non-violent.
While the BHI belief system may have roots in the United States as far back
as the Civil War era, the movement became more recognized as a result of the
teachings of an individual known as Ben Ami Ben Israel, a.k.a Ben Carter,
from the south side of Chicago. Ben Israel claims to have had a vision at
the age of 27, hearing "a voice tell me that the time had come for Africans
in America, the descendants of the Biblical Israelites, to return to the land
of our forefathers." [29] Ben Israel persuaded a group of African-Americans
to accompany him to Israel in 1967, teaching that African-Americans descended
from the biblical tribe of Judah and, therefore, that Israel is the land of
their birthright. Ben Israel and his followers initially settled in Liberia
for the purposes of cleansing themselves of bad habits. In 1969, a small group
of BHI followers left Liberia for Israel, with Ben Israel and the remaining
original migrants arriving in Israel the following year. Public source estimates
of the BHI community in Israel number between 1500 and 3000. [30] Despite
promoting non-violence, members of Ben Israel's movement have shown a willingness
to engage in criminal activity. For example, in 1986, Ben Israel and his top
aide, Prince Asiel Ben Israel, were convicted of trafficking stolen passports
and securities and forging checks and savings bonds. [31]
BHI in Israel are generally peaceful, if somewhat controversial. The FBI has
no information to indicate that Ben Israel's BHI community in Israel is planning
any activity - terrorist, criminal, or otherwise - inspired by the coming
millennium. Ben Israel's claims to legitimate Judaism have at times caused
consternation to the Israeli government. BHI adherents in Israel have apparently
espoused anti-Semitic remarks, labeling Israeli Jews as "imposters."
[32] Neither the Israeli government nor the Orthodox rabbinate recognize the
legitimacy of BHI claims to Judaism. According to Jewish law, an individual
can be recognized as Jewish if he/she was born to a Jewish mother or if the
individual agrees to convert to Judaism. [33] At present, BHI in Israel have
legal status as temporary residents, which gives them the right to work and
live in Israel, but not to vote. They are not considered to be Israeli citizens.
While BHI claims to Judaism are disregarded by Israeli officials and religious
leaders, the BHI community is tolerated and appears to be peaceful. [34]
While the BHI community in Israel is peaceful, BHI adherents in the United
States became associated with violence thanks to the rise of the NOY, which
reached the height of its popularity in the 1980s. The NOY was founded in
1979 and led by Yahweh Ben Yahweh. Ben Yahweh's followers viewed him as the
Messiah, and therefore demonstrated unrequited and unquestioned obedience.
Members of the organization engaged in numerous acts of violence in the 1980s,
including several homicides, following direct orders from Ben Yahweh. Seventeen
NOY members were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami in 1990-91 on charges
of RICO, RICO conspiracy, and various racketeering acts. Various members were
convicted on RICO conspiracy charges and remain imprisoned.
While the overwhelming majority of BHI followers are unlikely to engage in
violence, there are elements of this movement with both the motivation and
the capability to engage in millennial violence. Some radical BHI adherents
are clearly motivated by the conviction that the approach of the year 2000
brings society ever closer to a violent confrontation between blacks and whites.
While the rhetoric professed by various BHI groups is fiery and threatening,
there are no indications of explicitly identified targets for violence, beyond
a general condemnation and demonization of whites and "imposter"
Jews. Militant BHI groups tend to distrust the United States government; however,
there are no specific indications of imminent violence toward the government.
VII. APOCALYPTIC CULTS
For apocalyptic cults, especially biblically based ones, the millennium is
viewed as the time that will signal a major transformation for the world.
Many apocalyptic cults share the belief that the battle against Satan, as
prophesied in the Book of Revelation, will begin in the years surrounding
the millennium and that the federal government is an arm of Satan. Therefore,
the millennium will bring about a battle between cult members --- religious
martyrs --- and the government.
