Cult Leader Buried Alive

December 16, 2004 4:45 AM

Cult leader proves his divinity by being buried alive and resurrecting himself. Except for the resurrecting bit. Good show for trying though
posted by criticalbill (26 comments total)

If the ownership of cult assets and property wasn't involved this would be a classical Darwin Awards case.
posted by nkyad at 5:02 AM on December 16, 2004

If only Falwell, Van Impe and Robertson would try and fail at this too.
posted by substrate at 5:08 AM on December 16, 2004

[Disclaimer] Van Impe is a cousin once or twice removed.
posted by substrate at 5:09 AM on December 16, 2004

These seems more like The Cask of Amontillado than some sort of cult stunt. The article doesn't say anything about the cult leader doing this to "prove his divinity" or even if the cult leader did this of his own free will.
posted by sciurus at 5:10 AM on December 16, 2004

The linked story seems to suggest that the cult leader was entombed against his will.
posted by veedubya at 5:11 AM on December 16, 2004

The article doesn't say anything about the cult leader doing this to "prove his divinity" or even if the cult leader did this of his own free will.

I sort of assumed that they hadn't just murdered him, but instead challenged him. Otherwise why didn't they murder him first and then bury him.
posted by criticalbill at 5:26 AM on December 16, 2004

Murder is hard.
posted by numble at 5:31 AM on December 16, 2004

How do you know he wasn't reincarnated instead of resurrected? He could be a potted plant now or a dolphin or something. Sheesh..... damn skeptics.
posted by spilon at 5:32 AM on December 16, 2004

If only Falwell, Van Impe and Robertson would try and fail at this too.
posted by substrate at 5:08 AM PST on December 16


Yes, more like this please.
posted by nofundy at 5:32 AM on December 16, 2004

Who's to say that he's not just biding his time. It took Christ three days didn't it? (IANAC).
posted by grahamspankee at 5:37 AM on December 16, 2004

So substrate, have you met cousin Jack and the lovely Rexella?
posted by picea at 5:50 AM on December 16, 2004

No, I've avoided every opportunity. Not that there were many. They've never been at family reunions for that side of the family or anything. Part of my family thinks that they're the greatest thing since sliced bread, the other part would help me mix the concrete and operate the front end loader to help them out with their future resurrection.
posted by substrate at 6:07 AM on December 16, 2004

I guess the guy got half of the stunt right.

Would that make him a demi-god?
posted by darkstar at 6:45 AM on December 16, 2004

into this new pseudo-religion

VS the actions of people into old actual religions.
posted by rough ashlar at 7:00 AM on December 16, 2004

Instead of a Darwin, what about an Ig Nobel?

ASTROPHYSICS
Dr. Jack and Rexella Van Impe of Jack Van Impe Ministries, Rochester
Hills, Michigan, for their discovery that black holes fulfill all the
technical requirements to be the location of Hell.
REFERENCE: The March 31, 2001 television and Internet broadcast of the
"Jack Van Impe Presents" program. (at about the 12 minute mark).
posted by rough ashlar at 7:02 AM on December 16, 2004

If indeed he was entombed by followers wanting him to prove his divinity that would be quite amusing. Either that or the Skeptics Society and The Amazing Randall have decided to get really tough!
posted by Vaska at 7:25 AM on December 16, 2004

I'm sure that in 2000 years ExaFilter will have a member called konolia-designate-theta-7 who insists that he was, indeed, resurrected.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:03 AM on December 16, 2004

Police said they believe that an internal struggle involving the ownership of the cult's property led to the four members sealing Mr. Song in what became his tomb.

It's always tough when a cult breaks up.
posted by Kafkaesque at 8:03 AM on December 16, 2004

criticalbill: "...Except for the resurrecting bit."

Great blurb text... made me laugh for some reason.

We need more witty submissions on MeFi, says I.
posted by TreeHugger at 9:30 AM on December 16, 2004

Article is gone...
posted by etoile at 10:54 AM on December 16, 2004

Four members of a religious cult that believes in resurrection and eternal life [...]

*cough*
posted by John Shaft at 11:15 AM on December 16, 2004

It's the cult that believes.
posted by pmbuko at 11:55 AM on December 16, 2004

I sort of assumed that they hadn't just murdered him, but instead challenged him. Otherwise why didn't they murder him first and then bury him.

Maybe I don't need my own new religion after all.
posted by davy at 11:59 AM on December 16, 2004

"The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion."
- L. Ron Hubbard
posted by caddis at 1:44 PM on December 16, 2004

I'm sure that in 2000 years ExaFilter will have a member called konolia-designate-theta-7 who insists that he was, indeed, resurrected.

That was a bit unnecessary.
posted by ninthart at 3:18 PM on December 16, 2004

France surrenders.
posted by undule at 3:31 PM on December 16, 2004