A UFO cult that believed in salvation through extraterrestrial intervention, but the leader apologized to his followers after making a failed apocalyptic prediction
Religion: Syncretic
Founder: Hon-Ming Chen
Founded: 1993
Ended: 1997
Location: Taiwan, later moved to the United States
Other Names: God’s Salvation Church, God Saves the Earth Flying Saucer Foundation
Chen Tao, also known as the True Way Cult, was a religious movement founded by Hon-Ming Chen, a former university professor, in 1993 in Pei-pu, Hsin-chu County, Taiwan. Originally emerging under the name God Saves the Earth Flying Saucer Foundation, the group underwent several name changes throughout its existence. It blended a variety of beliefs, including elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and popular religion, with a strong emphasis on UFOs and extraterrestrial intervention.
The group’s foundational beliefs were quite eclectic, mixing traditional Eastern religions with Western UFO mythology. Chen Tao was particularly known for its apocalyptic predictions, such as the return of Jesus Christ and the onset of large-scale natural disasters, as well as the imminent descent of God in a flying saucer. Hon-Ming Chen claimed to have direct communication with God, even asserting that he was the father of Jesus Christ. The key doctrine revolved around the belief that the world would face a great tribulation, and salvation would come through extraterrestrials who would rescue believers.
In the mid-1990s, Chen Tao relocated to the United States, initially settling in San Dimas, California, before moving to Garland, Texas, which members believed sounded like “God’s Land.” This move was part of a strategy to prepare for what they believed would be a significant celestial event. The relocation was driven by a prophecy that predicted the world would end in 1999 and that God would appear on American television in March 1998 to announce the end of the world. When these prophecies failed to materialize, the group faced significant disillusionment among its followers.
While in Garland, Chen Tao’s activities included unusual public displays such as riding bicycles through the streets in white robes to prepare for the descent of God’s kingdom. This behavior, coupled with their distinctive attire, drew significant media and public attention. Despite the high visibility and the dramatic nature of their beliefs, the group always maintained that they respected life, as evidenced by their adherence to strict vegetarianism. They denied any intentions of mass suicide, a concern heightened by the recent Heaven’s Gate tragedy.
The group’s members lived communally and led a disciplined lifestyle that included regular prayer meetings and study sessions. Chen Tao also placed a strong emphasis on moral living and the cultivation of virtues in line with their eclectic religious beliefs.
However, following the failure of their apocalyptic predictions, Chen Tao’s membership dwindled significantly. The failed prophecies led to internal strife and eventual dissolution of the group, leaving behind a legacy marked by its peculiar doctrines and the controversial and failed prophecies of its leader, Hon-Ming Chen. The organization’s decline raised questions about the psychological and social dynamics of new religious movements and cults.
image via Star Name Registry
