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The 15 Most Famous Cults in History

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A cult does not generally refer to a religious sect, but a social group that believes and practices a culture that is outside the mainstream. While most cults start out as non-violent, their core beliefs and the fanatic devotion of their members is what turns a cult towards a destructive, suicidal and extremist path. Out of the several cults that have existed in the past, here are the most famous, or rather infamous cults in history.

Heaven’s Gate

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Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles brew up this strange cult which convinced its followers to walk beside them on the path of enlightenment and salvation by leaving Earth! By convincing 38 followers to commit suicide when the Haley’s Comet arrived in 1997, Applewhite announced that the a spaceship awaited them at the tail of the comet.

The People’s Temple

This religious cult was led by a former communist and Marxist supporter who later turned into a Methodist priest. Responsible for the largest mass suicide in the tainted human history, Jim Jones convinced more than 900 of his followers to off themselves at his camp in Guyana by drinking Kool-Aid laced with poison.

Branch Davidians

Exploiting the fear of God among his followers, David Koresh convinced the audience that he was the voice of God and anyone against him was the enemy of God – including the United States of America. Using his power to regularly engage in sexual relations with his female followers and several reports of child molestation, Koresh was killed in a standoff with 76 other people.

Order of the Solar Temple

Founded in 1984 by Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret, this weird cult is based upon the belief that Knights Templar still exists and that converted worshippers must ascend into heaven to receive salvation. Related to several mass suicides in Switzerland and Canada, this cult made the headlines in 1994 when they “sacrificed” an infant, as they believed it to be the anti-Christ.

Children of God

As creepy as the organization was, what made it creepier is the fact that it called itself the Children of God. Created by David Berg, the basis of this cult not only considered sex with children non-punishable but supported it as a divine right. Apart from the heinous acts of sexual abuse with children, the cult was known for “fishing” out new members by turning their female followers towards prostitution.

Aum Shinrikyo

This dangerous Japanese cult was founded in 1984 by Shoko Asahara and started out as a non-violent cult for yoga and meditation. The cult was granted the status of a religion and soon enough turned violent, with records of forced donations, several frauds, and even murders. At the peak of its destructive spell, Asahara was captured with a stockpile of weapons and explosives and enough poison gas to kill more than 4 million people.

The Manson Family

The most notorious and deadly cult in US history, the followers of Charles Manson in the late 1960’s was known as “The Family”. The crazy ones believed that a war was on its way, where the black race would slaughter the white and his followers would emerge as the rulers of the blacks. For some reason, the cult believed that the Beatles knew about the race war and wrote verses from their songs on the walls of their victims with blood.

The Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God

This cult originated in Uganda and believed that the inevitable end of the world was to take place on January 1, 2000. They rarely spoke to each other and often used sign language to adhere to the ninth commandment, refrained from sexual acts and fasted regularly. When the inevitable end of the world never happened, 500 members of the cult gathered at a church, which was exploded to kill all the members inside it.

The Ku Klux Klan

Famous for their white robes, pointed hats and hatred for anyone outside the white race, the KKK at its core was a set of religiously extremist Christians. At their prime, the Ku Klux Clan had more than 4 million members and brutally targeted Blacks, Jews and even Catholics with fear tactics and murders. Known for its anonymity, the KKK exists till date and continue to practice their beliefs in secrecy.

The Unification Church

The followers of the Unification Church are popularly known as the Moonies and consider Earth’s satellite as the spirit of God. Its founder, Sun Myung Moon was banned from Germany as he has been regarded dangerous with his high influence among the youth. The cult has been allegedly involved in luring young members and forcing them to separate themselves from their families.

Scientology

Not your typical suicidal or religious fanatic cult, Scientology is known for its verbal influence in brainwashing, attempts of fraud and tendency of forcing its followers into financial ruin. A mix of aliens and human psychology, Scientology is all about the money and ready to sue if any personality speaks ill of it. Not just for the uneducated nut jobs, Scientology has also been at the core of spiritual belief of several actors, including Tom Cruise.

Our Lady of Endor Coven

The other name of the cult of Ophite Cultus Satanas clearly implies that this organization worships Satan and was formed in Toledo, Ohio by Herbert Sloane in 1948. While Satan worship was practiced centuries before this cult was formed, Anton LeVay formed the Church of Satan, which brought together thousands of Satanists from all over the world together.

The Fellowship of Friends

Not just the word of God, the founder of the Fellowship of Friends considers himself as an angel from the heavens above. Robert Earl Burton continues to operate from a central facility in California and has stated strict guidelines for the members which include no smoking, no swimming, and no joking. Regarded as a sexual predator by former members, Burton has predicted an Armageddon (December 21, 2012), which would be survived only by the members of his cult. Glad we non-believers survived the apocalypse as well!

Raëlianism

The cult was founded in Europe in 1974 by a French journalist with the belief that life on Earth has been created by aliens named Elohim. The cult believes that the world should be ruled by geniuses and the average should not have the right to even vote. Apart from being sexually liberal and banning the use of any mind-altering drugs, the cult became popular after its claim of cloning a woman and naming the child “Eve”.

Church of Bible Understanding

Popularly known as the “Carpet Cult”, the Church of Bible Understanding was founded in 1971 by Stewart Traill. Preaching a version of evangelical Christianity, which involves breaking off contact with people outside the community and working for the church businesses, including carpet cleaning and van businesses. The cult leaders held 90% of the income while the other members spent their lives in poverty.

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