In the broadest meaning, cults are composed of individuals who demonstrate
"great devotion to a person, idea, object or movement." [35] However,
using that definition, many domestic terrorist groups could be characterized
as cults, including Christian Identity churches, Black Hebrew Israelites,
and some militias. For law enforcement purposes, a narrower interpretation
of groups that qualify as cults is needed. A more useful definition of cults
incorporates the term "cultic relationships" to describe the interactions
within a cult. [36] Specifically, a cultic relationship refers to "one
in which a person intentionally induces others to become totally or nearly
totally dependent on him or her for almost all major life decisions, and inculcates
in these followers a belief that he or she has some special talent, gift,
or knowledge." [37] This definition of cults provides important distinctions
that are vital for analyzing a cult's predilection towards violence.
The origin of the cult, the role of its leader, and its uniqueness provide
a framework for understanding what distinguishes cults from other domestic
terrorist groups that otherwise share many similar characteristics. These
distinctions are: (1) cult leaders are self-appointed, persuasive persons
who claim to have a special mission in life or have special knowledge; (2)
a cult's ideas and dogma claim to be innovative and exclusive; and (3) cult
leaders focus their members' love, devotion and allegiance on themselves.
[38] These characteristics culminate in a group structure that is frequently
highly authoritarian in structure. Such a structure is a sharp contrast to
the rapidly emerging trend among domestic terrorist groups towards a leaderless,
non-authoritarian structure.
While predicting violence is extremely difficult and imprecise, there are
certain characteristics that make some cults more prone to violence. Law enforcement
officials should be aware of the following factors:
· Sequestered Groups: Members of sequestered groups lose access to
the outside world and information preventing critical evaluation of the ideas
being espoused by the leader.
· Leader's History: The fantasies, dreams, plans, and ideas of the
leader are most likely to become the beliefs of the followers because of the
totalitarian and authoritarian nature of cults.
· Psychopaths: Control of a group by charismatic psychopaths or those
with narcissistic character disorders.
· Changes in the Leader: Changes in a leader's personality caused by
traumatic events such as death of a spouse or sickness.
· Language of the Ideology: Groups that are violent use language in
their ideology that contains the seeds of violence.
· Implied Directive for Violence: Most frequently, a leader's speeches,
rhetoric, and language does not explicitly call for violence, rather it is
most often only implied.
· Length of Time: The longer the leader's behavior has gone unchecked
against outside authority, the less vulnerable the leader feels.
· Who Is in the Inner Circle: Cults with violent tendencies often recruit
people who are either familiar with weapons or who have military backgrounds
to serve as enforcers.
Apocalyptic cults see their mission in two general ways: They either want
to accelerate the end of time or take action to ensure that they survive the
millennium. For example, Aum Shinrikyo wanted to take action to hasten the
end of the world, while compounds in general are built to survive the endtime
safely. An analysis of millennial cults by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit
describes how rhetoric changes depending on whether the leader's ideology
envisions the group as playing an active role in the coming Apocalypse or
a passive survivalist role:
A cult that predicts that "God will punish" or "evil will be
punished" indicates a more passive and less threatening posture than
the cult that predicts that "God's chosen people will punish . . ."
As another example, the members of a passive group might predict that God
or another being will one day liberate their souls from their bodies or come
to carry them away. The followers of a more action-oriented group would, in
contrast, predict that they themselves will one day shed their mortal bodies
or transport themselves to another place. [39]
A cult that displays these characteristics may then produce three social-psychological
components, referred to as the "Lethal Triad," that predispose a
cult towards violence aimed at its members and/or outsiders. [40] Cults in
which members are heavily dependent on the leader for all decision making
almost always physically and psychologically isolate their members from outsiders,
the first component of the triad. [41] The other two components interact in
the following way:
"... isolation causes a reduction of critical thinking on the part of
group members who become entrenched in the belief proposed by the group leadership.
