The man who would be God

by CA Schneider " I f the Bible is true, then I’m Christ.’’ This message began David Koresh’s ministry. David Koresh, high school dropout, musician, polygamist and preacher has drawn over 100 people to the heavily armed fortress near Waco, Texas. Koresh and his followers are now waging a battle against unbe- lievers, and they are willing to die for their cause.

This battle was brought closer after more than 100 agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempted to raid their compound on February 28. An hour later when the guns finally fell quiet, 4 agents were dead, and 16 wounded; while inside the compound 10 cult members were reported dead (including a two year old daughter of Koresh’s own brood).

Now three weeks later, Koresh is still holed up with approximately 80 adults and his own children. He claims to have been injured, yet when he struck a deal with the forces, he seemed remarkably healthy. The deal wasif Koresh was allowed to air his end-of-the-world message on nation-wide radio that he and his followers would surrender. The rambling 58 minute ad- dress was broadcast on Christian radio stations across the U.S. but he reneged saying he was still awaiting ‘‘further instructions from God’’. The group seems prepared to wait until these instructions come through. They have stock- piled enough food and water to last several months, and their capacity to produce electric- ity is unknown, so this stand off could last for awhile.

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What is it about David Koresh that makes his followers so loyal? Koresh isn’t educated (he dropped out of grade 9), he isn’t handsome, but he has charisma. It is this power over people that allowed him to proclaim that ‘‘all women in the world belong to him and only he has the right to procreate’’. Marc Breault, a former member of the group, says Koresh declared just this in 1988-89. This allowed Koresh to practice the polygamy everyone has heard about. He has over 12 wives ranging in age from 11 years up. These wives live in a special dormitory, where he has free access to them and his children. Although TV, meat, alcohol, sex and air condi- tioning is not permitted to cultmembers, Koresh indulges in these freely. He claims that “‘God believed it was necessary to send him down to be a sinful Jesus so that, when he stood in judgement of sinners on Judgement Day, he would have experience of all sin and degrada- tion.’’ There are also claims that Koresh has trained his followers in a very military way. They were physically prepared by weight train- ing, military drills and obstacle course runs. Repeated showings of Platoon, Full Metal jacket, and hamburger Hill were used to mentally pre- pare them for the killing.

With a group this well armed, well prepared and willing to go down for their leader, the stand off at Waco, Texas may be a long one. After only 3 weeks, there is still no end in sight, but there are concerns about mass suicide or worse. One can only hope that God gives further in- structions soon, one way or another. @

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Comment

Who do you think should replace Brian Mulroney as PM?

1. Do we have any real choice besides Tom Cochrane?!?!

-Pat Cavanagh

Economics III

2. Me, then I wouldn’t have to worry about paying back my student loan. -Brendan Hubley : Political Science II

3. I’dvote for Brendan and then he could pay my student loan and give me a gov- ernment job (minister of finance).

4. The Best of the Worst. Someone I haven’t heard of. I don’t want to know how corrupt one is.

- Rory O’Connor

Arts II

Pat Mella

continued from page 4

the leadership of the Liberal party she seems to have been handled too much. Ms. Callbeck has a great deal more experience than Ms. Mella but she has not made an effort to tell us what she intends to do if she is elected at the end of this month. Ms. Mella, on the other hand, has gone to great lengths to say what she supports and what she does not.

As we approach the election it becomes more and more apparent that things are not going to change. The Liberals seem to be ready to sweep to victory on the coattails of Joe Ghiz while the Conservatives and the NDP toil at even making small breakthroughs. The Island is in need of a change of government styles and it is a shame that neither Callbeck nor the voters seems interested in a new w.y of doing things.