Chen Tao
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chen Tao is, or perhaps was, the name for a UFO group that originated in Taiwan. It was started by Hon-Ming Chen. He was born in 1955, but claimed to be atheist until a religious experience in 1992. He joined a New Age UFO group soon after that, but later broke with them creating his own group. Later the group moved to the USA settling first in San Dimas, California and then later in Garland, Texas.
Contents |
[edit] Beliefs
The group is/was a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, and UFOlogy. They emphasize(d) transmigration of souls and three souls per person. They placed great emphasis on spiritual energy as well. They also considered there to be "outside souls" who basically acted as demons.
They also believed that the Earth went through five tribulations going back to the age of the dinosaurs. Each of these tribulations were survived by beings living in North America who were rescued by God in a flying saucer. Added to that they believed the solar system is 4.5 trillion years old or roughly 300 times the age mainstream science gives for the entire Universe. Added to this they believe(d) that the solar system was created by a nuclear war.
[edit] Failed prophecy
The group is best known for a highly publicized, and failed, prophecy in 1998. Chen predicted that at 12:01 a.m. on March 25, 1998 God would be seen on channel 18 all across North America. Whether you had cable, or what channel you had for 18, was irrelevant to God's appearance on that channel. However when March 25 came and went without the predicted appearance the group became confused. Chen offered to be stoned or crucified for the event, but no one took him up on this offer. He had earlier made a false prediction of finding a "Jesus of the West" who would look like Abraham Lincoln.
[edit] Aftermath
Unlike groups like the Millerites Chen's group seems to have effectively fallen apart after failed prophecies. Immediately after the failed prediction some of the members had to return to Taiwan due to visa problems. In total roughly two-thirds abandoned the group. The rest moved to upstate New York. They also had a website for a time and set up a group in Brooklyn. They claimed that mankind had to become "100% spirit" and offered to do healings of cancers or AIDS.
Whether the group still exists is at best unclear. The group had entered a sharp decline after the failed prophecies and virtually nothing is heard of them after 2001. The current whereabouts of Hon-Ming Chen are unknown.
