Exhaustive Study Notes on Modern Religious Movements and Conflict

Recreating Forgotten Religions and Modern Examples

Concept of Lost Religions: There was a point in time before Christianity dominated the globe. Forgotten religions are now being recreated to some degree.
Pop Culture Connection: The Marvel Cinematic Universe serves as an example of this recreation, specifically through the depiction of Norse gods and related mythological themes.
Scrutiny and Identity: New religious movements often face scrutiny from society. When they feel pressured, they tend to "circle the wagons" and claim their truth is the best on the market. They often interpret this scrutiny as persecution, which they then use as evidence that they are "chosen people."

The Baha'i Faith

Geographic Origins: Although it is often unknown to the public, the Baha'i faith started in Iran.
The Baha'i Temple:
* Location: A major temple is located near Evanston/Wilmette, Illinois, off Interstate 94. The professor notes it is near the "Home Alone house."
* Architecture: The building's aesthetic is described as unconventional for an American architect, reflecting its Middle Eastern origins.
Core Principles: The religion promotes peace.
Personal Anecdote: The professor shared an experience renting an Airbnb from a Baha'i person, noting that while the person was "angling" (perhaps proselytizing or promoting the faith), the experience was peaceful.
Resources: The religion is noted for having significant resources and building picturesque structures.

The Peoples Temple and the Jonestown Tragedy

Historical Context: Founded by Jim Jones in the 1970s as the "Peoples Temple."
Jim Jones' Background:
    * He was a Christian minister with charismatic qualities.
    * He was a vocal advocate for civil rights and led a multiracial congregation.
    * Interracial Ministry: Jones was deeply influenced by Father Divine, whose version of Christianity was strictly interracial.
    * Pentecostal Roots: Jones' focus on interracial worship was derived from Pentecostalism, which traces its origins to the Azusa Street Revival in California around 1905–1906.
The Utopia in Guyana:
    * Jones moved nearly 1,000 followers to a remote jungle in Guyana, South America.
    * Ideology: While journalists often describe it as a "socialist utopia," the professor argues that Jones did not explicitly self-identify as a socialist in the traditional sense; rather, he believed he was creating a multiracial "heaven on earth."
    * Conditions: Former member Leslie Wagner Wilson reported that followers were overworked, underfed, and that Jones became increasingly paranoid.
Mass Suicide/Murder (November 1978):
    * The Poison Test: Jones previously conducted "tests" where followers drank fruit punch he claimed was poison, only to tell them it was a test after they consumed it.
    * Congressman Leo Ryan: Traveled to Guyana with an NBC News crew (including Joe Fryer, Don Harris, and Bob Brown) to investigate.
    * The Airstrip Shooting: Jones ordered gunmen to fire on the departing group. Five people were killed, including Congressman Ryan and journalists. Future Congresswoman Jackie Speer was an aide who escaped.
    * The Final Sermon: Jones served punch spiked with cyanide. Over 900 people died, including 300 children.
    * Evidence of Murder: Autopsies revealed a considerable number of people did not drink the poison voluntarily but were forcibly injected.
    * Survival Stories: Leslie Wagner Wilson and her three-year-old child escaped by hiking 30 miles through the jungle. Jim Jones Jr. (Jones' adopted son) survived because he was in Georgetown, the capital, for public relations work.
Legacy: A memorial exists in Oakland for the victims, who were predominantly African American and elderly.

