They were suspected of planning violent actions in the coming year in order to bring about the second coming of Jesus. Three members of the cult were detained for questioning, and eventually all 14 were deported back to Denver. The cult's leader, Monte Kim Miller, is believed to be dangerous and hiding in Britain. In another incident in October, a deranged tourist attempted to set fire to an Egged bus in Jerusalem. Those emotions apparently can spark extreme psychotic reactions.
Some tourists convince themselves they are biblical figures.
Others believe they must carry out a mission to bring about a miraculous event. Most people who catch the Jerusalem bug were already mentally unstable when they arrived in Israel, Bar-El said. Christians and Jews are equally susceptible. In 42 recorded cases, however, perfectly normal visitors were overwhelmed during their stay. Forty of them were Protestants, who are expected to make up the bulk of millennial pilgrims.