As a result, group members relinquish all responsibility for group decision
making to their leader and blame the cause of all group grievances on some
outside entity or force, a process known as projection. Finally, isolation
and projection combine to produce pathological anger, the final component
of the triad." [42]
Of the nearly 1000 cults operating in the United States, very few present
credible threats for millennial violence. Law enforcement officials should
concentrate on those cults that advocate force or violence to achieve their
goals concerning the endtime, as well as those cults which possess a substantial
number of the distinguishing traits listed above. [43] In particular, cults
of greatest concern to law enforcement are those that: (1) believe they play
a special, elite role in the endtime; (2) believe violent offensive action
is needed to fulfill their endtime prophecy; (3) take steps to attain their
beliefs. Those factors may culminate in plans to initiate conflict with outsiders
or law enforcement.
The violent tendencies of dangerous cults can be classified into two general
categories-- defensive violence and offensive violence. Defensive violence
is utilized by cults to defend a compound or enclave that was created specifically
to eliminate most contact with the dominant culture. [44] The 1993 clash in
Waco, Texas at the Branch Davidian complex is an illustration of such defensive
violence. History has shown that groups that seek to withdraw from the dominant
culture seldom act on their beliefs that the endtime has come unless provoked.
[45]
Cults with an apocalyptic agenda, particularly those that appear ready to
initiate rather than anticipate violent confrontations to bring about Armageddon
or fulfill "prophesy" present unique challenges to law enforcement
officials. One example of this type of group is the Concerned Christians (CC).
Monte Kim Miller, the CC leader, claims to be one of the two witnesses or
prophets described in the Book of Revelation who will die on the streets of
Jerusalem prior to the second coming of Christ. To attain that result, members
of the CC traveled to Israel in 1998 in the belief that Miller will be killed
in a violent confrontation in the streets of Jerusalem in December 1999. CC
members believe that Miller's death will set off an apocalyptic end to the
millennium, at which time all of Miller's followers will be sent to Heaven.
Miller has convinced his followers that America is "Babylon the Great"
referred to in the Book of Revelation. In early October 1998, CC members suddenly
vanished from the United States, an apparent response to one of Miller's "prophesies"
that Denver would be destroyed on October 10, 1998. In January 1999, fourteen
members of the group who had moved to Jerusalem were deported by the Israeli
government on the grounds that they were preparing to hasten the fulfillment
of Miller's prophecies by instigating violence. [46]
Ascertaining the intentions of such cults is a daunting endeavor, particularly
since the agenda or plan of a cult is often at the whim of its leader. Law
enforcement personnel should become well acquainted with the previously mentioned
indicators of potential cult violence in order to separate the violent from
the non-violent.
VIII. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEM
The city of Jerusalem, cherished by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, faces
many serious challenges as the year 2000 approaches. As already evidenced
by the deportation of various members of the religious cult known as the Concerned
Christians, zealotry from all three major monotheistic religions is particularly
acute in Israel, where holy shrines, temples, churches, and mosques are located.
While events surrounding the millennium in Jerusalem are much more problematic
for the Israeli government than for the United States, the potential for violent
acts in Jerusalem will cause reverberations around the world, including the
United States. The extreme terrorist fringes of Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam are all present in the United States. Thus, millennial violence in Jerusalem
could conceivably lead to violence in the United States as well.
Within Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, or Haram al-Sharif, holds a special significance
for both Muslims and Jews. [47] The Temple Mount houses the third holiest
of all Islamic sites, the Dome of the Rock. Muslims believe that the prophet
Muhammad ascended to Heaven from a slab of stone -- the "Rock of Foundation"--
located in the center of what is now the Dome of the Rock. In addition, when
Arab armies conquered Jerusalem in 638 A.D., the Caliph Omar built the al-Aqsa
Mosque facing the Dome of the Rock on the opposite end of the Temple Mount.
The Western (or Wailing) Wall, the last remnant of the second Jewish temple
that the Romans destroyed in 70 A.D., stands at the western base of the Temple
Mount. The Western Wall has long been a favorite pilgrimage site for Jews,
and religious men and women pray there on a daily basis. Thus, the Temple
Mount is equally revered by Jews as the site upon which the first and second
Jewish Temples stood.
