We all face choices daily, ranging from simple to life-altering. But what happens when someone claims their terrible actions were directly instructed by God? This list delves into ten disturbing cases where individuals cited divine command as justification for their shocking deeds.
10 The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart’s life changed forever on June 5, 2002. Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee, abducted her from her bedroom. Mitchell held the delusional belief that he was an angel tasked with fighting the antichrist, a mission he thought required multiple virgin brides, starting with Elizabeth.
During her captivity, Smart endured horrific abuse, including rape, starvation, and being chained to a tree. Mitchell called her ‘Esther’ and himself ‘Immanuel,’ adopting robes and a long beard to mimic appearances of Jesus Christ, all under the guise of following God’s will.
Fortunately, Elizabeth was rescued on March 13, 2003. Mitchell faced trial despite initial concerns about his mental fitness. He received two life sentences, while Barzee was sentenced to 15 years, serving only nine.
9 Bernard of Clairvaux
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), though not inherently bigoted, played a key role in inciting the Second Crusade, which led to widespread violence. After the First Crusade established Christian states, Seljuk Turks began encroaching on these territories in the 1140s.
Pope Eugene III called for a Second Crusade in 1144 and enlisted Bernard, a renowned preacher, to rally support. Bernard toured France and Germany, promising crusaders divine grace and forgiveness for past sins. His powerful message galvanized immense support, emptying entire villages as men signed up.
Tragically, some crusaders turned their aggression towards European Jews, using them as practice targets. Bernard condemned these massacres, but his words had little impact. The Second Crusade ultimately achieved little militarily but resulted in the deaths of many innocent people in the Holy Land. Bernard was canonized shortly after his death.
8 Deanna LaJune Laney
In New Chapel Hill, Texas, the Laney family appeared loving and stable to their neighbors. Deanna and her husband raised three sons: Joshua (8), Luke (6), and baby Aaron (14 months). However, tragedy struck in May 2003.
One night, Deanna killed her two older sons by smashing their heads with rocks while her husband slept. Afterward, she calmly called 911 to report her actions. Police found the infant, Aaron, severely injured in his crib. Deanna was found nearby, covered in blood.
It emerged that Deanna had previously told church members God warned her about the world ending and instructed her to prepare. Her defense centered on the claim that God commanded her heinous actions.
Mental health experts concluded Deanna suffered from psychotic delusions, rendering her unable to discern right from wrong during the killings. The court found her not guilty by reason of insanity and committed her to a state hospital. Aaron, thankfully, survived his injuries.
7 LeRoya Moore
LeRoya Moore’s case shares disturbing parallels with Deanna Laney’s, involving the tragic deaths of young children. However, the legal outcome differed significantly. Moore was found guilty of murdering her 6-year-old daughter, Aleisha, and 7-year-old son, Daaron, receiving two consecutive 60-year prison sentences.
Autopsies revealed the children died from antihistamine intoxication. Moore claimed God told her to kill the children, alleging they drowned during a baptism attempt. She remained with their bodies for three days before police intervened.
Moore told officers she had “saved” her children. Her defense team argued insanity, supported by a psychiatrist’s diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. However, the court rejected this plea, ultimately holding her responsible for the murders.
6 Shia and Sunni Conflict
The Muslim world is primarily divided into Sunni (about 85%) and Shia (about 15%). This split originates from disagreement over the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad – Sunnis favoring his companion Abu Bakr, Shias supporting his cousin Ali.
This ancient division fuels ongoing conflict, often violent. In Iraq, which has a Shia majority, the Sunni extremist group Daesh (ISIS) commits brutal acts. Talha Abdulrazaq reported a tragic incident in 2021 for TRT WORLD:
Daesh militants kidnapped two Shia villagers, demanding ransom. When their demands weren’t met, they murdered the hostages and instructed the families to retrieve the bodies. However, this was a deadly trap; when the families arrived, they were ambushed, resulting in nine more deaths and numerous injuries.
This incident exemplifies the devastating consequences of sectarian violence, where militants on both sides often believe their actions are sanctioned by God.
5 Travis Reinking
In April 2015, Travis Reinking entered a Tennessee Waffle House wearing only a green jacket but armed with an AR-15 rifle. He opened fire, killing four people before a bystander managed to disarm him. Reinking fled into the woods and was apprehended two days later.
Reinking held the delusion that his victims were government agents and that God had explicitly instructed him to execute them. Initially deemed unfit for trial due to severe schizophrenia, this decision was later overturned. Reinking was ultimately found guilty on four counts of first-degree murder.
4 Abraham
The biblical story of Abraham being commanded by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, is profoundly disturbing and widely debated. According to Genesis, God blessed the elderly Abraham and Sara with Isaac. Later, God instructed Abraham to take Isaac to Moriah for sacrifice.
Reaching the designated place, Abraham built an altar. Isaac, unaware of the plan, asked about the sacrificial lamb. Abraham proceeded to bind his son and place him on the altar. Just as Abraham raised the knife, an angel intervened, stopping the sacrifice and providing a ram instead.
The meaning of this narrative remains a complex topic for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Was it a test of absolute obedience? Why demand such a horrific act? The story raises difficult questions about faith and divine command.
3 Nikko Jenkins
Nikko Jenkins, released from prison at 26 after serving over a decade for carjacking, quickly returned to violence. In August 2013, he murdered four people in Omaha, Nebraska, over just ten days.
Arrested later that month on unrelated charges, Jenkins confessed to the killings during a rambling interview. He claimed the Egyptian serpent god Apophis commanded the murders, tormenting him until he complied.
Jenkins also blamed the state of Nebraska, arguing he was released prematurely and denied adequate mental health treatment. He even filed a $24.5 million lawsuit against the state, though it was unsuccessful. His wife supported his claim that he wasn’t ready for release.
Jenkins pleaded no contest to first-degree murder. While incarcerated, he engaged in self-mutilation, notably carving ‘666’ onto his forehead (which appeared as upside-down nines due to using a mirror). He is currently awaiting execution.
2 Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adeboye holds significant influence in Nigeria as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he shared insights he claimed came directly from God regarding the virus’s impact.
According to Adeboye, God told him that the coronavirus would only claim the lives of those destined to die regardless. He downplayed the virus’s severity, noting that snake bites killed comparable numbers in Nigeria.
While Adeboye did advise precautions, his message could easily be interpreted as suggesting human efforts were secondary to God’s predetermined plan, potentially impacting public health responses among his followers.
1 The 9/11 Hijackers
The devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, remain etched in global memory. This horrific event, which changed the world profoundly, needs little recounting.
The nineteen hijackers who carried out the attacks were motivated by extremist religious ideology, believing their actions were divinely ordained by God (Allah). Their interpretation led to the tragic deaths of nearly 3,000 innocent people.
While faith often inspires good deeds and unity, this event starkly illustrates how distorted religious beliefs can be twisted to justify immense violence and division. It’s crucial to remember that the vast majority of Muslims worldwide condemned these atrocities committed falsely in the name of their faith.
These stories serve as chilling reminders of how perceived divine commands have been used to justify unimaginable acts throughout history and in modern times. They raise complex questions about faith, mental health, free will, and the interpretation of religious texts.
What are your thoughts on these cases? Leave your comment below.
