The Heaven’s Gate incident of 1997 stands as one of the most infamous examples of people going to extreme lengths in pursuit of their beliefs. A UFO cult, Heaven’s Gate combined aspects of mainstream religion with science-fiction and an approach to the Millenium that has become notorious.
The story of Heaven’s Gate illustrates a belief in a divine plan for the universe that has been present throughout human history. As such, it serves as a stark reminder both about the power faith can have over people and how easy it can be for individuals to become caught up in radical ideas.
In March 1997, 39 members of Heaven’s Gate committed mass suicide at their compound in California after interpreting a message from Hale-Bopp comet as an outer-space sign for them to ascend to the next level of spiritual existence. This tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of intense media attention, resulting in massive public outcry and confusion about what had happened inside the group and why its members had chosen to take their own lives.
One way to understand this event more fully is through ‘Heaven’s Gate: The Cult Of Cults’, HBO Max’s latest documentary series on the subject. Directed by Clay Tweel (‘Finders Keepers’) and produced by Mark and Jay Duplass (‘The Puffy Chair’), this
