‘Order Up!’ with the Order of the Solar Temple (France and Canada)
Ever heard of a group that mixed medieval rituals with modern conspiracies? The Order of the Solar Temple did. They believed in a space journey and also felt a need to cleanse Earth through sacrificial rituals. Leaders Luc Jouret and Joseph Di Mambro tricked folks into thinking they’d be reborn on a mythical planet, which led to numerous suicides and murders.Charles Manson’s Family’s Not-So-Family Fun Time (United States)
Manson wasn’t just a charismatic fellow – he had a wild vision. The “Helter Skelter” apocalypse was what he preached. Manson and his followers committed a series of murders, including the gruesome slaying of pregnant actress Sharon Tate. Their aim was to incite societal collapse. Their legacy was pure fear and terror.The Not-So-Heavenly Heaven’s Gate (United States)
When you mix alien beliefs with Christian ideology, things get strange. Heaven’s Gate’s leaders, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, thought an extraterrestrial ship was trailing the Hale-Bopp comet. Their exit ticket was those Nike shoes and a concoction of poison. Sadly, 39 members took this tragic “trip,” never to return.The Kids Aren’t Alright with the Children of God (International)
David Berg, the group’s founder, had odd ideas about salvation. Using sexual relationships as a recruitment and salvation tool was their M.O., even involving minors. This “Flirty Fishing” method created countless victims, leaving behind scarred individuals who suffered abuse under the guise of faith.Beware the Branch Davidians’ Barbecue (United States)
The Davidians, originally a break-off from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, became infamous under Koresh. They believed Koresh was the final prophet. When the FBI got wind of illegal weapons and alleged abuse inside their Waco compound, a 51-day standoff ensued. It culminated in flames, with many lives tragically lost.When the Ten Commandments Got Extra – Movement for the Restoration (Uganda)
They cherry-picked the Bible’s commandments, emphasizing some over others. When the world didn’t end in 1999 as they predicted, the leaders decided on a mass murder-suicide plan instead of admitting their error. Hundreds, including innocent children, died in church fires and poisonings orchestrated by the cruel leaders.NXIVM’s Not-So-Self-Help (United States and Canada)
Under the disguise of self-help workshops, NXIVM, led by Keith Raniere, ran a pyramid scheme. Worse, they had a secret society where women were branded and forced into servitude. Raniere’s fall from a self-help guru to a convicted criminal unveiled a world of deception.Aum Shinrikyo’s Not-So-Peaceful Path (Japan)
Aum Shinrokyo’s yoga classes were just a ruse. Under Shoko Asahara’s leadership, Aum Shinrikyo amassed weapons and even tried their hand at producing biological weapons. The Tokyo subway sarin gas attack in 1995, which killed 13 and injured over 50, is their most notorious act.Peoples Temple of the…Wait a Minute! (United States)
Jim Jones started with good intentions – racial equality and social justice. However, paranoia gripped him, leading him to Guyana, where he established Jonestown. As concerns grew internationally about the goings-on there, a deadly cyanide cocktail was prepared, resulting in a massive loss of life.The Not-So-Holy Holy Ten Movement (Ethiopia)
With a name so holy, you’d expect rays of sunshine and rainbows, right? Think again! The Holy Ten Movement was more murky than miraculous. Founded by charismatic leaders, this Ethiopian group claimed a direct line to the heavens. However, many followers, seduced by guarantees of eternal peace, encountered manipulations, stringent rules, and even threats.The Cult of…Yoga? (India)
Yoga, stretching, peace, and… manipulation? Yep, in the 1970s, a specific yogi in India took the peaceful principles of yoga and twisted them (and not in the good yoga pose way). This guru promised not just physical flexibility but spiritual enlightenment. But beneath the serene facade, there was a tangle of power struggles, mind games, and controlling tactics.The Black Sun Club (Germany)
Not the name of a trendy nightclub but a shadowy group from Germany. Their fixation? The eerie “Black Sun” symbol which is often linked with dark, occult practices. While many were lured by the promise of accessing ancient and forbidden knowledge, they soon found themselves neck-deep in dangerous rituals and extremist ideologies.The Snake-Pit Society (Australia)
Crikey! In the ’60s, Australia saw a group that believed snakes—yes, the hissing, slithering kind—were divine beings. Led by a snake-charmer turned self-proclaimed prophet, the society held secret gatherings where snake dances were common. While some found spiritual ecstasy, others (unsurprisingly) got a nasty surprise in the form of snake bites.The House of Yahweh’s Wacky Ways (United States)
Ever met someone who’s ALWAYS wrong about the weather? The House of Yahweh was like that but with doomsday predictions. Set up in Texas, their leader insisted the world would end again and again. Spoiler alert: We’re still here. Despite numerous failed prophecies, followers stuck around, captivated by the idea of being the sole survivors of a doomed world.The Echo Park Brotherhood (United States)
L.A. is known for its glitz, glamour, and… aliens? The Echo Park Brotherhood was convinced of extraterrestrial connections, seeing themselves as Earth’s cosmic ambassadors. Promising a hotline to other galaxies, many joined expecting stargazing sessions. But instead of shooting stars, they found bizarre rituals that were out of this world—in all the wrong ways!The Vampire Clan’s Bloody Beliefs (United States)
Florida’s got sunshine, oranges, and… vampires? Yep, the Vampire Clan was a group convinced of their nocturnal nature. Driven by a distorted interpretation of vampire myths, members engaged in blood-drinking ceremonies and even criminal activities, all in pursuit of immortality. Instead of eternal life, many found themselves facing very mortal legal troubles.The End Times Prophets (Russia)
While most of us cuddle up with a blanket during cold winters, the End Times Prophets decided that chilling in caves was the way to go. Believing the world’s end was imminent, they sought refuge underground. Led by a vision-driven leader, followers believed these icy caverns were their salvation arc. However, they received health issues instead!The Galactic Star-Chasers (Brazil)
In the heart of the Amazon, the Galactic Star-Chasers believed they were destined to repopulate a distant planet. Led by a self-proclaimed space captain, members underwent rigorous “astronaut training” – though, oddly, it involved more dancing than science. Lured by promises of interstellar travel, many found themselves lost in a jungle of wild theories and make-believe missions. Beam us up… or maybe not!16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
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