Church Of The Subgenius

Church of the SubGenius

The Church of the SubGenius is either an extremely sinister cult, or (much to a greater extent than likely) an extremely elaborate practical joke feeding on the subculture of conspiracy theory. The Church claims to expose the truth according to J. R. “Bob” Dobbs: an alien, known every bit JHVH-1, had been masquerading every bit G-D but straightaway wanted it revealed that at that topographic point was a conspiracy created past times normal people to deplete the “slack” (the chance to effortlessly accomplish your goals) of the so-called “abnormal” people, known every bit SubGeniuses.

To this cease a church building was developed, ane that gleefully takes coin as well as teaches through poster as well as flyer art, “devival” meetings, as well as recorded rants (first broadcast on community radio stations as well as through tape trading, straightaway available on-line).

The master copy icon of the SubGenius motility is the trademarked example of “Bob’s” head, that of a middle-aged, grin white human being smoking a pipe, who looks every bit though he was cutting out of a 1950s advertisement.


The SubGenius concept was created past times Doug Smith (now known every bit the Reverend Ivan Stang) as well as Philo Drummond inwards the early on 1980s, as well as give-and-take was spread through flyers as well as pamphlets. Thirty dollars would purchase salvation, redemption, as well as the opportunity to seat “Reverend” earlier your name. This fee has later on been paid past times merely about 10,000 people over the years.

In outcome the Church has created a satiric commentary on religious observance as well as domination, conspiracy theory, as well as conventional morality. The “Rapture” of orthodox Christian faith is replaced past times the “Rupture,” revivals are replaced past times “devivals,” as well as hence on. SubGenii get together to rant nearly the globe as well as everything inwards it, every bit they waited for the coming of the Aliens on X-Day, 4 July 1998.

In the belatedly 1990s it appeared every bit though the Church would direct maintain to come across a crisis every bit X-Day approached. 4 July 1998 was to last the twenty-four hr stream that the aliens returned, as well as SubGenius “clenches” the globe over would get together as well as concur parties every twelvemonth inwards anticipation.

The parties all the same continue, although they are known every bit X-Day summation the release of years next 1998, e.g., 2002 is known every bit XXXXX-Day. Many excuses direct maintain been offered past times loyal SubGenii every bit to why the aliens did non arrive, including the proposition that they had done so, but that the view was either non noticed, or erased from our minds past times superior technology.

But, according to the Church, it is quite probable their absence was the point, because hence excuses could last made. The SubGenii be every bit an excuse to direct maintain a proficient fourth dimension as well as pollex their olfactory organ at organized organized faith as well as orderly behavior, likewise every bit themselves.

Every SubGenius clench is required to direct maintain a fellow member who does non believe, as well as the heart as well as mortal belief of the motility is to believe nix as well as everything, preferably at the same time; or, to paraphrase the Church itself, the SubGenius are either a joke masquerading every bit a religion, or a organized faith masquerading every bit a joke. Whichever they really are would non brand much of a difference.