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Ash Kelley

👤 Speaker
2517 total appearances

Appearances Over Time

Podcast Appearances

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Mr. Matthews.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

That was when I was like, whoa, Mr. Matthews.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

We've talked about, I think every time we talk about a cult, we're like, Mr. Matthews.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

I hope it was.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

And I hope Mr. Matthews showed up on the spot and was like, the spaceship didn't come and you're coming with us, baby.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

They can't have you.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

No, we're going to feed you dinner tonight.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Yeah, I'm sure it was.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

So in addition to the mass exodus of people who I definitely know lived a happier life.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Yeah, I'm going with that.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Things took a turn for the worse when the press got involved and started accusing the two leaders of brainwashing.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Yeah, a grift.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

A grift, exactly.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

At a time when concerns about the danger of cults was beginning to spread around the US, nothing could have been more harmful to their movement.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

So in response, Bonnie Nettles announced in 1976 that the group would no longer hold public meetings.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Oh.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

And instead, they shifted their focus to giving private lectures.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

Oh, okay.

Morbid
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy

I said, wow.