A local author investigates San Diego's fringe religions

By Thomas Fudge / Science and Technology Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 9, 2006 at 9:00 PM PDT

This story was published more than 18 years ago.

San Diego is home to famous "UFO religions" such as Heaven's Gate in Rancho Santa Fe and the Unarius Academy of Science in El Cajon. A local author identifies these groups as part of a changing trend

San Diego is home to some of the most famous "UFO religions" - Heaven's Gate in Rancho Santa Fe and the Unarius Academy of Science in El Cajon. Although many dismiss these groups as cults, local author J.C. Hallman argues that these smaller religious groups demonstrate a changing trend of religion in the U.S. today. Host Tom Fudge examines the role of these so-called "fringe religions," and finds out why it is important to celebrate religious variety in today's society.

Guest:

Become a KPBS sponsor

J.C. Hallman , banister writer-in-residence at Sweet Briar College and author of the non-fiction book, The Devil Is a Gentleman: Exploring America's Religious Fringe .