While the Branch Davidians are known for the tragedy that occurred in Waco, Texas. It is unclear when the Branch Davidians became a sect or whether they were a contrast between a religious group and a sect. A cult is a small religious group that is not part of a larger, more accepted religion and whose beliefs are considered by many people to be extreme or dangerous. When did the Branch Davidians become a cult? The Branch Davidians were a small splinter religious sect descended from the Seventh-day Adventists. The founder of this sect was Victor Houteff, a Bulgarian emigrant. In 1930, Houteff wrote The Sheppard's Rod, a book containing errors in the Adventist denomination. In his book, two topics are explained; the revelation of a secret scroll that explains the last book of the Bible, Revelation. The scroll indicates when and how Christ will return. It also indicates that the purification of a small group of Christians will allow the second coming of Christ to occur. With his 11 disciples, he founded Mount Carmel in 1935. Vernon Wayne Howell was born August 17, 1959, to Bonnie Clark. At the age of two, Vernon was placed in the care of his grandparents, who raised him in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. From a young age, David loved music and attended the Seventh-day Adventist church. By the age of twelve, David had managed to learn and memorize large portions of the Bible, despite his dyslexia. He had become completely bullied due to his medical condition due to his learning disabilities. He returned to Texas after a failed attempt to become a rock star. In 1981, David took a job as a handyman at Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas, and would later become the leader of the Branch Davidians. In 1990, Vernon changed his name to David Kores...... middle of paper. .....Koresh." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, nd Web. May 2, 2014. .Cline, Austine. "Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventists." Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. About. com, nd Web. May 2, 2014. Beyer, Catheirne. “Students of the Seven Seals.” About.com Alternative Religions About.com, May 2, 2014. “ATF Raids Branch Davidian Compound.” History.com, nd Web. 2014. .