Israeli officials are extremely concerned that the Temple Mount, an area already
seething with tension and distrust among Jews and Muslims, will be the stage
for violent encounters between religious zealots. Most troubling is the fact
that an act of terrorism need not be the catalyst that sparks widespread violence.
Indeed, a simple symbolic act of desecration, or even perceived desecration,
of any of the holy sites on the Temple Mount is likely to trigger a violent
reaction. For example, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is expected to coincide
with the arrival of the year 2000. Thus, even minor provocations on or near
the Temple Mount may provide the impetus for a violent confrontation.
The implications of pilgrimages to Jerusalem by vast numbers of tourists are
ominous, particularly since such pilgrimages are likely to include millennial
or apocalyptic cults on a mission to hasten the arrival of the Messiah. There
is general concern among Israeli officials that Jewish and Islamic extremists
may react violently to the influx of Christians, particularly near the Temple
Mount. The primary concern is that extreme millennial cults will engage in
proactive violence designed to hasten the second coming of Christ. Perhaps
the most likely scenario involves an attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome
of the Rock. Some millennial cults hold that these structures must be destroyed
so that the Jewish Temple can be rebuilt, which they see as a prerequisite
for the return of the Messiah. Additionally, several religious cults have
already made inroads into Israel, apparently in preparation for what they
believe to be the endtimes.
It is beyond the scope of this document to assess the potential repercussions
from an attack on Jewish or Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. It goes without
saying, however, that an attack on the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque
would have serious implications. In segments of the Islamic world, close political
and cultural ties between Israel and the United States are often perceived
as symbolic of anti-Islamic policies by the Western world. Attacks on Islamic
holy sites in Jerusalem, particularly by Christian or Jewish extremists, are
likely to be perceived by Islamic extremists as attacks on Islam itself. Finally,
the possibility exists that Islamic extremist groups will capitalize upon
the huge influx of foreigners into Jerusalem and engage in a symbolic attack.
IX. CONCLUSION
Extremists from various ideological perspectives attach significance to the
arrival of the year 2000, and there are some signs of preparations for violence.
The significance of the new millennium is based primarily upon either religious
beliefs relating to the Apocalypse/Armageddon, or political beliefs relating
to the New World Order conspiracy theory. The challenge to law enforcement
is to understand these extremist theories and, if any incidents do occur,
be prepared to respond to the unique crises they will represent.
Law enforcement officials should be particularly aware that the new millennium
may increase the odds that extremists may engage in proactive violence specifically
targeting law enforcement officers. Religiously motivated extremists may initiate
violent conflicts with law enforcement officials in an attempt to facilitate
the onset of Armageddon, or to help fulfill a "prophesy." For many
on the extreme right-wing, the battle of Armageddon is interpreted as a race
war to be fought between Aryans and the "satanic" Jews and their
allies. Likewise, extremists who are convinced that the millennium will lead
to a One World Government may choose to engage in violence to prevent such
a situation from occurring. In either case, extremists motivated by the millennium
could choose martyrdom when approached or confronted by law enforcement officers.
Thus, law enforcement officials should be alert for the following: 1) plans
to initiate conflict with law enforcement; 2) the potential increase in the
number of extremists willing to become martyrs; and 3) the potential for a
quicker escalation of conflict during routine law enforcement activities (e.g.
traffic stops, issuance of warrants, etc.).
19. There were 12 tribes of Israel but they were divided into two different
kingdoms after the death of King Solomon. The northern kingdom was called
"Israel" and consisted of ten tribes and the southern kingdom was
called "Judah" and was comprised of two tribes. There is a record
of the two tribes making up the southern kingdom, but the ten northern tribes
were "lost" after they were conquered around 722 BC by the Assyrians.
