Ex-Branch Davidian Cult Member
My Religious Advice to Justin Bieber …
‘Don’t Go Against Pit in Your Stomach’
Published
TMZ.com
David Thibodeau — a survivor of the notorious 1993 Branch Davidians siege in Waco, Texas — is giving Justin Bieber some sage recommendation on faith, as a few of his former associates query his affiliation with Churchome.
Justin’s internal circle’s been getting smaller, and we’re instructed a part of the reason being former associates imagine Churchome, the Christian church he attends, is a cult, and Thibodeau has a variety of expertise in that space, having been a member of the Branch Davidians — the David Koresh-led cult that had a weeks-long standoff with the feds earlier than their Waco compound burned to the bottom, killing greater than 80 members.
TMZ Studios
Thibodeau instructed us he sees a variety of good and a few unhealthy within the case of Justin and Churchome. He says one main constructive is the org is nowhere close to as hardcore because the Branch Davidians had been.
For starters, Churchome isn’t a 24/7 operation just like the Davidians … the truth is, the church solely meets as soon as a month — which David says provides Justin time and freedom to analysis different religions, if he chooses to take action.
TMZ.com
Thibodeau warns JB, “Don’t go towards that pit in his abdomen that claims one thing is true or mistaken?” He additionally cautions Justin to be cautious of Churchome’s management in the event that they solely have him learn “the scripture” with no exterior influences.
David additionally mentions Bieber needs to be grateful he is older now as a result of youthful, much less refined persons are extra prone to being lured into a spiritual group or cult, identical to what occurred to him with the Davidians.
TMZ.com
What’s extra, Thibodeau says if Justin’s associates assault the singer’s religion or church — it will solely serve to strengthen Justin’s bond with the church. He affords a greater method for these round him who disagree with Churchome.
In our documentary, “TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber?” — obtainable now on YouTube — we instructed you about Justin’s ex-pal Ryan Good‘s falling out with the singer.
Ryan was a Churchome member, however sources instructed us he left as a result of he thought it was a cult … one thing its pastor, Judah Smith, has adamantly denied.
Thibodeau says he was capable of overcome the heavy affect of the Branch Davidians by “counting his blessings” every day, and suggests the Biebs do the identical.
A few fascinating information … Thibodeau was only a long-haired hippy when he was led out of the Koresh compound in handcuffs in 1993.
He was considered one of solely 9 survivors of the cult, and he even wrote a e-book, “Waco: A Survivor’s Story,” in regards to the 51-day standoff with ATF and FBI brokers.