Listener, discretion is advised. This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please keep this in mind when deciding if how and when you listen for resources on these topics, visit, Spotify, DOT, com, slash resources. in December of nineteen. Ninety six, the members of Heaven's gate through a Christmas party for a group that shunned attachments it was a surprisingly festive affair. They decorated the house, garlands lights and stockings wrapped presents baked identical cakes one for each member. in the middle of the party, a follower who had left the group for a time suddenly returned, perhaps in eating, later give than the ones tied with bows. Everyone hugged him welcoming him back. They held a towel, show members showed off small tricks like juggling they,

together as a choir conducted by Marshall Applewhite, including a song that they'd written about Heaven's gate. It was a happy day smiles and laughter all around but Three months later they were gone. hi, I'm Gregg pulsing, and I'm Vanessa Richardson, and this our final episode and a special anniversary series on Heaven's gate presented by cults, we're taking a deep dive into the so called european cult, to try to understand who they were, what they believed and what caused their tragic end. Twenty five years ago, today we're going follow the final weeks of Heaven's gate will also look at the aftermath of their deaths and the reaction from the public, as we close The series will try to tackle one of the most difficult questions that surrounds the group. Did they die by suicide, or was this

active mass murder. We have all that coming up stay with us This episode is brought to you by Eggland's lands best when it comes to good food. Take the mist of what you'll die out of your next grocery trip, at least when it comes to ex egg lands. Best is the only at you should buy for your family, they're, tasty and nutritious. adding six times more vitamin d, ten times more. Vitamin e and twenty five percent less saturated fat than ordinary eggs, because you and your family deserve only the best for for information and delicious recipes visit egg lands best dotcom. This happened

It is brought to you by a d t. Mysteries are always fun to unravel, but not when it comes to your home's security. Luckily, there's e d t they now professionally installed. Google nest products with their smart home security, which means plenty of smart devices to help you protect what matters most because eighty TI believes the smarter, the home, the safer, the security to see how eighty ti cannot make your home, smarter and safer I visit e d t dot com. This episode is brought to you by Ali Battery running low. No, not that one. Your internal battery, well good NEWS Ali, has delicious vitamins and supplements to keep you feeling unstoppable from sleep and mood, support to beauty and immunity. Boosters helps you rest recharge and charge had burst into the new year Ali little dummies with big benefits plague regarding

Wiley dot com, that's o l, o y dot com to shop. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease in the early nineties nineties, the remaining members of Heavens Gate were fuelled by a new purpose. They had to warn as many people as they could that the end The age was almost here: they had to spread the some of the next level before it was too late. The convinced ahead, of new recruits to join their group, but for the most part the public rejected their message. Ridiculed them told them. They were crazy. It didn't make Heaven's gate any less dedicated to their faith. It just convinced some of the hard truth the world didn't, listen because they weren't worth saving one member explained in a statement the weeds have taken over the garden

and truly disturbed its usefulness beyond repair. It is time for this, illustration to be recycled stated under. In other words, humanity was a total loss to cause inside the confines of Heaven's gate. Members were taught to reject their humanness initially that help Focus on their transformation, but after so many years highlighting every human flaw. It manifested into a complete hatred of the outside world. Humanity wasn't just lost. It was disgusting rotten core, we can see evidence of that in the following prayer. Please open my eyes that I may see as you the corrupt, wicked and evil ways of this world, so my hate will grow daily for what it has chosen to become help me. Not to be blinded to knowing that in order to leave this world by must have grown to despise it. Another follower felt this planet has become the planet of the walk

dead. The human world is a hideous hell due to all of the poor choices humans have made since the beginning of this civilization Chris de the members of Heaven's gate had convinced themselves that they weren't humans. They were aliens in human clothes. They didn't belong here at a failed recruitment. Basically sealed the deal on that because the rest of the world treated them like outsiders. They felt persecuted and they wondered if one day someone might attack them for trying to spread their message there. It always been an undercurrent of paranoia in Heaven skate back in the and Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Lou Nettles had gone underground for a time because they were worried. They might be arrested. All of the negative press about them made them feel like targets the group remain skittish, even after they formed the classroom, they moved constantly.

