Videos inside Heaven's Gate house reveal those lured into cult: 20/20 ‘The Cult Next Door’ Preview

Diane Sawyer reports on the kind, intelligent people who walked away from their daily lives, careers, families, friends and even young children to join a group led by Marshall Herff Applewhite.
Former members who shared their experiences for the first time, loved ones of deceased followers and authorities who worked on the case spoke with Diane Sawyer about the Heaven's Gate tragedy.

Cult members were required to follow an extremely structured schedule while living under Marshall Herff Applewhite’s direction, like attending hours-long lectures and being told when to shower.

#2020 #HeavensGate #CultNextDoor

[royalbloodedledgend]

You could tell somethings wrong with this family gathering because everyone’s getting along too well.

[cassie]

Don’t under estimate every humans need to belong somewhere. All the accolades mean nothing if you don’t feel like they belong anywhere. That’s why cults are able to thrive.

[elmerkilred]

It just goes to show you that anyone can be brainwashed.
But, not everyone can be a hair stylist.

[finestkindmedicinal]

There are times I'm so glad I'm an introvert that loves solitude, hates crowds and never like to be in a group

[ericcampos]

Perfect example of how lost people truly are. They believe anything.

[chantallaflamme]

For those who missed it, the cult lasted for over twenty years before they committed suicide. Some of these people had been brainwashed for two decades and some others were probably born into it (assuming they were conceived before the castration occurred).

[AlbinoCrow]

I think what made them join the cult is the feeling of belongingness. They are skilled and smart and successful but lonely. That is why they are hypnotized by the cult. They want a tight-knit family that they never had. Do is their father figure and maybe they love him so much because of the security he gives of being so sure. These people are smart but not sure. Do is psychotic, confident. and so sure.

[the_kingdom]

It's so sad that there have been, are currently and will be in the future people who allow themselves to be led into cults. What's even sadder are any children who are unknowingly led into cults by their own parents.

[TheMeowmix]

Subject matter aside, whoever did the voiceover on this video is awesome! Writing in the description like that is the most inclusive thing I have seen on YouTube so far. Thank you! Thank you thank you! This is a perfect example of how to include everybody when producing a documentary. Even blind people, yes, we watch TV too.

[SammysMom]

There just something about every single person's eyes and how empty or lost they looked. The before pictures of some of them makes me so sad for their families. And the air or desperated look of them wanting to please that man so badly

[bdflatlander]

Yep.

In my younger days (I’m 68) I had a need to feel like I belonged in a group somewhere but as I have gotten older I very much value my solitude.

I also would much rather be by myself than be with people I find disagreeable and unpleasant.

[freedomfyter]

They all look drained of life. Like life was sucked out of them.

[judeinLA.]

Images of that man and Moe’s haircuts used to scare me as a kid.

Who am I kidding?! It still does. Goosebumps Galore

[beneaththefloorboards]

Something I think a lot of people don't realize is that a fair amount of high achievers are driven by feelings of inadequacy. ... Sad all around.

[dryb]

Well those people were right, she HAS completely lost her marbles

[RoentX]

I still remember watching the mass suicide on the news, or very shortly after. It’s disturbing on how skillful manipulators can bend weak minded people to his or her will.

[sylviabennan]

it’s just heartbreaking. wish they hadn’t been dragged into the ridiculous, zany world of that conman. look him up: he’s got charles manson eyes... out of his mind.

[loveecreations]

They all have this weird look in their eyes, like they’re not in the driver seat of their body anymore.

[CurtisEFlush-sjsn]

a remember being a kid when all of this happened, it has always fascinated me.

[bamamom]

If there were a “cult” that didn’t wish to die, who spread love and positivity, who advocated for those weaker than themselves…….I would cheer them on…..but this? It’s all about the leader. They take vulnerable people who just want a purpose and to belong and destroy them.