Hello Amigos! (and Amigas)
Or, are we non-gender binary. I don't even know anymore.
Anyways...
Recently I visited an affluent San Diego suburb, Rancho Santa Fe. On March 26, 1997 (the year I graduated High School), San Diego deputies found the bodies of 39 members of Heaven's Gate who had participated in a mass suicide (coinciding with the Comet Hale-Bobb). Just before the mass suicide, the group updated their website:
"Hale-Bopp brings closure to Heaven's Gate...our 22 years of classroom here on planet Earth is finally coming to conclusion -- 'graduation' from the Human Evolutionary Level. We are happily prepared to leave 'this world' and go with Ti's crew."
Although the two kept a King James Bible, often reciting the verses, they were heavily into science fiction. They became known as Bo and Peep and later as Do and Ti. Many of their recruits came from diverse backgrounds and religious backgrounds, mostly being described as "truth seekers" and spiritual hippies. Bonnie died in the 80's and the fact that her body didn't ascend into outer space confused the group (and challenged their deeply held beliefs on physical ascension). So, they changed their doctrine to explain one would leave the constraints or prison of their earthly body to ascend into the "Next Level" and get their alien bodies. The two never had a sexual relationship and remained platonic friends. Although Nettle's husband eventually divorced her and took custody of the kids (citing abnormal relationship with Applewhite)...
Whoaaa wait whuuut? Heaven's Gate initially attempted castration of its male members by having a female nurse (also a member) perform the castrations. However, this didn't go so well. One member almost died and another member left the group (not wanting his possibilities chopped off...or maybe he didn't want a high pitched voice, we'll never know.
Here are the "Heaven's Gate" techniques (or 4 methods) to enter into the "Next Level":
1. A TELAH spacecraft physically picks one up and transfers them to a next level body aboard the space craft. This is considered a "UFO" version of the "Rapture." The body is then perfected through biological and chemical processes.
2. A natural, accidental, or death from random violence. The soul can then graduate for next-level body perfection.
3. Persecution that lead to death. Applewhite was extremely paranoid of the US Government after witnessing what happened with the Branch Davidians in Waco, TX and also the events at Ruby Ridge. He feared the government wanted to harm Heaven's Gate.
4. A willful exit from the body in a dignified manner. Applewhite had a vision that the cult...errr, I mean group might have to leave their human bodies to achieve the next level as Jesus had done. Applewhite didn't view suicide in a conventional way. Rather, he saw suicide as a denial of Next Level or refusing to believe the UFO religion.
Quick fact:
One of the recruits was from right here in Colorado! John Craig was a respected Republican and ranch owner who joined in 1975. He also came close to winning the 1970 Colorado House of Representatives race.
In 1996 the group found this 9200 SF fantastic home and began to rent it for $7,000 a month. Applewhite and his followers coined it, "The Monastery."
The Big Day! (Siting of Hale Bop)
All 39 members were dressed identically in black shirts and sweat pants (with armbands that read "Heaven's Gate Away Team") and each had a $5 bill and 3 quarters on his/her body. Each member donned brand new black and white Nike Decades athletic shoes. They all recorded a farewell statement for the "final exit." In Applewhite's closing statements, he said, "We do in all honesty hate this world."
To kill themselves, each member (21 women and 18 men ranging in age from 26 to 72) ingested phenobarbital mixed with pudding or apple sauces and chased it with Vodka. It is speculated that the mass suicide took 2 days and was done in teams (with each team cleaning up before taking their own lives).
Thanks for stopping in to Colorado Kimmie!
Love,
Kimmie
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