never staying in any one place for more than six months paying for everything in cash. Part of this was to keep them from getting too comfortable. That was a human crutch, but it was also to make them harder to track. However, The latest round of recruitment had expose them in a big way. Evans gate was front page news by their own making. So these feelings- a paranoid intensified because not only did Apple White be like he alone knew the truth about Christiana He also knew the truth about aliens, and you have always members of Heaven's gate, leave that the? U S, government had covered up past UFO crashes and the recovery of alien bodies, things that would prove the existence of the next level. So by telling the world about all of it, it put a target on their back, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing by this point, everyone in the group knew they would need to leave behind their vehicles, their bodies to get to the next level

was what they called the exit, and if the government saw them a threat, maybe their exit would happen during I'm kind of stand off with authorities they had seen it happen before, with other fringe groups, apple light pointed to Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge and David Koresh at Waco. He saw them as men who were devout in their own way and had also been labeled outsiders. They were both involved in standoffs with authorities in the early nineties. Both had ended with a body count. Maybe the same thing would happen to Heaven's gate. Maybe that was the exit that the next level had planned for them. the group purchased several guns and learn how to use them in a public. Usenet posting Applewhite White wrote that anyone who was interested in joining Heaven's gate should come with their own weapon and be prepared to use it, but eventually they backed off from that idea. A government see was too unpredictable sociologist

Bird ball explained in Heaven skate the cult of cults, half of them would be dead and the other half will end up, maimed and crippled and still stuck here on planet earth. So the group continued to grapple with the pressing question. How were they going to exit? Should they simply wait for their vehicles to break down one by one they always below. that they would graduate together as a group and out of all of them I shall apple. Whites vehicle was breaking down the fastest. He. an older man now in his sixties, According to some of his former followers, he thought he might be dying suffering from a form of cancer at the very least age, was taking a heavy toll. Then, in September nineteen? Ninety four apple white approached the group and asked what, if we had to exit are vehicles by our own choice did we have a problem

That, once again, he turned to the Bible for guidance. Jesus had sacrificed his body allowed himself to be killed so that he could return to his father in Heaven should been skate, follow his example and take their own lives. Reaction from the group was somber. It was a conversation considering all the possibilities. Tears were shed and at least one person packed airbags that night and left Heaven's gate as a result, Have them agreed to consider suicide as their exit strategy, one former member explained they didn't. I with the vehicle anyway shore shortly,

After this conversation, the group purchased a book written by journalist and assisted suicide advocate Derek Humphry. The book provides medical, ethical and legal advice, as well as a specific methodology that Humphrey called one hundred percent certain. It's important to stress that Humphrey's book was intended for terminally ill patients who wish to end their lives. It advocates for the right to die in a very specific area So try to keep that context in mind and after this initial discussion, Heaven's gate actually put this possibility on the back burner. It was drastic and they weren't completely convinced that it was what the next level wanted. In the meantime, they did. Several things to India They had no intention of exiting anytime soon for one they kept recruiting throughout.

Ninety five: ninety ninety six that use the internet to try to spread the message, but only to new members, a couple joint as a result and one of them defected after about a month. It was also during this time that Apple white and a handful of followers decided to have castration procedures, which we talked about in a previous episode, which begs the question: why put yourself through a painful surgery and recovery plan, it's as, if you're about to leave your body behind and nineteen ninety five. The group broke ground on arguably their most impressive undertaking, yet they purchase forty acres of land in New Mexico, the site of an abandoned summer camp. They plan to build a fully functional self sustaining compound, for Heaven's gate, a sort of monastery they called the launch pad. After dedicating ten months to the project, they ran out of steam, the weather turned cold one member said it was just too hard to keep doing.

