John Collins Joins Dr. Steven Hassan To Discuss William Branham, Weaponized Religion, And Religious Radicalization</h1>

John Collins, founder of William Branham Historical Research and author of Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity To The NAR, joined Dr. Steven Hassan on Conversations: The Influence Continuum for a discussion on William Branham, the Message movement, Christian Identity, the New Apostolic Reformation, and the dangers of religious radicalization.

Hassan introduced Collins as a former third-generation member of the William Branham Message movement whose family held a prominent position within Branhamism. Collins discussed his upbringing in the movement, his grandfather Willard Collins' leadership role at Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and the process of leaving an ideology that had shaped his worldview from childhood.

Collins described William Branham as a largely forgotten figure whose influence continues to appear across religious networks, splinter groups, and authoritarian movements. He explained that Branham's teachings, prophetic claims, and recorded sermons became part of a wider web of movements that later intersected with Pentecostalism, Latter Rain theology, deliverance ministry, the New Apostolic Reformation, and modern charismatic networks.

The interview also examined Collins' research into the roots of weaponized religion. Collins traced connections between British Israelism, Christian Identity, the Ku Klux Klan, Branham's mentor Roy E. Davis, Gordon Lindsay, Christ for the Nations, International House of Prayer Kansas City, and later movements that adopted or adapted themes from Branhamism and related ideologies.

A central focus of the conversation was radicalization and mind control. Collins contrasted his experience of being raised inside the Message movement with the experience of people who enter authoritarian groups later in life, explaining that people born into such systems can be conditioned from childhood to reinterpret reality through the group's claims. Hassan, drawing from his work as a mental health professional and former Moonies member, described radicalization as a dramatic personality shift that can alter a person's behavior, loyalties, and sense of identity.

The discussion also addressed recent concerns surrounding religious extremism and the ways apocalyptic or militant religious language can contribute to dangerous outcomes. Collins emphasized that public discussions of radicalization must distinguish ordinary political disagreement from the process by which a person becomes psychologically and spiritually conditioned to view perceived enemies as agents of evil.

Collins explained how biblical figures and Old Testament language can be repurposed as coded political messaging. He noted that Branham labeled John F. Kennedy as "Ahab" and Jacqueline Kennedy as "Jezebel," creating loaded language that allowed later sermons to use militant biblical phrases while listeners understood the implied political targets. Collins warned that such language can become dangerous when followers are already primed to see themselves as participants in a divine conflict.

The interview also explored Branham's teachings about Elijah, end-time prophecy, and "rapturing faith." Collins explained that followers continued searching Branham's recorded sermons for hidden meaning after Branham's death, treating personal opinions, contradictions, and rants as spiritual doctrine.

Collins discussed his archival research into Roy E. Davis, Branham's early mentor, whom Collins connected to the 1915 Ku Klux Klan, bigamy, criminal activity, and later white supremacist networks. Collins explained that years of research through newspapers, microfilm, sermon timelines, and public records revealed a much darker background than the sanitized history preserved by Branham's followers.

Hassan praised Collins' work as an important contribution to understanding destructive religious influence, cultic authoritarianism, and the historical roots of modern Christian nationalism and dominionist movements. Collins emphasized that his goal is to document the history accurately, help people understand how these systems formed, and provide context for those leaving high-control religious groups.

The discussion underscored the importance of historical research, survivor testimony, and public education on authoritarian religion. Collins' work through William Branham Historical Research continues to examine Branhamism, the Message movement, and the broader network of religious and political influences that shaped modern charismatic extremism.