Religious institutions are a threat to the state s attempt to monopolize morality and society. The vilification of fundamentalists has been an easy way to rationalize increases in government power. Recall how the BATF s attempt to put on a spectacular raid on a fundamentalist cult at the time their budget was up for consideration turned into a horrific conflagration. Ironically, Waco begat the Oklahoma City bombing. When a government agency massacres innocents we should be saddened, but not surprised if it provokes paranoia and some unstable person retaliates in kind against the government.
State terrorism begets free-agent terrorism.
The Oklahoma City bombing begat the Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. For decades the government agencies like BATF, FBI, and INS have been seeking ways to expand their power. Oklahoma City gave them their chance. Even the Reagan administration did not push through legislation this Draconian. The Clinton administration achieved it.