Maybe the season had turned in more ways than one, because around the time the launch pad project wrapped up one of the members of Heaven Skate discovered an underground radio show the late night I M broadcast primarily covered conspiracy theories, ufos and government cover ups, the whole group darted tuning into the programme. It was how they learned the truth about the hail Bob comment that it had a spy ship traveling alongside it coming up Heaven's gate finally opens hi, I'm Christine cheaper, and I M shalt where the hosts of rituals, the new Spotify original from park, asked if you ve heard our protest and that's what drink. You know we are no strangers to true crime, and the paranormal were also into the occult too, how about not to join, but you know, tat to learn and educate

every Monday on rituals, where journeying through mystifying stories of sorcery, alchemy, satanism and more and trying to determine if the dark arts of the past impact us today like what witches who were they or the fountain of youth address. Please don't forget Werewolf trials M objection Christine, let's give too much away, and instead, let's tell everyone to follow our new podcast rituals free and only on Spotify It's episode is brought to you by egg lands best. You love mysteries. So here's a good one for you. What's the only egg you should buy for your family meet a couple of hints to crack the case. Well, it's tasty. Yet nutritious, and it provides six times more vitamin d ten times more vitamin e and twenty five percent less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. If you haven't figured it out Already. It's egg lands best and the reason they taste so good, while being good for you is because of their proprietary.

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best. Has you covered for more information and delicious recipes visit egg lands best dot com? This episode is brought to you by eighty TI, it's time with the greatest mystery of all who keeps knocking the planters over on your front porch, because you have a d d and their smart home security systems with Google nest. The answer is pretty easy to figure out the Google nest. Doorbell lefty know what's happening at your front door from virtually anywhere and the perk turns out. It's a neighborhood stray cat help protect what matters most with all the smart devices. You need, plus twenty four seven professional monitoring from eighty TI amp a little help from Google to see how Abt can help make your home, smarter and visit e d t dot com. Now back to the story in nineteen. Ninety six, one of the most popular late night talk radio shows in the U S was coast to coast, hosted by art Bell.

Topics on the show ran the gamut, everything from the paranormal too big for two gun control, belgian. better himself self, an entertainer first and foremost, but wanted coast to coast to be an open forum for any discussion. Even if he didn't necessarily agree with every viewpoint, any one could call it and talk about pretty much anything by that fall. The hill Bob comment was a hot topic in both UFO and conspiracy theory circles. There were claims that the US government was hiding an important truth from the public that an alien spaceship flying alongside the comet on November fourteenth amateur astronomer named Chuck shrank back called into coast to coast with an update. He said there has been a real lack of pictures from the Hubble space telescope or any big observatories so that

got me all the more curious art bell asked him to clarify. Why did we think the government would hide photos of the comet traffic replied? Perhaps they saw something they felt might disturb. People shrimp may claim that he'd taken his own photograph and it showed that a huge, unidentified object was following the Hale Bopp Comet, a companion like other conspiracy theorists. He believed it was a spacecraft Tremec was immediately struck when he saw it saying it was so. right and strange, I began to pray stay. A man named Courtney, Brown called into the radio show he claimed to be an expert on remote, viewing a clairvoyant tick. make that allow someone to see and sense fahrway objects using only their mind. Remote viewing is key sitter does pseudoscience at best, so it definitely fit the bill for ART Bell. Show

Brown and some of his students at the Farsight Institute had used their powers to investigate the Hale Bopp Companion and he's done what they had seen. It was absolutely a spaceship. They described it as larger than earth hollow and under intelligent control right provided their photo of the companion allegedly given to him by an anonymous photographer. It showed a lie: Our glowing object in the trail of pale Bob ART Bell posted it on his website and it quickly spread throughout the online UFO Community, ram, make an browns photos were debunked by experts. Shrimp make had actually capture image of an identified star brow thought photo was straight up doctored, but by that point the companion theory had taken hold especially inside Heaven's gate, they saw Hale Bob as them

are. They ve been waiting for a signal from the next level and not just the companion, but the comet itself. sociologists. Robert Bulge and David Taylor explained that, while Marshall, why did Bonnie Lou nettles were camping in gold. Beach Oregon there had been Another comet in the sky called CO tech. They believed it was the harbinger. Their religious activity in nineteen. Seventy three initially coating was called the comment of the century. It was supposed to be the brightest comment observed to date, but as it got closer to earth it sold out similar to apple waited nettles predicted. Demonstration but now a nineteen. Ninety six here was hailed bog and it lived up to all of the hype. So right that it could be seen without a telescope even in law, large cities, with lots of light pollution, people all over the world were looking up at the Heavens, watching the comet.