[back]
20. Jeffrey Kaplan, Radical Religion in America (Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse
University Press, 1997), p. 47-48.[back]
21. Michael Barkun, Religion and the Racist Right (Chapel Hill, N.C.: The
University of North Carolina Press, 1997), p. 60.[back]
22. Anti-Defamation League, Explosion of Hate, p 15.[back]
23. "U.S. Mulls Church Probe; Ties To Killings Investigated," Chicago
Tribune, July 9, 1999.[back]
24. "Behind the Hate," The Washington Post, July 6, 1999.[back]
25. Van Huizen lost re-election as commander of the MMCW in late 1997 to the
more radical Joe Pilchak.[back]
26. See "Militias- Initiating Contact," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,
July 1997, pp. 22-26.[back]
27. Accessed at www.eagleflt.com.[back]
28. See Fall 1997 edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence
Report, "Rough Waters: Stream of Knowledge Probed by Officials."
[back]
29. Linda Jones. "Claiming a Promised Land: African-American settlers
in Israel are guided by idea of independent Black Hebrew Society," The
Dallas Morning News, July 27, 1997.[back]
30. Ibid.[back]
31. See Fall 1997 Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report, "Rough
Waters: Stream of Knowledge Probed by Officials." [back]
32. Jones, Dallas Morning News, July 27, 1997.[back]
33. Ibid.[back]
34. Ibid. In fact, in the community of Dimona where the BHI community resides,
the Dimona Police Chief spoke in complimentary terms as to the group's discipline,
leadership, and integrity.[back]
35. Frederick C. Mish, ed., Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 10 th
Edition (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1997), p. 282.[back]
36. Margaret Thaler Singer and Janja Lalich, Cults in Our Midst: The Hidden
Menace in Our Everyday Lives (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1995),
p. 7.[back]
37. Singer and Lalich, p. 7.[back]
38. Singer and Lalich, pp.8-9.[back]
39. Carl J. Jensen, III, Rod Gregg and Adam Szubin, "When a Cult Comes
to Town," accessed from Law Enforcement Online.[back]
40. Kevin M. Gilmartin, "The Lethal Triad: Understanding the Nature of
Isolated Extremist Groups," accessed at www.leo.gov/tlib/leb/1996/sept961/txt.[back]
41. Carl J. Jensen, III and Yvonne Hsieh, "Law Enforcement and the Millennialist
Vision: A Behavioral Approach," accessed from Law Enforcement Online.[back]
42. Ibid.[back]
43. B.A. Robinson in "Factors Commonly Found in Doomsday Cults,"
(www.religioustolerance.org/cultsign.htm.) identifies traits that provide
a framework for analyzing cults. They include the following: (1) The leader
preaches end of the world/Armageddon in 2000 or within a reasonable time frame
before and after 2000; (2) the cult expects to play a major, elite role at
the end time; (3) the cult has large numbers of firearms, explosives or weapons
of mass destruction; (4) the cult has prepared defensive structures; (5) the
cult speaks of offensive action; (4) the cult is led by a single male charismatic
leader; (5) the leader dominates the membership through physical, sexual and
emotional control; (6) the cult is not an established denomination; (7) cult
members live together in a community isolated from society; (8) extreme paranoia
exists within the cult concerning monitoring by outsiders and government persecution;
(9) and outsiders are distrusted, and disliked. These factors are designed
to leave out cults that have unique end-time beliefs, but whose ideology does
not include the advocacy of force or violence.[back]
44. Jeffrey Kaplan, Radical Religion in America, p.57.[back]
45. Ibid., p.165.[back]
46. Lisa Beyer, "Target: Jerusalem," Time Magazine, January 18,
1999.[back]
47. Arabs refer to this site as Haram al-Sharif, which is Arabic for "Noble
Sanctuary." Israelis refer to it as Har HaBayit, which is Hebrew for
"Temple Mount." American news organizations almost always refer
to it as the Temple Mount. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity and continuity,
the term Temple Mount will be used in this report when referring to this section
of Jerusalem.[back]
(Author - The above information came from website - http://www.cesnur.org/. As from September 2001 when we last visited the link, we discovered that the website and hence, the above information, is now inaccessible.)
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