…for tomorrow we shall die in a nuclear holocaust. At least, Yisrayl “Buffalo Bill” Hawkins, the founder of a religious sect in Abilene, Texas, says we will.
“It could be turned loose before then,” Hawkins told the ABC’s 20/20. “You’re going to see this very soon, really soon,” he said.
Hundreds of truck trailers have been loaded with food and water on the group’s 44-acre compound, in preparation for the coming June 12 war, says ABC.
Former members told the newsprogram there is a method to Hawkins’ madness: the doomsday predictions help Hawkins make money and keep disillusioned members from leaving, for fear they will be killed when the end comes. (Won’t we all be killed when the end comes?)
“He’s been saying just give me two more years, we’re right at the end,” said former member Miriam Martin, who left in 2004.
The 73-year-old Hawkins was arrested and indicted in February and charged with promoting bigamy, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Hawkins also faces a misdemeanor charge of breaking child labor laws. He’s accused of having up to 40 children working weekdays in the fields, in a canning operation and in a cafeteria.