What you need to know to make the most of them
The Supreme Master also preaches environmentalism, although she built an artificial island in a protected mangrove reserve in Florida, which ended up being seized by the federal government.
See also: The world's largest artificial islands
For years, they were seen as innocent alien-believers and amassed a huge following. Then in 2002, things took a weird turn when a Raëlian-owned company claimed to have cloned a human.
Led by Charles Manson, the group was ultimately responsible for the murders and assaults of several people.
The party's hardcore beliefs include denying that certain historical atrocities took place, and advocating for Japan to be at war with China and North Korea. They claim to have 12 million followers around the world.
When Congressman Leo Ryan traveled to Jonestown to investigate, members of the group shot him, triggering an incident that would kill nearly 1000 people. Jones convinced his followers that if they didn't take their own lives, the Temple would be dissolved. In total, 909 people died from self-inflicted cyanide poisoning.
Founded in 1955 by Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ gained followers by promoting itself as a religious movement tied to Christianity.
Among the things they teach, the Twelve Tribes claim that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. This hippie-like cult has been accused of exploiting their children for slave labor and tax evasion.
The group started in 1972 in Tennessee as an offshoot of a teenager prayer group who broke off from their Presbyterian church. They have since gathered an international presence.
Previously known as the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, this personality-based cult revolves around leader Dwight York, who convinced people that aliens were coming and humans should prepare for a battle with Satan.
Following York's instructions, followers bought land in the state of Georgia and built the Egyptian-themed compound Tama-Re. York was eventually sentenced to life after it was discovered he was running a huge child molestation ring.
Possibly one of the wackiest cults ever, the CGSF are also known as "snake handlers."
As it would be expected, dozens of snake handlers have died from poisonous bites, which they don't even treat because they believe God will get rid of the poison.
The church was founded by Fred Phelps in Topeka, Kansas, and is known for extremist beliefs and provocative protests that aim to slander and disrespect others.
The commune was established in California in the 1960s.
The Japanese cult was founded in 1986 by Ryuho Okawa, who truly thinks he is the human impersonation of a supreme being.
As humans, we tend to have a fascination with cults, as they initially attract people with ideals of a utopian community. However, what usually starts out with an enigmatic and charismatic leader wanting to unite a group of people often turns into a tyrannical dictatorship with disastrous consequences. Many of them escape notice for several years and even decades, while others are at the center of media attention and continue to exert influence over millions of people.
The world has a long history of terrifying and gruesome cults that took things too far and continue to shock us even today. Take a look at a few of them in this gallery!
In 1997, 39 group members were found dead in matching clothes from cyanide poisoning.
The weirdest and most shocking cults in history
From Charles Manson to Jim Jones, learn about their enigmatic and dangerous leaders
LIFESTYLE Cults
As humans, we tend to have a fascination with cults, as they initially attract people with ideals of a utopian community. However, what usually starts out with an enigmatic and charismatic leader wanting to unite a group of people often turns into a tyrannical dictatorship with disastrous consequences. Many of them escape notice for several years and even decades, while others are at the center of media attention and continue to exert influence over millions of people.
The world has a long history of terrifying and gruesome cults that took things too far and continue to shock us even today. Take a look at a few of them in this gallery!