2: Divine Deception: The True Story of Yahweh Ben Yahweh

Heinous beliefs

In this episode of Heinous Beliefs, we explore the rise and fall of Yahweh Ben Yahweh, born Hulon Mitchell Jr., a preacher’s son who rebranded himself as a self-proclaimed Son of God. From his roots in Oklahoma to his unsettling control over the Nation of Yahweh in Miami, Yahweh’s journey was riddled with manipulation, coercion, and violence. Behind his promises of salvation and empowerment lay a reality of brutal murders, fear tactics, and a cult-like regime. This episode dives deep into his life, the crimes of the Nation of Yahweh, and the law enforcement efforts that brought him to justice.
Key Points Covered:

1. Introduction:
   
   
   • Overview of the podcast’s theme: crimes driven by belief systems.
     
   • A recap of Episode 1 and its connection to the podcast’s overall focus.
     
   • Teaser: Yahweh Ben Yahweh’s transformation from a preacher’s son to the leader of a fearsome cult.
     
2. Early Life of Hulon Mitchell Jr.:
   
   
   • Growing up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, as one of 15 children in a devout religious family.
     
   • His father’s role as a preacher and how this shaped Hulon’s early ambitions.
     
   • Experiencing racism and economic hardship in the Jim Crow South.
     
3. The Path Before Miami:
   
   
   • Military service and the discipline Hulon developed during his time in the armed forces.
     
   • His brief attempt at law school and subsequent decision to join the Nation of Islam.
     
   • Hulon’s fascination with Malcolm X and his adoption of the name Hulon X.
     
   • Preaching under various names like "Father Mitchell" and "Reverend Hulon Shah" in cities like Atlanta, blending Christian theology, Nation of Islam teachings, and Jewish principles to attract followers.
     
4. The Nation of Yahweh Takes Shape:
   
   
   • Yahweh’s arrival in Miami in the late 1970s and his establishment of the "Temple of Love."
     
   • How he targeted disenfranchised Black communities with messages of empowerment and salvation.
     
   • His financial model: mandatory tithes, unpaid labor, and the operation of community businesses.
     
5. Life Within the Nation:
   
   
   • Strict rules: white robes symbolizing purity, early morning prayers, and communal meals.
     
   • Isolation from family and the outside world, fostering a culture of dependence and loyalty.
     
   • Circumcision rituals for male recruits and the psychological control these practices enforced.
     
   • The roles of women, particularly the wives of enforcers, in maintaining secrecy and supporting Yahweh’s regime.
     
6. A Culture of Fear and Violence:
   
   
   • The murder of Aston Green and its use as a warning to other members.
     
   • Initiation killings like that of Raymond Kelly, where recruits had to prove loyalty through violent acts.
     
   • Testimonies from neighbors around the Temple of Love describing screams, disappearances, and a culture of silence enforced by fear.
     
7. The Arrest and Trial:
   
   
   • The FBI’s multi-state investigation into Yahweh’s activities and the coordination of local law enforcement.
     
   • Yahweh’s dramatic arrest in November 1990 and the simultaneous raids on Nation properties in Florida, Texas, and Georgia.
     
   • Key testimonies, particularly from Robert Rozier, detailing murders carried out on Yahweh’s orders.
     
   • Courtroom revelations: recordings of Yahweh’s sermons, graphic crime scene photos, and victims’ families testifying.
     
   • Yahweh’s conviction in 1992 on conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering charges.
     
8. Yahweh Ben Yahweh’s Downfall and Legacy:
   
   
   • His time in prison, continued proclamations of divinity, and his attempts to maintain influence.
     
   • Yahweh’s death in 2007 from prostate cancer and the end of his physical reign.
     
   • The lasting trauma he left on his followers, victims’ families, and the communities he manipulated.
     
9. Closing Thoughts:
   
   
   • Reflection on the dangers of unchecked power and blind faith.
     
   • Encouragement to critically examine leaders and their messages.
     

Memorable Quotes:

• “You didn’t just follow orders—you followed them, or you were next.” - Robert Rozier’s testimony.
  
• “It was like a prison, but you were supposed to be grateful to be there.” - Former Nation of Yahweh member.
  

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