If that wasn't a sign from the next level. What was heavens, Gate posted a new message on their website red alert. Hale Bob brings closure to Heaven's gate. They were being called home messages The next level quote made it clear to Us that Hale Bob's approach is the marker. We ve been waiting for the time for, the arrival of the spacecraft from the level above human to take us home to their world in the literal heavens in January of nineteen. Ninety seven Heaven's gate started making arrangements to leave the planet they chose March. second as their initial exit. Eight according to astronomers, that was when Hale Bopp would make its nearest approach to earth. It was also auspiciously times with Easter. On March thirtieth that gave the group

almost three months to prepare they'd already liquidated all of their assets in an estate sale a few months earlier, and they use some of that money to travel. The group rented charter bus and headed up north to gold Beach Oregon the slightest Applewhite and Bonnie Lou Nettles epiphany. They treated it like a religious pilgrimage, visiting a holy site, Heaven's gate also hit the LAS Vegas Strip. They stayed in stratosphere, hotel and casino, probably because the art the texture resembles a flying saucer. Their ledger noted that they budgeted three thousand five hundred dollars for general expenses, and nineteen hundred others for members to gamble with and they entered the trip in the blue winning almost sixty dollars from the gaming tables and slot machines, not to mention the twenty they found on the sidewalk afterward. They headed back to the summit Bedroom mansion. They were currently renting in Rancho Santa FE, an upper class suburb of San,

deal there. Vacation wasn't over the girl, when, on more outings hitting up Seaworld in the San, Diego Zoo, they ate out several local restaurants. They even popped across the border for a quick visit to Tijuana, but it wasn't all day trips and dinners. The class also had practical matters to attend to for one thing, What were they going to wear on graduation day haven't gated always followed a unisex dress code of loose, long, sleeved, shirts and pants. As we mentioned, previous episode wearing the same interchangeable clothes, not only helped them downplay their gender, but may. I feel more united as a crew, but no about to join a real next level crew, so they needed real uniforms. They purchase some fabric and got to work, the design of Heaven's Gates exit

forms has commonly been compared to something you'd see on STAR Trek and the similarity there was intentional. The group had watched a lot of star trek movies. And STAR Trek the next generation tv episodes to them. It was a good representation of what life in them Next level was really like to mimic, the uniforms worn by starfleet, they sewed pants and long sleeved button down shirts from thick black material. The shirts all had two pockets near the waist and pleading on the front on either side of the buttons almost like a touch speedo shirt and on each of their left shoulders. They attached a triangle shaped patch: it read Heaven's gate away. Team Sir did my stitched constellation of stars and, of course, Hale Bob. They were the awaiting because they ve been sent down from the next level. Like a scouting mission, Apple White explained we ve been away, and now we're going back

To complete their uniforms, they bought thirty nine matching pairs of black and white Nike decades. Sneakers Applewhite apparently chose them because he both like the way they looked and he was able to get a good deal for the bulk order. The members apparent gates were very aware that the outside world wouldn't understand what they were about to do. The reaction to their latest recruitment efforts had made that abundantly clear people just didn't want to believe the truth of the next level. so to make sure that their story and their intentions were represented properly a few days before their exit. They say down for videotaped interviews, thirty five other Any members gave a recorded statement, including Marshall, APP alight. They refer to them as exit videos. Apple White was interviewed first on March Nineteenth and his record was the longest of the group. Among other things, he clarified that there

