I'm watching a program about Heaven's Gate on The Learning Channel

[rocktivity]

After seeing Marshall Applewhite again after so many years, all I can ask is what I asked when I first laid eyes on him: "HOW THE HELL CAN ANYONE HAVE TAKEN THIS GUY SERIOUSLY?"



:crazy:
rocknation

[kskiska]

1. A few days ago the History Channel had a show on Jonestown

Same deal.

[Orrex]

2. This amazes me

I thought that TLC (known formerly as The Learning Channel) only ran programs about home remodelling and motorcycle customization.

I'm astonished to hear that they still play anything that actually provides information. When did this fundamental change of policy take place?

[UTUSN]

3. YOU laid eyes on him? But an answer: Like all cultists, he salvaged what the parents threw away

That's what MANSON said.

[rocktivity]

9. I meant when I first saw a photo of him after the deaths, of course

It was a decade ago, but I still remember that I could practically hear him saying, "I'm nuttier than a squirrel dropping!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[hlthe2b]

4. He always reminded me of...

(aka Dr. Smith from the 60s show, Lost in Space)

[Individualist]

5. How the hell

can anyone have taken THIS guy seriously??

[Warpy]

6. Charisma only works in person

Lots of people find Stupid charismatic (although I didn't many years ago), and most say he's charming in person (although I didn't think so, but he was hardly at his best).

Psychopaths are always very charming. Just don't get close to them, or try to. That's when you find out they're not all there and that's when you get hurt.

Closed groups headed by one charismatic figure are always most dangerous to themselves. Isolation from the rest of humanity means the removal of the only reality check most of them have: other people doing other things. The control by the central figure/guru/second coming/whatever becomes complete and the rest of the world is viewed as a dangerous, toxic place.

And that's how he did it, castrations and all.

[Cleita]

7. Disturbing, isn't it?

Yet, he did what most religions do and that is to persuade their followers to accept their reality in place of true reality. The difference is that most religions stop short of persuading their followers to kill themselves. I think the wacko Republican followers like the freepers and dittoheads are no different from those cultists.

Accepting what they have accepted as American, preemptive war, torture, character assassination and for all we know may be real assassination of those who oppose them is right in line with these cults' M/O whether religious or political. Fortunately, the mental grip on these people seems to be loosening and the light of reason is starting to shine through. Try as they may to discredit Valerie Plame, it's not working. I think there is hope.

[valerief]

8. That's what I ask about Bush every day. nt

[ComerPerro]

10. dammit i knew I would forget to watch that