Branham Books Now Linked to Shakahola Massacre
Kenya's news media has now linked the teachings of William Marrion (Marvin) Branham to the Shakahola Massacre of Paul Mackenzie's Malindi Cult. While Mackenzie's cult had clearly used the books from Spoken Word Publications in Jeffersonville, Indiana for radicalization, it is also understood that Branham's "Message" cult of personality is splintered and in disarray.
Kenya's news media has now linked the teachings of William Marrion (Marvin) Branham to the Shakahola Massacre of Paul Mackenzie's Malindi Cult. While Mackenzie's cult had clearly used the books from Spoken Word Publications in Jeffersonville, Indiana for radicalization, it is also understood that Branham's "Message" cult of personality is splintered and in disarray.
Read the full article here:
https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740
Kenyan media have linked Mackenzie's ministry to the teachings of William Branham, an American doomsday cult preacher prominent in the 1940s and '50s. 'It is safe to say that they used Branham's books,' said Massimo Introvigne, founder of the Center for Studies on New Religions, in an email. However, he noted there is no unified Branham movement: 'It is a constellation of dozens of quarrelsome groups.' (Branham's teachings also influenced Jim Jones, leader of the infamous cult whose members committed mass murder-suicide at Jonestown in Guyana in 1978.)[1]
- World News Group
According to the report by World News Group, Kenya now recognizes the deadly consequences of false teaching.[2] Mackenzie radicalized members of his sect to believe Branham's[3] anti-establishment, anti-education, and anti-government doctrines, convincing the people that they were oppressed by the world around them. His followers took their children out of school, isolated, and eventually took their lives by starvation — starting with the children first.[4]
Mackenzie preached that formal education was satanic, prompting followers to drop out of school. He also dissuaded followers from seeking care at hospitals and asked women not to braid their hair or wear wigs and jewelry. In Shakahola, the starvation plan was for children to die first, before the women and men.
References
[1] Ohikere, Onize. Kenya's Suicide Cult. 2023, May, 20. Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun, 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740. "2023/20/05 Kenya's Suicide Cult Onize Ohikere Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740"
[2] Ohikere, Onize. Kenya's Suicide Cult. 2023, May, 20. Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun, 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740. "2023/20/05 Kenya's Suicide Cult Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740 The case has scandalized Kenya and thrown a global spotlight on the sometimes deadly consequences of distorted theological teaching. It has also prompted Kenyan church leaders to consider how to protect Christian believers from such doctrines Onize Ohikere Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740 The case has scandalized Kenya and thrown a global spotlight on the sometimes deadly consequences of distorted theological teaching. It has also prompted Kenyan church leaders to consider how to protect Christian believers from such doctrines."
[3] Branham, William. Leadership. 1965, Dec, 7. Leadership (65-1207). "1965/07/12 Leadership Oh, you see, it's this intellectual day that we're living in. Education, civilization, and the modern trend of the day, is all of the devil. "Civilization of the devil?" Yes, sir! The Bible said it is William Branham Oh, you see, it's this intellectual day that we're living in. Education, civilization, and the modern trend of the day, is all of the devil. "Civilization of the devil?" Yes, sir! The Bible said it is."
[4] Ohikere, Onize. Kenya's Suicide Cult. 2023, May, 20. Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun, 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740. "2023/20/05 Kenya's Suicide Cult Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740. Mackenzie preached that formal education was satanic, prompting followers to drop out of school. He also dissuaded followers from seeking care at hospitals and asked women not to braid their hair or wear wigs and jewelry. In Shakahola, the starvation plan was for children to die first, before the women and men Onize Ohikere Kenya's Suicide Cult. Accessed 2023, Jun 15 from https://wng.org/articles/kenyas-suicide-cult-1683129740. Mackenzie preached that formal education was satanic, prompting followers to drop out of school. He also dissuaded followers from seeking care at hospitals and asked women not to braid their hair or wear wigs and jewelry. In Shakahola, the starvation plan was for children to die first, before the women and men."