exit should not be called a suicide. He said, emphatically. Suicide is separation from the kingdom when the kingdom has reached out and offered life to you, it is, suicide aside, not to leave he added. We are about how to regain life. Twenty seven exit videos suggests the rumours are brainwashing that had dogged heavens gate from the earliest days. They knew people saw them as a college, but that's not how they saw themselves. Members had free will to do what they wanted, and this was what they all want it, sorority who had joined Heaven's gate in nineteen. Seventy six explained people the other side of the camera. You'll say you are delayed or you are brainwashed or whatever, but from my perspective, this is a godsend it Saudi who joined in nineteen. Ninety four stressed in her statement. We are while choosing of our own free will to go to the next level, with but wait and nettles, and they are

certainly not what the media is going to paint them out to be members made it your how much they loved their teachers. Thirty two, of them directly thanked Apple, white and nettles, for leading them down this path and providing them with the opportunity to graduate they knew that their older members had worked so hard and so much to free them from their human chains. No roadie, one of the earliest converts said: tearfully we I'll try to prove to our older members that we are worthy of their effort and the sacrifice they made at the heart of all of it was their unshakeable belief that this world was not for them. They simply did not belong at this planet. They had no attachment to there. Vehicles, one member referred to it as an old used car. Twenty six of the exit videos expressed how disgusted they were with their human bodies and the trappings of human life.

Devote was the last person to join Heaven's gate in August of nineteen. Ninety six. She left behind her husband for young children, and she felt there is nothing here for me. I want to look forward keep my eye on apple, white and metals. That's my path! Above all else, they were excited thirty. The videos talked about how over joy they were to. Finally graduate it was everything they ve been waiting for. Live voting. Who was part of apple whites? Inner circle said we are very happy and. Proud to have been members of the class and couldn't be happier about what we're about to do Di explained I'll, be happy to get this suit of clothes off and put on a brand new fresh set with new vibrations and being a new atmosphere in all of the thirty five statements, the members of Heaven's gate spoke clearly and confidently. There were points when

it showed some emotion, some sadness. but it was only when they mentioned Bonnie Lou Nettles, who they were still mourning other than that was all smiles. Even some jokes, Juno who'd, been with the group for twenty two years, concluded We might see you all again and then we might not, but we hope that you remember us as we were, and not how other people are going to try and tell you that we are, and one last thing we'd like to say, is thirty: nine to beam up they'd spent months, preparing decades really and a few days after recording the exit videos. They set their meticulous plans in motion coming up Heaven's gate graduates, This episode is brought to you by Ali Battery running low, no, not that one. Your internal battery well good NEWS Ali has delicious vitamins and supplements to keep you feeling unstoppable from sleep and mood support to beauty and immunity boosters.

helps you rest, recharge and charge had burst into the new year Ali little dummies with big benefits plague regarding Wiley DOT com- that's o l, o y dot com to shop. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease. Now back to the story, Rio De Angelo joined Heaven's gate in nineteen. Ninety four and he'd been happy inside the group dedicated to reaching the next level, but a few weeks before their exit. In March of nineteen, ninety seven he was struggling, consume by an uneasy feeling. He approached Marshall. Applewhite and confessed, he felt like something was pulling him away from the group. Maybe this wasn't his true destiny. Apple White, listen to Rio's concerns and eventually agreed. He leave in fact may be there

was part of the next levels plan for him, his higher purpose. It was a curious idea and whether or not Apple white explain At the time, Rio certainly knew what it meant when he received a package in the mail from Heaven's gate. Shortly after he left, the group included some the his floppy disks and a letter, the letter explained by now? You should be aware that we have exited our vehicles just as we entered them Rios thirty nine former classmates had. Finally graduated passed on through Heaven's gate, you discovered that the Vhs tapes contained the thirty five exit videos. The floppy disks held backup, copies of all their classroom materials, It was an insurance policy to make sure the teachings of Heaven's gate lived on and it wasn't.

