 Applewhite began to emphasize a strict hierarchy , teaching that his students needed his guidance , as he needed the guidance of the Next Level . Zeller notes that this naturally ensured that there would be no possibility of the group 's continuing if Applewhite were to die . A relationship with Applewhite was said to be the only way to salvation ; he encouraged his followers to see him as Christ . Zeller states that the group 's previous focus on individual choice was replaced with an emphasis on Applewhite 's role as a mediator . Applewhite maintained some aspects of their scientific teachings , but , in the 1980s , the group became more like a religion in its focus on faith and submission to authority . 
 Applewhite began to emphasize a strict hierarchy , teaching that his students needed his guidance , as he needed the guidance of the Next Level . Zeller <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>notes</mark></a> that this naturally ensured that <a href='dey_it' title='2'><mark>there</mark></a> would be no possibility of the group <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>continuing if Applewhite <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> to die . A relationship with Applewhite was said to be the only way to salvation ; he encouraged his followers to see him as Christ . Zeller <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>states</mark></a> that the group <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>previous focus on individual choice was replaced with an emphasis on Applewhite <a href='null_genetive' title='7'><mark>'s</mark></a>role as a mediator . Applewhite maintained some aspects of their scientific teachings , but , in the 1980s , the group became more like a religion in its focus on faith and submission to authority . 
Applewhite began to emphasize a strict hierarchy , teachin that his students needed his guidance , as he needed the guidance of the nxt Level . Zeller note dat dis naturally ensured tdatit would b no possibility of the group  continuing if Applewhite was to die . A relationship with Applewhite was said to be the only way to salvation ; he encouraged his followers to see him as Christ . Zeller state thdata group  previous focus on individual choice was replaced w an emphasis on Applewhite  role as a mediator . Applewhite maintained sum aspects of their scientific teachings , but , in the 1980s , tdagroup became more like a religion in its focus on faith and submission to authority .