137, 2016). Situational contingencies consist of a person’s turning point in life, a person’s close intragroup affective bonds, their weakening of extra-group affective bonds, and a person’s intensive interactions. The people who became members of Heaven’s Gate are dissatisfied with the world’s current religions and their practices. The first theme or characteristic of situational contingency is the turning point is one’s life. The turning point or points in one’s life can be in the form of them losing a job, dropping out of college, lost someone close, and/or recently being informed that they have an illness. Lofland points out that “Some types of turning points stimulate the meaning and belonging needs more profoundly than do others” (Roberts & Yamane pg. 137, 2016), Applewhite and Nettles started to proselytize new members by telling them to drop everything and come with them. Zeller inform use that “They targeted groups and individuals associated with new and alternative religions and holistic living in their mailing” (Zeller pg. 33, 2014), they introduced themselves as charismatic leaders with a new spiritual message to share with the world. They were able to recruit Clarence Klug with their approach. The second theme or characteristic of situational contingency is one’s close intragroup affective bonds with members in Heaven’s Gate. Lofland explains that for new members to be committed, recruits had to “Learn that affective levels of commitment precede moral levels of commitment” (Roberts & Yamane pg. 137, 2014), this was the best way to recruit because members traveled all over the country to recruit people they did not have a relationship with prior to their first encounters. The third theme or characteristic of situational contingency is individuals weakening of
137, 2016). Situational contingencies consist of a person’s turning point in life, a person’s close intragroup affective bonds, their weakening of extra-group affective bonds, and a person’s intensive interactions. The people who became members of Heaven’s Gate are dissatisfied with the world’s current religions and their practices. The first theme or characteristic of situational contingency is the turning point is one’s life. The turning point or points in one’s life can be in the form of them losing a job, dropping out of college, lost someone close, and/or recently being informed that they have an illness. Lofland points out that “Some types of turning points stimulate the meaning and belonging needs more profoundly than do others” (Roberts & Yamane pg. 137, 2016), Applewhite and Nettles started to proselytize new members by telling them to drop everything and come with them. Zeller inform use that “They targeted groups and individuals associated with new and alternative religions and holistic living in their mailing” (Zeller pg. 33, 2014), they introduced themselves as charismatic leaders with a new spiritual message to share with the world. They were able to recruit Clarence Klug with their approach. The second theme or characteristic of situational contingency is one’s close intragroup affective bonds with members in Heaven’s Gate. Lofland explains that for new members to be committed, recruits had to “Learn that affective levels of commitment precede moral levels of commitment” (Roberts & Yamane pg. 137, 2014), this was the best way to recruit because members traveled all over the country to recruit people they did not have a relationship with prior to their first encounters. The third theme or characteristic of situational contingency is individuals weakening of