Women were told never to cut their hair, one of the many rules controlling them. Women who disobeyed "weren't worth a good, clean bullet," the sect's founder taught.
Emily Hamer
Public Service Journalism reporter
“I know for a fact young women did not want to be 17, 18 years old and marrying a man in his 50s. ... But the parents had a different view.”
Men across the country use misogynistic rhetoric from their prophet, the late Rev. William Branham, to justify sexist behavior.
The story behind millions of dollars amassed by a fringe religious sect includes the distribution of recorded sermons by its dead prophet and tributes paid worldwide.
Leaders influenced by William Branham have overseen a deadly starvation cult in Kenya in 2023 and a trailer-park commune in Arizona that abused children in the 1960s, among other atrocities.
A Tucson pastor built his congregation on the strict teachings of 20th-century 'prophet' William Branham, but made it so harsh that leaving means estrangement from family members.
Former members who have been "excommunicated" from a Tucson church "cult" say the church prevents them from attending the funerals of their own family members.
"Indoctrination school" at Tucson church thrives under Arizona's home-schooling rules. Former students say it used shunning and shame, taught all about 'prophet' William Branham.
The 'prophet' who founded a sect called The Message hailed this Arizona trailer park as an ideal community in the 1960s. Survivors say they suffered hellish abuse as children there.