Support the show:br br br Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:br br br Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:br Paperback: Kindle: br John Collins and McKinnon examine the impact of Avak Hagopian on the Latter Rain movement and, ultimately, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The conversation highlights the intertwining of personal charisma, alleged divine encounters, and the manipulation of religious followers for personal gain. The narrative suggests that these figures were pivotal in establishing a framework where experience and spectacle in religious gatherings often took precedence over genuine spiritual outcomes. The discussion also touches on the questionable ethics and integrity of these leaders, particularly in the context of financial and moral controversies that surrounded their ministries.br br The early faith healers laid the groundwork for the theatrical and often exploitative nature of later religious movements, such as the NAR. The focus on building large followings through claims of divine healing and prophetic abilities, coupled with the strategic use of media and public relations, created a powerful but often deceptive religious phenomenon. The conversation implies that the legacy of these figures continues to influence modern charismatic movements, raising questions about the authenticity and motivations behind such ministries.