
By: R. Murray-o'hair
Re: OK Blast/Millennial C 01/

OKLAHOMA BOMBING -- OMEN OF MILLENNIAL COUNTDOWN?

Some Suggest that the Oklahoma Tragedy and Other Events Foreshadow
Apocalyptic Cultism and Violence.


   The possibility that two suspects linked to the bombing of the
Oklahoma City federal building had ties with "militia"-style
survivalists has quickly fielded speculation about religious cults and
other extreme groups anticipating the end of the world.

   You could term it "millennialist fever" -- the expected anxiety,
uneasiness and some say religious outbursts that may take place as we
approach the year 2000.  Some religious fundamentalists believe that
this change in the calendar will witness the return of Jesus Christ,
amidst a worldwide battle between the forces of good and evil.  Some New
Agers expect a "paradigm shift," the arrival of aliens in flying saucers,
or a sudden evolution in human existence.  Others are predicting
everything from worldwide famine to an ecological catastrophe.

   Immediately following the Oklahoma City explosion, theories about the
possible individuals behind the blast focused primarily on Middle
Eastern Islamic fundamentalists, or on followers of David Koresh.
Koresh, who, claiming to be the son of a god, established a cult compound
in Waco Texas where he and 80 of his Branch Davidian followers perished
in a violent shootout in 1993 with government agents.  Subsequent
investigations uncovered confusion and misconduct by Federal authorities;
many believe that the confrontation could have been avoided. Koresh,
however, believed that the end of the world was near, that he would
survive and return to the world as a messiah.  Today, there are still
followers of David Koresh, although have not been tied to any violence,
including the Oklahoma City blast.

   And there was the bizarre Luc Jouret, head of the Order of the Solar
Temple  in Switzerland and Canada.  Fifty-three of his followers
perished in some kind of murder/suicide plot.  Jouret, too, preached the
immanent end of the world.

   Numerous other groups ranging from religious cults to political
extremist movements believe that soon, there will be a "final reckoning"
between them and the forces of evil.  On Friday, April 21, Reuters News
Service quoted the head of the London-based Cult Information Center as
suggesting that some groups may try to precipitate events which fulfil
predictions that the end is near.  "They may see themselves under threat
from the world," suggested Michelle Gosling, "Or they may bring about a
catastrophe to focus peoples' attention on what they see as the truth."

   Last month's Sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway system, which
killed 11 persons and injured thousands more, has been linked to another
"doomsday" cult, the Aum Shinrikyo sect.  The group's leader, Shoko
Asahara, has predicted the end of the world by 1997. In order to
survive, the cult established dozens of fortified sites, complete with
chemical stockpiles, money, and even formed a "shadow government" to take
over after the collapse of society.

   Although the beginning of the first millennium -- what we term the
year 1,000 A.D. -- did not see widespread hysteria, history is repleat
with movements predicting the end of the world.  Many have been
religious, and focused on the Book of Revelation in the New Testament,
which supposedly foretells a cataclysmic battle, the return of the
messiah, and the defeat of Satan.  Christian fundamentalists are split
into various "camps" regarding exactly how this scenario is to be played
out.  Some believe that the "righteous" will be raptured or taken up into
heaven as a sign of the "end times."

   Others believe that there will be a prolonged time of "tribulation,"
where the followers of god will be persecuted and oppressed as the
Antichrist establishes his false kingdom on earth.

   Some apocalyptic right-wing movements actively prepare for this time
of tribulation by stockpiling food stores, weapons, explosives and other
medicines.  Members believe that some large-scale confrontation is soon
to happen; their scenarios often involve attacks against a "Jewish
dominated" government, communists, blacks and other elements.

   The possible tie between the two men wanted in the Oklahoma City
bombing and a "militia" movement group has fueled speculation that there
is an apocalyptic or racial element at work in this event.

   Especially in times of social uncertainty, economic dislocations and
other stresses, simplistic religious or political explanations of the
world take on a substantial appeal to many individuals.  Those
participating in millennialist cults or apocalyptic religious/political
movements often receive the psychological benefits of seeing themselves
as "agents of history," doing the will of a god in a struggle against
evil.  There can often be intense and unhealthy bonding within the group,
a sense of "belonging" as one's notion of self is subsumed on behalf of a
charismatic leader or cause.  Jim Jones, for example, had a widespread
following, including the 913 individuals who drank cyanide-laced Kool Aid
in 1978.

   One unsuspected outcome of the Oklahoma City tragedy may be to focus
more public attention on these "doomsday" political and religious
movements.  If there is a link, we may have more to fear from homegrown
(Continued to next message)

[...incomplete...]
