Nation of Yahweh

The Nation of Yahweh is a predominantly African American offshoot of the Black Hebrew Israelite religious movement which was founded in 1979 in Miami by former Nation of Islam minister, Hulon Mitchell Jr., who went by the name Yahweh ben Yahweh. Its goal is to move African Americans, who it believes are the original Israelites, to Israel. The group accepts Yahweh ben Yahweh as the Son of God. In this way, its beliefs are unique and distinct from those of other Black Hebrew Israelite groups.[1][2]

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Its founder was indicted on federal racketeering and extortion charges and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.[3] The group has faced accusations of being a black supremacist cult by the Southern Poverty Law Center[4] and as a cult by The Miami Herald.[5]

The organization describes itself as follows: "In 1979, Yahweh Ben Yahweh came to Miami and became the Spiritual Leader and Founder of The Nation of Yahweh. Although He took a vow of poverty, in seven years He guided The Nation to amass a $250,000,000 empire. Under His direction, The Nation has grown to encompass disciples, followers, and supporters in over 1,300 cities within the U.S. and 16 other countries."[6]

Criticism

The SPLC has criticized the beliefs of the Nation of Yahweh as racist, stating that the group believes that blacks are the true Israelites and whites are devils. The SPLC also claims that the group believes that Yahweh ben Yahweh had a Messianic mission to vanquish whites and that it held views similar to those of the Christian Identity movement, which believes that "Aryans" are the true Israelites and non-whites are devils. The SPLC quotes Tom Metzger of White Aryan Resistance as saying, "[Groups like the Nation of Yahweh are] the Black counterpart of us."[7]

The Anti-Defamation League has criticized the Nation of Yahweh and some other Black Hebrew sects, stating, "In 1987, ADL reported on Black sects holding these views [arguing that today's Jews are not the "chosen people" described in the Bible, ... instead that the label applies to people of African descent], such as the Yahwehs and the Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem."[8]

"We may be rabbis and nuns here," he told The New York Times with a wide smile, "but we don't believe in celibacy."[9]

Most followers were men; the main elders were men as well. Yahweh ben Yahweh's wife, Linda Gaines[10] (Judith Israel) became a significant helper and leader. Gaines collected money, handled finances and the possessions of full-time workers. She had a bodyguard and was high up in the following.[11]

Current activities

Despite the conviction, incarceration (until 2001), and court-mandated isolation from Nation of Yawweh, of its leader Yahweh ben Yahweh, and his death in 2007, the Nation of Yahweh is still active, and still consider Yahweh ben Yahweh to be a messiah. Its website claims to have abandoned their past racism and the leader's daughter has apparently stated that all people are children of God. An attorney who is also a member of the group, Wendelyn Rush, insists that its current war with the U.S. government is a non-violent verbal battle. The group is reportedly spread throughout the US and no longer concentrated in one location (formerly Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA). It claims that its present literature downplays and has nearly erased all past racism, and the past criminal behaviour of its leader and followers.

The Nation of Yahweh is a purchaser of national infomercial time. The Nation airs a weekly half-hour program on stations across the United States, usually on weekends during little-watched early morning hours, that combines Bible studies with discussions about the Nation itself.

The Yahweh ben Yahweh group appeared in the news again in 2012 after "Michael the Black Man" (real name Maurice Woodside), a former member of the group who is now a conservative activist, was invited to speak at a rally for Rick Santorum's presidential campaign during which he said that Democrats were akin to Nazis.[12] Woodside has since become a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, but continues to defend Yahweh ben Yahweh and the Nation's beliefs.[13]

See also

Notes
  1. Gallagher, Eugene V. (2004). The New Religious Movements Experience in America. Greenwood Press. p. 149. ISBN 0-313-32807-2.
  2. "Rebirth of A Nation". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  3. Martin, Douglas (May 9, 2007). "Yahweh ben Yahweh, Leader of Separatist Sect, Dies at 71" – via NYTimes.com.
  4. Mark Potok (November 29, 2001). "Popularity and Populism". Intelligence Report. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  5. "Staff's work has won 17 Pulitzer Prizes: 1991". Miami.com. September 15, 2002. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004.
  6. "Yahweh Ben Yahweh". www.yahwehbenyahweh.com. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  7. "Miami-Based Nation of Yahweh Leader Appeals Parole". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  8. "African-American Anti-Semitism". Anti-Defamation League. Archived from the original on 2002-09-21. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  9. Schudel, Matt (2007-05-10). "Yahweh Ben Yahweh; Led Violent Cult". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  10. "Top Yahweh Follower Gets 16-year Term In Conspiracy". tribunedigital-sunsentinel. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  11. "FindLaw's United States Eleventh Circuit case and opinions". FindLaw. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  12. "Rick Santorum Invites Ex-Yahweh Member Michael The Black Man To Open Rally".
  13. "The strange story of that 'Blacks for Trump' guy standing behind POTUS at his Phoenix rally".
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