It got me thinking... exactly when does a group become dangerous?
Heaven’s Gate didn’t suddenly become dangerous because they asked their members to kill themselves. They were dangerous long before that... the moment they shut out the world, fixated on an apocalypse, dictated their members clothes and behavior, they were dangerous.
What makes a cult dangerous is not what they make their followers do, it’s what their followers would be willing to do to stay faithful to the group.
All cults are going to have similarities to Watchtower. But it got me wondering, if WT simply asked their members to commit suicide, or to go on a mass murder spree so they’ll “save” the ones they murder since they’ll be resurrected, how many would do it?
What if the GB themselves go on a suicide or murder spree? They already think they’re going to “ascend” to heaven, and immediately murder 99.9% of the planet.
That power is already in the GB’s hands. The power to override people’s instincts, their own individual identity and morality in favor of the group. WT is already extremely dangerous.
What our your thoughts? If WT commanded something like this, how many would go along with it? What do you think is the most extreme thing you can see the GB eventually doing?
Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp_5pDOa-o0
I binge-watched it the other day, I really liked it. Surprisingly I didn't know all that much about the pre-suicides history of Heaven's Gate, and it was a really good primer. The animations were absolutely beautiful as well.
Poor Frank, his story broke my heart.
Seriously, the stuff they taught sounds like a lot of the of shit Alex says on a regular basis.
I'm like Whoa!! I shouldn't be surprised but a lot of similarities with JW cult mindset! I've been watching with PIMI spouse and I just love blurting out JW terminology that lined up with the Heavens Gate activities. Up to now, I've been able to blurt out "preaching campaign", "apostacy", "meetings". My spouse knows where I stand (PIMO), but I'm slowly trying to help with the waking up process. A definite MUST SEE, i'd say.
I just finished it last night. It was really worth it. It had all the elements of other cults, but it somehow concluded because it avoided the three things that generally bring down other cults.
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The leader did not end up trying to sleep with everyone he could.
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Their apocalypse was not tied to all the world, as all the other cults do.
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Their leader committed suicide with all the rest of them, rather than dying on his own.
It was fascinating. I'd be interested in anyone else's thoughts on it.
Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp_5pDOa-o0
I found the examination of how people could be sucked into such an irrational situation fascinating. The Heaven's Gate members seem extraordinarily naive and trusting to me.
It's also heartbreaking, for example the woman who's parents left her at age 10 to join the cult, or the guy who *still* thinks he "failed the test" by leaving before the mass suicide.
If you're interested in "why people believe weird things" this is really worth a watch.
Anyone else watched it? What did you think?
I was wondering if anyone else had a chance to catch this 4-part documentary on HBO Max called Heaven's Gate: Cult of Cults, and get their thoughts on mass suicide and sexuality. Something I caught while watching this series but was not featured, is the fact that the head of Heaven's Gate was gay along with several of it's followers yet there was very little mention in it's episodes. I am curious if cults have a history of queer people coming together as a means of fitting within a group for survival.
I will state that I am queer and find it odd that the documentary had several sociologist that studied cults, and nobody made the connection that some of these people hid their sexuality. I am currently in school for sociology with an interest in civil and queer rights, and wanted to reach out to see if anyone knows where I can find a study on cults and sexuality. Specifically towards queer studies, and perhaps get your take on the subject.
For the record I mean no disrespect towards anyone in this matter and only seek to learn from people with more knowledge than myself. Thank you.
