#20. Scientology In USA
You might find this cult familiar because several famous actors were actually a part of it. Tom Cruise and Catherine Bell are only some of the public figures that were involved in Scientology at one point or another throughout their lifetime.
Ever since Hubbard founded Scientology back in 1952, mysteries and allegations of fraud have been a part of this cult’s reputation. Although few cases have upheld in court, there is no denying dark things are at work here. A quick google search is enough to understand, one must be wary of Scientology.
#19. Order Of The Solar Temple In France
This cult caught the world’s attention after the french police linked several murders as well as mass suicides to the Order Of The Solar Temple. One of the most horrifying crimes the cult committed took 16 lives. In fact, they were cult members who happened to burn themselves.
The cult’s popularity grew so much that at one point there were even members in Canada and Switzerland. The crimes they committed were quite diverse, and believe me, you don’t wanna know the details. Aside from the killings, the cult organized itself vertically. That is, as a member advanced in the order, he or she had to pay larger sums of money in cash, jewelry or other expensive ‘donations’.
#18. Ho No Hana In Japan
This cult’s appeal came from the fact that its leader and founder, Hogen Fukunaga offered ‘accurate’ foot readings. He made people believe his foot readings could predict the future, tell the past and see into the depths of any human being. Ho No Hana finally made the news when the press revealed that the foot reading came at a very high price.
People looking for readings received threats to their families and health. The way out of imminent chaos and disaster in the victim’s lives was to pay for extra-religious seminars or reading. This way, Fukunaga got away with extorting at least 1.32 million dollars. In the end, justice was called upon and he got sentenced to 12 years in prison.
#17. Hare Krishna In USA
The cult first began to attract the public eye during the late 60s, and back in those days, people believed there was nothing but peaceful and zen meditation going on behind closed doors. But little did they know this was far from the truth, as several accusations revealed that darkness lured in the group.
Who would suspect the relaxed orange-clad members of being capable of some of the most heinous crimes? During the ’70s and ’80s, some brave kids stepped forward. Their accusations towards the Hare Krishna schools involve cases of rape, beatings and psychological abuse.
#16. The Children Of God In USA
This is a group you will not forget easily. The Children of God was a controversial cult involved in several sexual abuse scandals over the years, and the horrifying testimony of Verity says it all. Verity was a child who used to be a member and he said that being part of the cult was “hell on earth.”
This particular cult attracted abusers and twisted people of all kinds. The reason for this was that sexual intercourse between adults and children (even family members) was encouraged. As a consequence, scandals and crimes were frequent.
#15. Unification Church In South Korea
Initially founded in North Korea, this cult spread to other Asian countries. The founder, Sun Myung Moon reinterpreted the Bible in a way that blended Confucianism and Christianity together. Many people felt identified with what Moon preached and joined the cult.
Although plenty of out-there rumors surround this cult, some of them turned out to be true. On the one hand, mass weddings that featured guns and all kinds of weapons were quite frequent. On the other hand, many of the members’ families revealed that brainwashing occurred behind closed doors.
#14. Osho Cult In USA
There is a mind-blowing series documentary on Netflix called Wild Wild Country that provides information on this cult. The ‘spiritual’ side of the group was also kind of random. Meditation, open sexuality, as well as capitalism, blended together here.
The cult praised Baghwan and was willing to do anything for him and his ‘spiritual cause’. Several cases of abuse were linked to the cult. However, one of their worst cries caused 750 people to get sick. The cult members poisoned the food in a local restaurant in a small Oregon town in order to gain control over the county government. Fortunately, the plan failed.
#13. The Faizrakhmanist Movement In Russia
You might know this cult by its other title: the Catacomb Sect. This name was given to the cult after police discovered that beneath the cult leaders’ home there was a huge complex of underground rooms. In these dugout structures, there were adults as well as children living there.
The following investigations determined that the children and some members were forced to stay in the rooms. They had never seen the outside world and the terrible conditions they lived in only worsened some of the member’s health conditions. Tuberculosis and anemia were even detected in many of the children.
#12. Manson Family In USA
The infamous Manson family is well known around the globe for the horrendous case of the murder of Sharon Tate. In case you’re not familiar with this cult, let me tell you, they were certainly a force to be reckoned with. At eight months pregnant, the famous actress was murdered by some of the cult members.
The cult attracted middle-class women mainly. The members lived together in an alternative lifestyle and drug use amongst them was a part of daily life. On of the stronger beliefs that Manson instilled onto his believers was that a race war was inevitable and that they should prepare. For another strange group go to the next slide.
