What do you feel about David Koresh?

Question

Does he represent Christianity in the eyes of some (not mine, for the record)? What do you think of what this says?

"Extremist groups who claim to follow Islam are no more representative of Islam than David Koresh is of Christianity"

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/a/jab63/islam.facts.html

Answer 1

A an example of an extremist who uses religion for their own purposes. Just like Jim Jones and the people of Heavens Gate.

Answer 2

He was wrong about the way he went about most everything.

He does not represent Christianity.

I do feel the situation with him was blown out or proportion.
I recently saw an interview with the sheriff from the his county. He said he knew Koresh for many years and that he NEVER broke any laws. The sheriff said the relationships with the young girls were not illegal in Texas with parental consent. He said they could get married at that age. The biggest problem would be if the girls were raped against their will. I don't know if they were. But there was definitely some very brainwashed people who would allow their daughters and wives to participate in such a thing.

As far a the stock pile of weapons. The sheriff said they were not stockpiling but they were legal license gun dealers, they had a large "inventory". I did hear they had modified some guns to illegal machine guns. That would be wrong according to current law. They would need a license for those types of guns.

His group were deceived. He was deceived. They paid a price for it. I don't feel what happened was right, the FBI and ATF had many chances to get him peacefully days before but they tipped off the media because they wanted to make him an example. That's why there was news coverage of the first raid on the compound.

They were Americans and they had the right to their religious beliefs. If no laws were broken (according to the sheriff) why were they all killed.

I have known a few Muslims and they were very peaceful people. It does seem to be there are more extreme Muslim groups who will do violent things in the name of their religion. It is those people who make it bad for the rest.

Answer 3

I can say a few positive things and a few negative things about the comparison -

1. I agree that people should be seen as individuals.
2. I agree that fanatics are not necessarily indicative of the entire group to which they belong.

However, David Koresh never ran a country. There are fanatics in Islam that are running violent and dangerous COUNTRIES. Do I think that reflects on you? No, it reflects on religion in my eyes - but not on you as a person.

Christianity at one time was very similar to these fanatical regimes - The Crusades, the Inquisition, oppression of women, outlawing freedom of religion, etc. - and since then, Christianity has thankfully changed.

Doesn't mean the Christian religion makes any more sense to me, nor does it mean that I feel no threat as an atheist from Christianity. But I do feel less threat at the moment from Christianity as compared to Islam. Again, not from *you* but from the countries that are run by the strict interpretation of the same religion you believe in.

Hopefully, Islam will undergo similar changes very soon, and the countries that are governed by religion will be more free for their own people and more tolerant for others.

My personal philosophy is that anytime a population of people indulges in the unevidenced beliefs, there is potential for violence and destruction. That's why I think rational thinking and skepticism is best.

However, anyone who can have their beliefs and remain civil is cool with me. I will continue to see you as you, and no one else. But I do think that it's time for Muslims like yourself to be the ones with the *strongest* voice against the Muslims who are making your religion look bad. I realize many of you are speaking out, but in many cases, you are still in the minority on that score.

Answer 4

David Koresh in NO way represents Christianity to me.

Answer 5

I don't "feel" anything about him.

I know he was one of the many false prophets Jesus warned us not to listen to.

Here is a list of some of the better know false prophets which Jesus warned us to avoid:

Mohammed, Jospeh Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen G. White, Jim Jones, David Koresh, Warren Jeffs, Judge Rutherford, Charles Taze Russell, Arnold Murray and Michael Rood, the last two are currently on TV at least weekly.

Answer 6

David Koresh did NOT represent true Christianity. True Christianity should bring one into a closer relationship with God -- proved by our relationship with others:

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (MT 25:27-30).

Amassing weapons in a barricaded compound is not true Christianity.

Neither was the Reverend Jim Jones representative of true Christinaity when he convinced 909 people to "drink to their death" in Guyana.

Blowing people up is not true Islam....the Muslims I know are very peaceable.

It is almost always the extremists -- right wing -- who do not know when to stop.

But as long as these communities of faith do not have a final authority to do the interpreting of Scripture or of the Qur'An, there will always be multitudes of factions -- each wanting to live by their own authority...and, in some cases, to impose it on others. Religion itself is not the problem.

Answer 7

It is understandable that a few can often missrepresent an entire group of peoples who are gathered around and practice a particular belief. The question is....what do the genuine followers of said belief really teach in private gatherings and what do they practice in society as representative of their convictions...

Just asking: Does the Koran,teach a similar thought as declared by Jesus Christ?

Ye have heard that it has been said, You shall love
your neighbour, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Christians do not agree as to the nature and person of God, as those of the Muslim faith,however, I can sympathise with the frustration of those who do not wish to be seen in the same light as those who are considered to be false representatives.

David Koresh was a false self proclaimed Messiah,akin to Jim Jones of the "People's Temple", as well as others who have come and gone. We have not seen the last of those who will undoubtedly follow in their footsteps.

Answer 8

I think he started out good, but lost it somewhere. He did know scripture, and the people who survived (not many), still believe his words today.
There is not doubt he turned in to a fruitcake, but it did not justify the Government to do what they did.
The Branch Davidian's DID NOT kill themselves. They were trying to make fire bombs to throw at the tanks. The fuel was knocked over, the building collapsed, and the rest is history.
an on purpose 'accident'? I think so.
Notice that when the Waco fiasco started, many Christians were against the government actions, but were all one voice in saying the Branch Davidians were a cult, and were not part of mainstream Christianity.
The problem with Islam, is that they WONT sell their radical elements down the river. they either wont say anything, hide them in their basement, or openly support them
That is what the difference is between Christianity and Islam.

Answer 9

David Koresh is a perfect example of an anti-Christ. He used to believe he was Christ on earth.
He distorted the scriptures to serve his purpose.
Koresh grew up a Seventh Day Adventist. Later on, as he grew up, he started to believe that he was God.
1John 2:19 says "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they made manifest that they were not all of us"
Koresh was excommunicated from the church, unfortunately, he took with him many young people as well as people new to the faith
"But there will be false prophets even among the people, even as there shall be false prophets among you...And many shall follow their way; by reason of whom their way of truth shall be evil spoken of...There will be false teachers among you, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves destruction" 2Peter 2:1-10
What a sad ending to a group of people who could have been saved.

Answer 10

Unfortunately I regard Koresh, Jones and all the other wacko cult leaders as part and parcel of Christianity. If it was not for the thinking patterns promoted by religions these extremists and death cults all over the world would be uinable to flourish like they do.
This applies to Islam, Judaism, Buddhists and Hindus too.
Sorry if I sound a bit harsh.
Religions do evil things.