Only when they set a handful of other people, mostly former members, received packages to two members who left the group in the late eighties promised to serve as webmasters, and they still maintain the Heavens gate site to this day. As strangers insurance, Heaven's gate, mailed, floppy disks, with all the information to host their website to contact in Poland and Brazil. If the If the government tried to shut down their site, they wanted to make sure it could be repurposed did on an international server. As far as we can tell that never happened, but of all the recipients. Reality Angelo was the closest geographic to their rented mansion in Rancho Santa FE, so he likely received the news first. On March, twenty sixth, Rio decided that he needed to see it for himself of friends. them down from LOS Angeles, and he went to the house what he thought it was shocking, but nodded all surprising. He called nine one. One telling the operator-

report an anonymous tip. This is regarding a mass suicide, and I can give you the address when an officer from the San Diego Sheriffs Department entered the house, the smell that greeted him can firms that not only had someone died here, but they'd likely been deceased for a couple of days. Even still, nothing could have truly prepared authorities for what they found: thirty, nine identical bodies dressed in matching uniforms and sneakers all, but two of laying the bed in the same pose arms at their sides, a purple shroud covering their head and torso sitting next to each of them, a pack bag. Initially ports claimed that all of the deceased were mail. This was likely because of Heavens Gates, standardized short, hair cut style. Eventually, authorities confirmed that the group consisted of twenty one women and eighty men

ages, twenty six to seventy two. They all carried some form of identification in their pockets, drivers, licences, passports, birth certificates, as well as five dollars and seventy five cents. Some research has claimed that this was standard practice for the group. They was carried pocket money in case of emergency, but a former member explained, in Heavens, gate the cult of calls it has to do with an old mark TWAIN story. Here said that five dollars and seventy five cents was the cost to ride the tail of a comet to Heaven. As the investigation continued, a clear picture of events emerged, the details were about to walk through, might not be appropriate for every listener. Please keep this in mind and consider skipping ahead in the episode, if that's what's best for you, the members of Heaven's gate exited their vehicles in three waves

de on March, twenty second, there were likely fifty. members in the first group team in the second and nine in the third, as was standard in Heaven, skate they reach, follow them. Same identical procedure to exit authorities found copies of their instructions in some of their pockets. They thought oh Derek Humphries methodology from the book they'd purchased years before they each consumed lethal amount of barbecue its mixed into either pudding or applesauce. Their direction said to eat a few spoonfuls before stirring the drugs in to make sure there was enough room in the cop then eat the mixture as quickly as possible. to accelerate the effects of the sedatives they drank vodka. Finally, they were instructed to lay down, relax and fall asleep This combination of drugs and alcohol would have induced a fatal all on its own, but as Dr Greg and told the LOS Angeles Times, because this

the long acting barbiturate. It takes a long time to die from it, which is probably why there was one play. Step after they fell asleep? Another member placed a plastic bag over their head and tied it with a plastic band, suffocating them once they died, the bag was removed and they were covered with the shroud. The coroner reported the first group I, with this plan and the second group, sort of assisted them cleaned up after them after they had died, then the third team helped the second team and they were finally down to two people who were not shrouded with these sheets. We believe that who were the last ones and they did have plastic bags over their heads. The purple shroud spoke to the religious nature of Heaven's gates actions and they might have been related to Easter, which was only a few days away in the Bible. Jesus wore purple robe as he carried the cross to his crucifixion, but sociologists is Robert Baldwin David Taylor also noted.

