George Roden

GeorgeB Roden

George Roden was a former leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious group that is an offshoot of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Church. His tenure as leader was marked by controversy and legal battles, most notably with David Koresh, who would later become the group's leader and be at the center of the 1993 Waco Siege.

Early Life

Details about George Roden's early life are sparse. He was born into the Davidian movement, which was founded by Victor Houteff in the 1930s. The movement split after Houteff's death, leading to the formation of the Branch Davidians under the leadership of Benjamin Roden, George's mother, Lois Roden, took over leadership after Benjamin's death, and George became involved in the group's leadership after her.

Leadership of the Branch Davidians

After Lois Roden's health began to decline, George Roden attempted to assert his leadership over the Branch Davidians. His leadership was contested by David Koresh, then known as Vernon Howell, who argued that he was the rightful leader based on his interpretations of biblical prophecy.

The dispute between Roden and Koresh escalated to legal battles and, eventually, to armed confrontation. In one notable incident, Roden challenged Koresh to a resurrection contest to prove who was the rightful leader, which led to a bizarre and tragic series of events.

Legal Issues and Later Life

George Roden's later life was marked by legal troubles, including charges related to the exhumation of a body as part of the dispute with Koresh. He was eventually convicted of murder in a separate case and spent the remainder of his life in prison, where he died.

Legacy

George Roden's legacy is closely tied to the tragic events of the Waco Siege, although he was in prison by the time it occurred. His leadership period is often seen as a tumultuous time for the Branch Davidians, leading up to the group's most infamous moment in history.

See Also

• Branch Davidians
• David Koresh
• Waco Siege
• Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Church