Empathy and the Religious "Enemy"

Women leaders in the Davidian and branch Davidian traditions

Item

Title

Women leaders in the Davidian and branch Davidian traditions See all items with this value

Creator

William L. Pitts Jr.

Date

May 2009

Description

Journal article examining the role of women leaders in small alternative religions, in this case the Branch Davidian tradition.

Format

Journal article

Language

English

Place

Online

Publisher

Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions

Extent

22pp

Relation

Branch Davidians

Rights Holder

University of California Press

Subject

Branch Davidians

Abstract

Two women, Florence Houteff and Lois Roden, attained positions of leadership in the Davidian and Branch Davidian traditions. This article examines how they achieved, maintained, and eventually lost power. Several factors, including money, visions, and legal strategies contributed to their successes, but marriage to the founders of the two movements and the precedent of the influential female Adventist leader, Ellen White, helped to legitimate Florence Houteff and Lois Roden as leaders of their religious communities. Once they had assumed leadership roles, they proved themselves by innovative, radical, and convincing teachings based on scripture. Florence Houteff's leadership foundered on failed prophecy. Lois Roden lost leadership in a succession struggle between her son, George Roden, and Vernon Howell/David Koresh. Both prevailed briefly as leaders because of the persuasiveness of their religious authority.

doi

https://doi.org/10.1525/nr.2009.12.4.50

Bibliographic Citation

Pitts Jr, William L. "Women leaders in the Davidian and branch Davidian traditions." Nova Religio 12, no. 4 (2009): 50-71.

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Title	Class
Branch Davidians	Collection