KallMeKris

some sources say 1964, after it was discovered that he began a sexual relationship with a male student.

Red flag number one.

Not because he's sleeping with another male, but he's cheating on his wife and it is a student and they're not supposed to do that.

Just want to clarify that.

And also, I don't know if this student was underage, but that's a massive red flag, obviously.

But such a relationship, both between teacher and student, and at this time, a homosexual one, was extremely scandalous and unacceptable in the 1960s in the Deep South.

So Marshall's secret was out, and one that no one had suspected.

So even though he was a married father, he had been wrestling with hidden homosexuality.

And Anne separated from him after learning of the affair in 1965, ultimately divorcing him in 1968.

And the breakup was civil, but it affected Marshall deeply, because he genuinely loved his wife and kids, but he was just unable to live the conventional life that was expected of him.

Which again, you know, at this point, as long as the kid wasn't underaged or anything, and obviously he cheated on his wife, there's no, you know, criminal, you know, he's not killing animals, he's not doing all this stuff.

But he is doing the thing that falls into what a lot of cult leaders that we've gone over, the Children of God guy, the Jim Jones guy, and that is failing at something that they are so determined to do.

And right now that's...

music or becoming a star he can't do that and it's like a mid it's always almost always a you know late 20s early 30s to even 40s like midlife crisis failing after failing after failing and also being charismatic also being relatively smart also just being able to public speak it's like all those things together just create this perfect albeit horrible cult leader

So we're seeing that recipe over and over again and we see it with Heaven's Gate and we see it with Marshall Applewhite.

But anyway, his sister would later recall a story of how he once got a tree outside of Christmas time and painted and decorated it just so the kids could have something fun in the house.

And it was just one small example of the type of father he was.

And the aftermath of the school affair affected Marshall's relationship with his father.

and Marshall finally came out to his parents, hoping they would understand.

But sadly, Marshall Sr.