Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"We're saying that planet Earth is about to be refurbished, spated under and have another chance to survive as a garden for another human civilization." — Marshall Applewhite (via transcript audio)
This episode of Last Podcast on the Left meticulously traces the origins and evolution of the Heaven's Gate cult, spearheaded by its enigmatic leader, Marshall Applewhite. The narrative begins by contextualizing Applewhite's personal struggles, including a heart attack and a stint in a psychiatric hospital, which served as a catalyst for his developing belief system. It highlights his initial interactions with Bonnie Nettles, who, according to the podcast, introduced the concept of being "different" and part of a "higher plane of consciousness," which Applewhite later interpreted as being an alien. The discussion emphasizes how this new-age spiritual framework, initially focused on transcending human limitations, gradually incorporated elements of science fiction and ancient alien theories.
As the podcast progresses, it details how Applewhite's ideology became more severe, advocating for the shedding of human attachments and sexuality, and eventually culminating in the belief that followers needed to shed their physical "vehicles" to ascend to a "Next Level." The death of Bonnie Nettles in 1985 is presented as a pivotal moment, during which Applewhite rationalized her passing as a deliberate departure to a spacecraft, reinforcing his extraterrestrial narrative. The episode also touches upon the cult's adoption of sci-fi elements, such as the "Away Team" patches, and their belief in "walk-ins" as alien intelligences inhabiting human bodies.
The narrative culminates in the events of 1997, particularly the sighting of the Hale-Bopp comet, which Applewhite interpreted as a sign that a spaceship was present to carry his followers to a higher plane. The podcast dissects the group's mass suicide, explaining their rationale for viewing it not as suicide but as an essential step for ascension. The logistical details of the suicides, including the use of phenobarbital mixed with applesauce and pudding, are discussed, along with the peculiar fashion choices of the cult members, such as their identical black sweatpants and Nike shoes, which were reportedly purchased because they were on sale. The episode concludes by emphasizing the cult's detachment from conventional human experience and their ultimate embrace of a fatalistic, alien-driven destiny.