FBI ASSESMENT FOR WAR ON CHURCH ALARMS CHRISTIANS
Anonymous
SCAN THIS NEWS
11.10.99
Forwarded from:
COALITION OF POLITICALLY ACTIVE
CHRISTIANS, INC. PAC
601 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. S BLDG. SUITE 9000
WASHINGTON D.C. 20004
co...@ifriendly.com
http://www.copac.org
CONTACT MARCIE SHUSS FOR INTERVIEWS WITH CHARLES
PHILLIPS CALL 800-474-5268
YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF?.
NO? NO THIS ISN'T FOXWORTHY; IT'S YOUR FBI'S VERSION?
Re:
Project Megiddo (32 pages Acrobat Reader needed)
http://www.fbi.gov/library/megiddo/publicmegiddo.pdf
Download the free Acrobat reader here
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
You Might be a Domestic terrorist if:
- You suddenly change activity; for example, less time
spent on bible study and more time on physical
training. page 6
- You believe in the battle against Satan, as prophesied
in the Book of Revelation. Page 7
- You believe in time prophecy. page 8
- You believe God will overcome Christianity's
enemies and the persecuted communities should
persevere. Page 9
- You believe property rights and private gun
ownership will be abolished. Page 11
- You believe in the New World Order. page 11
- You 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.
Page 11
No! I am not making this up? and it's not the joke it seems
to be. This is directly from the pages of the FBI PROJECT
MEGIDDO report, released confidentially to the Chiefs of
Police at their national convention Nov. 3rd.
This report does not distinguish a James Dobson, Billy
Graham or the Pope from the likes of Timothy McVeigh,
Buford O. Furrow and other mass murderers that also
believe in Bible prophecy.
Simply put, it vilifies all Bible believers, home schoolers, 2nd
Amendment rights advocates, freedom-loving Americans as
domestic terrorists.
These are the same people that brought you:
"We didn't set that fire that killed twenty four
children. (John, did you get that pyrotechnic
canister? Oh shoot?)"
"We didn't fire a shot at those people. (Oh Bill? Did
you pick up those shells? Oh shoot?)"
"We definitely didn't have sex. (She said what? Oh give
me a break?)"
You know? This would be hilarious if it weren't so serious.
How can our government define us God-fearing Americans
as domestic terrorists?
Charles Phillips
National Chairman
COPAC, INC. PAC
http://www.proactivenews.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
1
PROJECT MEGIDDO
Table of Contents:
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
II. INTRODUCTION 6
When Does the New Millennium Begin? 7
Blueprint for Action: The Turner Diaries 8
Interpretations of The Bible 8
Apocalyptic Religious Beliefs 10
The New World Order Conspiracy Theory and the 11
Year 2000 Computer Bug
Gun Control Laws 12
III. CHRISTIAN IDENTITY 14
IV. WHITE SUPREMACY 18
V. MILITIAS 21
VI. BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES 23
VII. APOCALYPTIC CULTS 26
VIII. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEM 30
IX. CONCLUSION 32
2
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 the discussions 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.
3
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 afragmented,
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
4
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.
5
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
6
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 a number 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.
7
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:
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.
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
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.
8
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.
9
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
10
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
take place: 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.
11
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
12
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.
13
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.
14
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
15
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
16
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.
17
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.
18
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
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
19
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.
20
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.
One example of this can be
21
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.
28 See Fall 1997 edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's
Intelligence Report, "Rough Waters: Stream of Knowledge Probed by
Officials."
22
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
23
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
24
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.
25
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:
26
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
27
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
28
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.
29
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
30
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.
31
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.).
____________
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.
2 Ibid, p. 3.
3 Ibid. p. 5.
4 Cliff Linedecker, Prophecies for the New Millennium (Lantana, FL:
Micromags, 1999), p. 3-4.
5 Charles Bosworth Jr., "Illinois Man Sought Start of Race War," St.
Louis Post-Dispatch, March 15, 1998.
6 Paul Duggan, "From Beloved Son to Murder Suspect," The Washington
Post, February 16, 1999.
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.
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.
9 All symbolism was taken from The Catholic Bible; New American Bible
10 Kerry Noble, Tabernacle of Hate: Why they Bombed Oklahoma City (
Prescott, Ontario, Canada: Voyageur Publishing, 1998).
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.
12 Evan Moore, "A House Divided: Tensions divide Abilene-area cult,"
The Houston Chronicle, March 24, 1996.
13 John K. Wiley, "Profile of attack suspect is familiar and
frightening," The Miami Herald, August 12, 1999.
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.
15 James P. Wickstrom, "Intelligence Update," October 1998, accessed
at www.posse~comitatus.org.
16 See Fall 1998 edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's
Intelligence Report, "Millennium Y2KAOS."
17 William Pierce, "The Millennium Bug and `Mainstreaming' the News,"
accessed at www.natvan.com.
18 Larry Pratt, "The United Nations: Pressing for U.S. Gun Control,"
accessed at www.gunowners.org
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.
20 Jeffrey Kaplan, Radical Religion in America (Syracuse, N.Y.:
Syracuse University Press, 1997), p. 47-48.
21 Michael Barkun, Religion and the Racist Right (Chapel Hill, N.C.:
The University of North Carolina Press, 1997), p. 60.
22 Anti-Defamation League, Explosion of Hate, p 15.
23 "U.S. Mulls Church Probe; Ties To Killings Investigated," Chicago
Tribune, July 9, 1999.
24 "Behind the Hate," The Washington Post, July 6, 1999.
25 Van Huizen lost re-election as commander of the MMCW in late 1997
to the more radical Joe Pilchak.
26 See "Militias- Initiating Contact," FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,
July 1997, pp. 22-26.
27 Accessed at www.eagleflt.com.
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.
30 Ibid.
31 See Fall 1997 Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report,
"Rough Waters: Stream of Knowledge Probed
by Officials."
32 Jones, Dallas Morning News, July 27, 1997.
33 Ibid.
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.
35 Frederick C. Mish, ed., Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 10
th Edition (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1997), p.
282.
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.
37 Singer and Lalich, p. 7.
38 Singer and Lalich, pp.8-9.
39 Carl J. Jensen, III, Rod Gregg and Adam Szubin, "When a Cult Comes
to Town," accessed from Law Enforcement Online.
40 Kevin M. Gilmartin, "The Lethal Triad: Understanding the Nature of
Isolated Extremist Groups," accessed at
www.leo.gov/tlib/leb/1996/sept961/txt.
41 Carl J. Jensen, III and Yvonne Hsieh, "Law Enforcement and the
Millennialist Vision: A Behavioral Approach," accessed from Law
Enforcement Online.
42 Ibid.
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.
44 Jeffrey Kaplan, Radical Religion in America, p.57.
45 Ibid., p.165.
46 Lisa Beyer, "Target: Jerusalem," Time Magazine, January 18, 1999.
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.