10 Cults That Are Still Practicing Today And Why You Should Stay Far Away From Them

It it smells like a cult, speaks like a cult, and makes you give up everything of value in your life, then it's a cult.

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• February 16, 2022

One of the definitions of a cult according to the Oxford dictionary is, "a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing." They mascarade as a religious group who swear that their leader is the one true leader who can save you from damnation.

Cult leaders are so convincing and charismatic that even "highly educated" people fall for their promises. In the US alone, there are at least 10,000 cults are active presently.

Unless you've been in one, none of us will truly ever know what it feels like to exist in the bubble of your group and live your life according to the doctrines dictated by one man.

As ridiculous as they sound on paper, cults are widespread and they can be dangerous. If you've seen the movie 'Midsommar' (2019), you can easily visualize how terrifying and dangerous it really is to be a part of a cult.

History will never forget the atrocities committed by some cults like the Manson Family who murdered people to incite a race war. Cults are also notorious for using their "religion" as a ruse to perpetrate sexual abuse and trafficking.

If you think these cults were left behind in the past, you're definitely wrong. Even now, even with the full knowledge of what crimes some cults have committed, a lot of people still get sucked into these groups.

Here was the original Reddit post to ask the question:

1. Church of Scientology - members of the group cannot be in contact with friends or family who are critical of Scientology.

There are also allegations about mistreatment from past members against the church. Not to mention the large amount of money their members put into the church.

They suppress opinions and criticisms against them from people outside of their church as well as their own members. They aggressively go after anyone who says anything about them.

2. Aum Shinrikyo - is officialy classified as a doomsday cult and terrorist organization.

The name Aum Shinrikyo literally means "The Supreme Truth". The group is responsible for the deadly sarin gas attack in Tokyo in 1995 as well as the Matsumoto sarin attack the year before.

In Tokyo alone, the sarin attack caused 14 fatalities, 50 grave injuries, and almost 1,000 others to temporarily lose their vision. These attacks are believed to have started in order to ignite tension and cause a Third World War to prove the apocalypse the group believes in.

3. Twelve Tribes Communities - previous names include: Vine Christian Community Church, Northeast Kingdom Community Church, Messianic Communities, and Communities Apostolic Order.

More information about the Twelve Tribes

4. Westboro Baptist Church - founded in Kansas and was originally a legitimate Baptist Church until Pastor Fred Phelps was hired.

He broke off the East Side Baptist Church and denounced any association with their faith. They are now a hate group advocating and persecuting atheists, Jewish people, Muslims, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other Christian organizations.

5. Love Has Won - led by Amy Carlson and they brainwashed and conned people out of their hard-earned money.

She was referred to as "Mother God" by her followers and she proclaimed she was Jesus Christ and Marilyn Monroe incarnate.

She claimed she could cure cancer as well as communicate with angels. She was found mummified in glitter in her Colorado home.

Yes, indeed. The members were charged with "Abuse of corpse"

6. Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - founded by Warren Jeffs and is now an official hate group

They have been labeled as a white-supremacist hate group that practices polygamy. Their leader was convicted of child sexual assault and was sentenced to life in prison.

7. KKK - the Ku Klux Klan is a white-supremacist hate group and was originally founded after the American Civil War

The primary target of their vitriol are African-Americans but they have since expressed similar sentiments against immigrants, Jewish people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

8. Jehovah's Witness - they assert that they are the "one true faith leading to eternal life".

Members who leave the religion are branded for life as "weak", "sinful," and "dangerous" by the church. The practicing members are strongly discouraged from associating with people outside of their faith.

Non-members are considered to be sinful people, bad influences, and too worldly. Women are also expected to submit to their husbands.

Here's an anecdote

9. Heaven's Gate - founded by Bo and Peep (Bonnie Nettles and Marshall Applewhite) in 1970.

They gained devoted followers with the belief that everyone on Earth is about to die and the only way to save yourself is by leaving it.

After Bonnie Nettles died, the rest of the group led by Applewhite isolated themselves from the general public for 5 years but continued recruiting members.

In 1997, Applewhite and 38 members committed mass suicide convinced that the prophecy is about to come true and they needed to leave their earthly vessels behind.

10. New Life Church - fundamentalist Christian group believed to use behavior modification and "mind-controlling" techniques

They recruit marginalized people, most of whom are homeless, and send them carrying buckets to collect money for children. Their founder and former 'pastor' Ted Haggard is accused of sexual misconduct by a young, male member of the church.

Friends don't let friends get brainwashed by cults. If someone is trying very, very hard to encourage you to a religious gathering or a meeting of the minds spearheaded by an energetic, life-changing person, it's best to be wary.

As fascinating cults are and the stories that we hear about them, there is no denying that they are absolutely dangerous. So don't go to a place in the middle of nowhere to celebrate nature or something, you'll never know what kind of brainwashing flower crowns they have there.

Chelsi