purple? Was Bunny Lou, nettles, favorite color, based on the estimated time of death Marshall Applewhite exited with the second group authorities, discovered his body last On a king sized bed in the master bedroom, his hops showed that his fears of dying from cancer were unfounded, though he did have advanced heart disease, in many ways. Apple waited finally delivered on the promised demonstration he had predicted decades earlier that the world would witness his death and his ascension to the next level, where he live for by sending out their materials, including a literal press release, and by leaving behind Such a dramatic tableaux he'd ensured that big capture, the public's attention sociologist Robert Baltic commented what's amazing about this. To me, is that

it's such a tiny little group in the grand scheme of things so insignificant. But now twenty something years later, people are still talking about the group. It's in all the books on colts Every encyclopedia of unconventional religions therein there and they will be for who knows how long? Indeed, by the right March. Twenty six, the Heaven's gate suicides were headline news. The body count alone was shocking. Thirty, nine people it was the largest mass suicide in the country. To date, then President Bill Clinton called it heartbreaking and sickening Did it happened at a multi million dollar Mansion and Rancho Santa FE? This was an upscale Neighborhood home to celebrities several rest, and interacted with Heaven's gate over the last six months. They were quite, It's unassuming, if not a little odd, but no one expected this. The public was struck by the meticulous planning.

Heaven's gate had made sure that the house would be left clean and spotless. They had taken the trouble to pay off a two dollar. Fifty cent library find the day before exiting footage from inside the mansion was eventually released by the police haunting. Images of the members of Heaven's gate lying still in their beds in identical, poses wearing identical uniforms covered by identical shrouds, the were commented that it had all been sort of immaculately carried out. There was no sound the struggle or violence of any kind. No blood at the scene, just like they'd expressed in their exit, videos they'd all laid down their vehicles. Willingly authorities agreed this was a voluntary situation It was clear how the suicides had happened. The evidence was all there, but the question of. Why was a lot more challenging, because the explanation,

At Heaven's gate provided in their materials did make any sense to outsiders. God in Asia and in the next level, and they were going to be picked up by a spaceship trailing Hale bought. It was perceived as nonsense. How could thirty, nine, seemingly healthy, competent adults kill themselves? Well, the public engaged in little bit of cognitive dissonance of their own. They thought the members of Heaven's gate must not have been competent. That was the only way to explain it. They were lunatics brainwashed, idiots case closed It was a lot easier for everyone to sensationalize. The group turn them into a joke than to let the uncomfortable question of why linger Instigate became a punchline on late night, talk shows and Saturday night live. To really understand why they did this. You have to confront it even more difficult question. Did the members of Vince Gate really die by suicide or were they in effect,

by Marshall. Applewhite Benjamin Zeller argues that we should treat Heaven's gate like a religion. He points out. all the ways, their beliefs and behaviors fit the trappings of a religious movement, even though they seemed extreme To outsiders and in his opinion, the Heaven's Gate suicide. lights, were a religious act, an expression of absolute faith and devotion. What is the things that sellers highlights is the concept of suicide itself by one thousand nine hundred and ninety six? The group had completely redefine its meaning and their view. Willfully departing your vehicle. Wasn't suicide. Applewhite White wrote, the true meaning of suicide is to turn against the next level when it is being offered. Hale Bopp was the offering the promise that it was time to exit, so they abandoned their vehicles, not because they wanted to die, but because that was the only way to enter

God's kingdom, so argument gives us context for Heaven's gates intentions. However, just because the group redefined suicide for themselves doesn't mean that the reality was any different, no matter the justification, they did I and sociological Yon your Lala argues that the redefinition of suicide put the members of Heavens Gate and in no way scenario in spite of what members claimed in their exit videos, there was no free will, by the end Marshall Applewhite, had left them with only two choices and both were suicide. If they left the group and remained on earth, it was a metaphorical suicide. They were damning themselves to the hell.

It was this planet or they could abandon their vehicles in a physical suicide and ascend to Heaven, with the rest of their classmates. The only family, they'd known for almost twenty years, it may have been framed as free will, but it was an illusion of choice and her argument was probably best demonstrated by the fact that in the months following Heaven Gate sex it- at least Reformer former members died by suicide, one of them even wore their own version of the uniform with an away team patch. That's how potent Heaven's Gates World view was even leaving, and maybe that mean seller is right. The suicides were about face not coercion, but by in the center of their faith, was Marshall Apple White and even if he claimed his instead actions came from the next level. The rest of the group acted at his direction.

