David Koresh "knew how to manipulate people" says child psychiatrist | Forensic Files

back in 1993 there was a small religious community in Waco led by a man named David Koresh I think he was pious I
really do believe that he believed but I also know that he knew how to manipulate
people he was a very keen observer of human behavior when you're marginalized and always watching and studying people
you would develop street smarts you figure out what what sort of button pushes that person and what makes this
person unstable you can manipulate people if you make them feel unsettled and then you make them feel settled and
so you make them feel off balance and then you rescue them and then off balance and rescue them and I just think
you just kept pushing it and pushing it and pushing it by doing things like sleep deprivation overworking
threatening with expulsion but what's the obedience with the children and the adults inside the compound a result of
the reverence they felt for him or the fear they had for him people who are really good at creating these
environments sort of people that end up as quote cult leaders they use fear but they use also connectedness they use
connection and and rejection so the fear ultimately becomes the fear that David won't love me the fear that David won't
include me based on your conversations with all of these kids what were they willing to do for David Koresh oh
they're willing to do anything die for David Koresh they were willing and actually anxious to serve as his bride
if you were a young girl or serve as his soldiers for David if you were looking at camera and telling what you
think about it who's treated you good then of course when the fire takes place David had told them this would happen
which made david koresh even more powerful in their eyes and so the fulfillment of prophecy is one of the
most powerful things that you can experience as a human being that some person told you the future and they were
absolutely right and he is God [Music]

In the days following the raid at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, David Koresh began releasing children – 21 in all. Child psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry was asked by the State of Texas to lead a multi-agency team to care for the children. Dr. Perry believes David Koresh was a master of manipulation, exerting complete control over not only the children, but also the adults living in the compound.

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Brief Summary

The episode examines David Koresh's manipulation of followers during the Waco siege and their extreme loyalty to him.

Key points

The Manipulation of David Koresh. David Koresh was a master manipulator, using fear and connection to control his followers.
Willingness to Die for Belief. Followers were ready to die for David Koresh, showcasing extreme loyalty and devotion.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

They were willing to do anything, die for David Koresh.

Describing the extreme devotion of followers.

1:44WatchDec 30, 2017

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