Do you remember the "Heaven's Gate" UFO cult that committed mass-suicide in 1997 as a way to ascend to the Hale-Bop comet's companion craft? So does this week's guest, Benjamin Zeller. His new book Heaven's Gate: America's UFO Religion, examines Marshall Applewhite ("Bo") and his group of doomed believers and the emergence of new religion in the 21st Century. His book is an insightful, sobering examination into a darker side of UFO belief, and Ben will be this week's guest on the Paracast.
Benjamin E. Zeller is a researcher and teacher of religion in America. He focuses on religious currents that are new or alternative, including new religions, the religious engagement with science, and the quasi-religious relationship people have with food. Zeller serves as Assistant Professor of Religion at Lake Forest College, a private liberal arts college in suburban Chicago.
"Despite the extensive media coverage of the Heaven’s Gate suicides in 1997, no single-authored academic book has yet been written about this group. This volume thus fills an important gap. This is an extremely valuable book, which should be of interest not merely in academic circles, but more widely. Anyone who has an interest in new religions and wonders how a charismatic leader can persuade 39 people to commit collective suicide will find it a highly readable account of Marshall Herff Applewhite and his followers."
-George Chryssides, University of Birmingham
Please post your QUESTIONS here. We will be taping this Tuesday morning at 10 am (MT)
Benjamin E. Zeller is a researcher and teacher of religion in America. He focuses on religious currents that are new or alternative, including new religions, the religious engagement with science, and the quasi-religious relationship people have with food. Zeller serves as Assistant Professor of Religion at Lake Forest College, a private liberal arts college in suburban Chicago.
"Despite the extensive media coverage of the Heaven’s Gate suicides in 1997, no single-authored academic book has yet been written about this group. This volume thus fills an important gap. This is an extremely valuable book, which should be of interest not merely in academic circles, but more widely. Anyone who has an interest in new religions and wonders how a charismatic leader can persuade 39 people to commit collective suicide will find it a highly readable account of Marshall Herff Applewhite and his followers."
-George Chryssides, University of Birmingham
Please post your QUESTIONS here. We will be taping this Tuesday morning at 10 am (MT)