Lodge also provides an argument beyond the religious framing that give some important context. Life inside, of Heavens, gate was a constant daily struggle against every human impulse. They had to have constant awareness, constant vigilance to make sure they were living up to the standards of an ex level apple white standards. They accepted how difficult this was because they believed that one day the struggle would end and that, would be the day they graduated one. Former member described this atmosphere shortly after joining the group in nineteen seventy five, he wrote it is this condition of continual strain that does the work. It is this go on the porch against the forces of fatigue. Doubt indulgence irritation that keeps us changing. Surely we would rejoice in the endless struggling because it is the fire of our conversion, for there is an ending to it, and on that day we will know our rewards, so put yourself

in their shoes for a minute, three quarters of the members who died by suicide had been living with the struggle for twenty years, waited twenty years to be by their older member. You finally did it. You can finally claim your reward. So when they sit in the exit videos, how excited they were? How proud they were. It wasn't because they were happy, they were dying. It was because they were finally worthy. They thought that everything they'd gone through had meant something by that point, suicide felt like a relief Does that amount to murder? Jan your knowledge says? Yes, the systems that Applewhite put in place left Heaven's gate with no other option than death even for some members who were no longer part of the group was that Applewhite

tension all along. Probably not. It was more of a tragic ripple effect caused by Bonnie Lunatics death. In fact, apple White completely absorbed himself of all responsibility. He didn't tell anyone what to do. It all came from above, he was just the messenger. It was his own version of cognitive dissonance and excuses, his ego, even if the suicides were a religious act, we still have to acknowledge that Applewhite had censured himself in that faith as Jesus would, a truly devout person ever be able to refuse him. Probably not in an earlier episode. We talked about the idea of a seeker. People joined Heaven's gate because they were Searching for answers and felt that me, Lou nettles and martial apple white could provide them, and this applies to the later converts too. In the second round of recruitment, one member explained in her exit video. I think every

In this class wanted something more than the human world had offer. They were. Some type of goodness some type of rightness that they did not feel in this world, a lot of them already felt like outsiders in their lives aliens before they'd, even heard of the next level, beyond faith Heaven's gate, provided them with acceptance? they were all part of the same crew. No one better smarter, funnier or happier than any one else. Heavens gate was a level playing field. You can see how there's comfort in that, even if it was comfort in a cage and maybe that's why? They're a handful of former members who still subscribe to the teachings of Heaven's gate to this day. Rio DE who alerted authorities to the suicides remains a fervent believe. and advocate for the group. He said In two thousand and seven I'm alive, not because I read did anything about. Heaven skate I'm alive because I have to say

Read something so extraordinarily important to the world that it needs to be passed on to you in its most true, an accurate form from me mark and Sarah King, who maintain the Heavens Gate website, still believe Del reached next level, one day they left the group in ninety in eighty seven, not because they lost their faith, but because they fell in love with each other. They wrote in two thousand and twenty everyone has a choice. Anyone who wants the next level can attain it. If not in this lifetime, then the next. This is the end of our Heaven's gate, anniversary special presented by cults. Thanks for listening, you can fight all loads of colds and all other Spotify originals from podcast for free on Spotify will see you next time cults. As a Spotify original from podcast. It is executive produced by MAX

and run Cutler Sound, designed by Michael Motion with production systems by Rancheria Oh Trent, Williamson, Curly, Madden and Bruce Couteau Village. This episode of cults was written by Abigail Cannon, with writing assistance by Kate Gallagher fact, checking by clear cronan and research by Brian Petrus Cult, stars, Gregg, pulsing and Vanessa Richardson, werewolves witches and Arthur Conan Doyle. Oh, my sounds like fascinating topic. to discuss on our new show rituals Christine you know, I am it sure, does Money on rituals join us as we explore the evolution of spiritualism and the occult through stories, practices and the impact on modern culture. If you ve heard our podcast and that's why we drink this is the perfect pairing for you and if you haven't go, give us a try followers. Fire original from Parkhurst rituals, listen free only on Spotify.