HEAVENS GATE

HISTORY

• Founded by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles
• Applewhite believed he and Bonnie were "the two" mentioned in revelations.
• Started in 1972
• Applewhite believed he was directly related to Jesus.
• Changed names to Ti and Do and later Bo and Peep.

BELIEFS

• Believed that the earth was an alien experiment to create higher beings.
• Sent Jesus to jumpstart progress.
• After his death Jesus was carried away through a spaceship.
• The Earth will soon be recycled and the only way to get off of earth is to attain a "higher state of being."

SALVATION

• To access the "higher level" one must shed all earthly desires and dedicate themselves entirely to the church.
• Give up all possessions, sex, friends, family, and individuality.
• If they do this they will be taken into a spaceship after death and travel to the "kingdom of heaven."

MASS SUICIDE

• Believed the comet Hale-Bopp was a spaceship meant to take them to heaven.
• Bought a mansion in San Diego.
• Members consumed phenobarbital and put plastic bags over they're heads.
• Applewhite, including 38 members of the group, died.
• 2 of the 3 remaining members committed suicide afterwards.
• Only one member still alive.

METHODS OF ATTACK

• Primarily pamphlets and public demonstrations.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

• There is no other Jesus.
• Salvation is accessible to all.
• Jesus was the son of God.