Cults
Doomsday predictions. Religious doctrines. Extraterrestrial orders. What really goes on inside a cult? Step into the minds of those who led and joined the most controversial organizations in history. Cults is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
251
“The Sons of Freedom” - Peter V. Verigin
This Cult’s beliefs often steered members to protest against the Canadian government.
46 min
252
“River Road Fellowship” Pt. 2 - Victor Arden Ba...
Reigning over Shepherd’s Camp throughout the 1990s, Victor Barnard was the king of his own Eden.
41 min
253
“River Road Fellowship” - Victor Arden Barnard
Victor Barnard started his own cult in the early 1990s and moved off the grid to an isolated campground in Minnesota.
40 min
254
“Fellowship of Friends” Pt. 2 - Robert Earl Burton
Robert Earl Burton used elements of mysticism to lure vulnerable followers to his group, but his shaky past threatens their future.
42 min
255
“Fellowship of Friends” - Robert Earl Burton
In 1970, his fellowship began with just two members huddled around a dining room table in Northern California.
37 min
256
“Kashi Ashram” Pt. 2 - Joyce Green
What started as a mission preaching tolerance and empathy, quickly turned sour when rumors of drug abuse and financial impropriety started to swirl.
40 min
257
“Kashi Ashram” - Joyce Green
Controversy would eventually strain Kashi Ashram, turning some of Joyce’s closest allies against her.
41 min
258
"Freemasonry" Pt. 2 - The cult that built America
Masonic ideals helped shape one of the most powerful nations in the world.
37 min
259
"Freemasonry" - The cult that built America
One of the oldest secret organizations in the world that dates back to 1425.
39 min
260
“The Way International” Pt. 2 - Victor Paul Wie...
By 1980, The Way International was one of the largest and wealthiest cults on Earth.
46 min
261
“The Way International” - Victor Paul Wierwille
“The Teacher” appeared to be devoted to God, but actually wanted sex, money, and control.
46 min
262
“Church of Satan” Pt. 2 - Anton LaVey
How did the Church of Satan fare after his death in 2001?
43 min
263
“Church of Satan” - Anton LaVey
Anton LaVey would go on to publish the first Satanic Bible which continues to influence people all over the world today.
45 min
264
“The Church of the Last Testament” Pt. 2 - Serg...
Would you follow a cult into Siberia?
39 min
265
The Church of the Last Testament - Sergey Anato...
This traffic cop turned cult leader got his followers to believe he is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
41 min
266
The Kirtland Cult Pt. 2 - Jeffrey Lundgren
What would happen when the "murmurs" he heard indicated that some of his followers were having second thoughts?
51 min
267
The Kirtland Cult - Jeffrey Lundgren
He believed that he could talk to God and that he alone could bring about Zion in Kirtland.
50 min
268
Mankind United Pt. 2 - Arthur Bell
After being shut down by the FBI, Arthur Bell returned and established a tax-exempt church that would allow him to extort his followers for millions.
40 min
269
Mankind United - Arthur Bell
Imagine only working four hours a day, four days a week, eight months a year.
49 min
270
The Hernandez Brothers' Cult
The Hernandez Brothers Cult was founded by Santos and Cayetano Hernandez in the early 1960s in a small, northern Mexico village.
42 min
271
Lumpa Church Pt. 2 - Alice Lenshina
By 1960, the Lumpa Church was the most influential religion in Zambia and seen as a political threat by Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda.
36 min
272
Lumpa Church - Alice Lenshina
After a life-changing vision turned her into a prophetess, Alice Lenshina rose from one of the minor tribal houses of Zambia to become the founder and leader of the Lumpa church, one of the most powerful organizations in the entire country.
42 min
273
Sahaja Yoga Movement Pt. 2 - Shri Mataji Nirmal...
How has the cult managed to remain so strong and what role did the death of Shri Mataji play in that success?
43 min
274
Sahaja Yoga Movement - Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi is the founder of the Sahaja Yoga Movement, a form of meditation meant to help practitioners unlock an inner awareness.
46 min
275
Church Universal and Triumphant Pt. 2 - Elizabe...
Elizabeth Clare Prophet was the charismatic leader of the Church Universal and Triumphant who had no problem recruiting members.
46 min