The Waco Siege and the Branch Davidians

Origins: The Branch Davidians are a Christian sect and an offshoot of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Leadership History:
    * Established by Victor Houtef, who moved followers to the Mount Carmel Center near Waco, Texas, in 1935.
    * They practice a literal interpretation of biblical prophecies regarding the Day of Judgment.
    * David Koresh: A charismatic Bible teacher who took over in 1990. He claimed to be a prophet appointed to bring about the end of the world.
    * Controversies: Koresh practiced polygamy (including underage wives) and stockpiled weapons for the apocalypse.
The 1993 Standoff:
    * Initial Raid (February 28, 1993): The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) attempted to execute search and arrest warrants. Gunfire killed four ATF agents and six Davidians.
    * 51-Day Siege: The FBI took over, involving nearly 900 law enforcement personnel. They used psychological tactics, including sleep deprivation via loud music and spotlights.
    * The Final Raid (April 19, 1993): Authorized by Attorney General Janet Reno. Tanks injected 400 canisters of tear gas into the compound. A fire broke out, killing approximately 80 Davidians, including Koresh and 25 children.
Aftermath and Impact:
    * Independent counsel John Danforth later concluded agents were not responsible for the fire, blaming Koresh's followers for a suicide pact.
    * Political Radicalization: The event fueled right-wing extremist groups and patriot militias who saw it as government overreach.
    * Timothy McVeigh: A disgruntled veteran radicalized by Waco who bombed the Oklahoma City federal building exactly two years later (April 19, 1995).

Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Founding: Joseph Smith discovered golden plates in a forest in Upstate New York, supposedly delivered by the angel Moroni.
Historical Movement: Smith was driven out of multiple states and was eventually killed in a jail on the border of Illinois and Missouri.
Key Leaders: Joseph B. Rutherford and Brigham Young are credited with shaping the theology and institutional structure recognized today.
Modern Mainstreaming:
* 2012 Election: Mitt Romney ran for President. The professor notes that exit polls suggested Christians generally did not withhold votes because of his faith.
* Ad Campaign: The church ran an extensive "We're Christians too" campaign to reposition their image among evangelical Christians.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Founding and Prophecy:
* William Miller: Predicted the exact date of Jesus' return. When it failed to happen twice (the second time he claimed it was a "mystical experience"), it led to various offshoots.
* Charles Taze Russell: Revered as the official founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Practices and Characteristics:
    * Literature: Known for the Watchtower and Awake magazines, though their physical distribution has slowed due to the internet.
    * Kingdom Halls: Their places of worship typically lack windows (historically to avoid outside distractions, though building codes have restricted this).
    * Medical/Social Stance: They refuse blood transfusions (based on an interpretation of the Book of Daniel) and do not celebrate birthdays or national holidays (e.g., July 4th).
Contribution to Religious Freedom: The group has frequently gone to court to secure rights, such as the right not to stand for the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance. They are also responsible for the presence of Gideon Bibles in hotels.

Class Discussion: Religion and Violence (Cheyanne’s RMR)

Core Argument: The relationship between religion and violence is complex and often misunderstood.
The Myth of Religious Violence: Reference is made to the book by William Cavanaugh (a professor at DePaul). The argument is that religion is often used as a justification for violence rather than being the direct cause.
Intersectionality: Conflicts labeled as "religious" are usually inextricably linked to politics, land, power, and socio-economic motives.
Historical Lessons:
* Christopher Columbus: Used his Catholic identity to justify the colonization and violence against indigenous peoples because they did not fit his definition of Christian.
* Core Teachings: Most major religions technically preach peace (Islam: peace/submission; Christianity: love thy neighbor; Judaism: justice/moral law).

Questions & Discussion

Student Question (Gary): "What are the main reasons they [the government] did that [at Waco]? Because they were suspected of stockpiling [weapons]?"
* Response: The professor confirms they were stockpiling weapons, but notes that "Second Amendment enthusiasts" view the government's intervention as illegal overreach.
Student Observation (Amanda): Shared that seeking a parking spot at a Kingdom Hall resulted in the gates being shut the next day, indicating a high level of privacy/secrecy.
Student Observation (Gary): Mentioned that people might use religion as a manipulation tool, citing how a President might declare a war for religious reasons to gain Christian support.
Student Question (Trey): Asked about the responsibility of schools in teaching conflicts like the Crusades.
* Response: The professor emphasizes the importance of sharing truth and factual knowledge irrespective of personal ideology.
Discussion on Blood Transfusions: A student mentioned it seems extreme to die rather than get a transfusion. The professor shared a tragic anecdote about a girl his daughter played with who died because her Baha'i-turned-Jehovah's Witness family refused a transfusion after she was hit by a truck. (Note: The transcript clarifies the family was Jehovah's Witness).