#11. The Branch Davidians In USA
The Branch Davidians cult was founded in 1959. For a long time, the cult remained out of the public eye, until in 1993 a notorious police raid placed the Branch Davidians in every news outlet in the country. The ‘headquarters’ of the group was located outside of Waco.
The FBI carried out a search warrant after receiving several testimonies of irregularities in the place. The procedure turned violent quickly. In fact, both sides -the police and the cult members -, suffered great losses. In the heat of the moment, the fire began to spread and 76 people who were unable to escape tragically died.
#10. Aum Shinrikyo In Japan
This cult was fairly unknown to Japanese locals until the police linked them directly to a subway crime in 1995. The members used a chemical weapon, Sarin gas, in five Subway trains. This led to serious injuries as well as deaths. From that moment on, anyone in Japan knew the name Aum Shinrikyo.
In spite of the bad press the cult received as a consequence of the attack and imprisonment of several members, some Japanese still find the group attractive. Some sources confirm that membership has increased to 1000 people. Let’s hope the group has become more pacifist in the last years.
#9. Nxivm In USA
The famous Smallville actress Allison Mack appeared recently in the news for being involved in serious accusations involving this cult. While Nxism appears to be a multi-level marketing company, in reality, it resembles a creepy and scary cult.
The first contact people usually have with Nxivm is through ‘seminars’. Things turn sour when women are manipulated into sex trafficking and slavery. In fact, several cult members have been accused of these crimes before a judge!
#8. Tree Of Life In Russia
This cult is surrounded by mystery and myths. Not much is known about it, and to make matters worse, the Tree of Life also goes by at least another three names. The cult also enforced strict rules on new members.
To begin with, they were prohibited from using Google or any other search engine. Many believe this was a way to prevent members from looking up the cult on the internet. Additionally, they were discouraged from visiting doctors or maintaining relationships with their families.
#7. The People’s Temple In USA
A man named Jim Jones founded this cult in 1955. When it first started out in Indiana, many were attracted to the group’s ideology. The members spoke out against racial inequality and spread messages of peace and socialism. Don’t be fooled, however, since nothing is at it seems.
in 1978, people were shocked to find out that more than 900 people had died in a mass suicide. What happened was that the cult leader convinced many members to consume poison and the result was one of the greatest tragedies in world history as well as the deadliest mass suicide ever. From that moment onward, other accusations and dark truths were revealed about the cult.
#6. Ansar Dine-In Mali
In recent years, plenty of groups have claimed that their own organizations represent the comeback of Islam. Ansar Dine is amongst many of such groups that use violence in order to expand their take on the religion.
Many sources claim that Ansar Dime even has a close relationship with Al-Qaeda. A worrying fact about this group is its capacity to collect weaponry. It already has about 100 vehicles and loads of different types of arms.
#5. Boko Haram In Nigeria
Boko Haram made the news back in 2014 when they kidnapped at least 200 girls. However, the horrors this group has committed doesn’t stop there. They’ve bombed religious sites such as churches and even bars.
The terrorizing group was created in 2002 and since then it has declared itself as a part of ISIS. The group has an extremist take on Islam and has already set up its own mosque, schools, and buildings.
#4. Al-Qaeda
This notorious group was founded in 1988. Its leaders became well known everywhere as a consequence of the atrocities they committed. Its former leader, Osama bin Laden, created a system of belief, using Islam as a pretext to preach violence.
The attack on the Twin Towers was orchestrated by this group. However, aside from that terrible terrorist attack, the group terrorized families and cities in many places. Al-Qaeda still has an impact globally to this day.
#3. ISIS In Iraq
ISIS is considered to be the advanced and perfected Al-Qaeda. It was created in 2006 and it grew at a pace no one would have expected. They were even more violent than their predecessor.
ISIS managed to be so big because it gained control of plenty of territories, something that Al-Qaeda never managed successfully. They are also considered to be the brains of terrorist acts all around the globe.
#2. Church Of Euthanasia In USA
This is one of the most recently invented cults on this list, as it was founded by Chris Korda in 1992. His belief was that a church was needed in order to restore the balance between species. He claimed that humans needed to stop procreating.
In fact, his belief was so extreme, he actively supported suicides, abortions, and cannibalism. Vice actually made an interesting investigation on the topic and revealed that the cult created a hot-line that encouraged suicides.
#1. Heaven’s Gate
This is a fascinating cult that began back in 1974. It seriously believed in the existence of UFOs and created a whole belief system around that sole fact. Their greatest worry was how to survive after planet earth would be wiped out.
Their preoccupation turned into paranoia. They reached such a level of madness that in 1997, 39 members committed mass suicide. For them, it was the only way for their consciousness to survive and be taken by the UFOs into the next dimension.