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.
276
Church Universal and Triumphant - Elizabeth Pro...
When Mark Prophet died suddenly of a stroke in 1973, Elizabeth Clare Prophet usurped his position as the leader of Summit Lighthouse, and changed its name to Church Universal and Triumphant.
50 min
277
Raëlism Pt. 2 - Claude Vorilhon
Raël recruited members through his media appearances.
53 min
278
Raëlism - Claude Vorilhon
While on a nature walk in his native France, 27-year old Claude Vorilhon saw a small, alien spacecraft land in front of him.
51 min
279
Order of the Solar Temple Pt. 2 - Joseph Di Mambro
Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret founded The Order of the Solar Temple.
41 min
280
Order of the Solar Temple - Joseph Di Mambro
Joseph Di Mambro was no stranger when it came to new religious movements.
40 min
281
Leopard Society
For the past 150 years, members of the Leopard Society in West Africa dressed in leopard skins and brutally murdered over six-dozen victims.
45 min
282
The Narcosatanists Pt. 2 - Adolfo de Jesús Cons...
Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo founded the Narcosatanists in Mexico City in 1985.
53 min
283
The Narcosatanists - Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo
Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo spent his early life training in the mystical religions of Santería and Palo Mayombe.
52 min
284
The Moonies Pt. 2 - Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon's church used a well-practiced set of tactics on each prospective cult member.
51 min
285
The Moonies - Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon was the son of farmers who converted from Confucianism to Christianity when he was about 10 years old.
59 min
286
Oneida Community Pt. 2 - John Humphrey Noyes
John Humphrey Noyes’ Oneida Community practiced polyamory long before the free love movement of the 1960s.
49 min
287
Oneida Community - John Humphrey Noyes
John Humphrey Noyes grew up crippled by social anxiety.
47 min
288
Twelve Tribes Pt. 2 - Elbert Spriggs
The Twelve Tribes has numerous communities still active around the world.
38 min
289
Twelve Tribes - Elbert Spriggs
Elbert Eugene Spriggs Jr. felt he could never live up to his strict Christian father's expectations.
44 min
290
“The Brethren” Pt. 2 - Jimmie T. Roberts
Jimmie T. Roberts lead a religious cult known as 'The Brethren' and targeted vulnerable college students looking for belonging.
48 min
291
“The Brethren” - Jimmie T. Roberts
Although he had a lonely childhood and grew up impoverished, Jimmie T. Roberts found feelings of comfort and belonging in religion.
35 min
292
“Rajneeshpuram” Pt. 2 - Ma Anand Sheela
Ma Anand Sheela orchestrated Rajneeshpuram’s movement from India to Oregon.
58 min
293
"Rajneeshpuram” - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
Prophesied to die young and surviving near-death-experiences, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh felt discomfort with his own mortality from a young age.
52 min
294
“Church of Euthanasia” Pt. 2 - Chris Korda
In 1992, musician and computer programmer Chris Korda founded the Church of Euthanasia with a goal to control population through suicide, abortion, sodomy, and cannibalism.
33 min
295
“Church of Euthanasia” - Chris Korda
At just 10 years old, Chris Korda began to feel deeply fearful of climate change, and she worried greatly about the future of Earth.
39 min
296
“Apostles of Infinite Love” Pt. 2 - Michel Coll...
Michel Collin and Jean-Gaston Tremblay, the two excommunicated self-crowned popes of the Apostles of Infinite Love, gained a following after presenting themselves to have mystical powers and visions.
36 min
297
"Apostles of Infinite Love” - Michel Collin and...
After having a religious vision when he was seven years old, Michel Collin set on a path to become Pope.
40 min
298
“Sect of Nacozari” Pt. 2 - Silvia Meraz Moreno
It’s hard to believe that human sacrifice still exists today.
37 min
299
“Sect of Nacozari” - Silvia Meraz Moreno
From 2009 to 2012 in Sonora, Mexico, Silvia Meraz Moreno put together a plan to receive good fortune from Santa Muerte, or Saint Death.
47 min
300
“Nuwaubian Nation” Pt. 2 - Dwight York
In November 2014, a baby struggling for his life was left at an ER in the Atlanta area.
36 min