The Most Notorious Cults Explained in 26 Minutes

the Church of the last Testament founded in 1991 by Sergey trra in Siberia is a religious movement centered around trra who is known as viserion to his followers a former traffic policeman trop claimed to have experienced a spiritual awakening in 1990 after losing his job during which he declared himself The Reincarnation of Jesus Christ the church established his main Community known as the city of the Sun in the remote Siberian Tiga near Petro pavlovka attracting followers from and Beyond the Church of the last Testament became known for its apocalyptic and obscure teachings blending elements of

Christianity Eastern mysticism and environmentalism viserion taught that Humanity was approaching a spiritual crisis that could only be resolved by living in harmony with nature and following his teachings the church emphasized vegetarianism pacifism and sustainable living members observed strict rules avoiding Alcohol Tobacco and processed foods while adhering to a lifestyle focused on spiritual Purity at its peak the movement reportedly had around 10,000 followers with about 4,000 living in or near the Siberian commune the church Drew attention for its unique practices such as celebrating Christmas on viserion's birthday January 14th in building a Hilltop Temple dedicated to

his teachings despite its seemingly peaceful facade the group faced criticism in accusations of being a cult and allegations included Financial exploitation psychological manipulation in the harsh living conditions endured by followers in the isolated community in September 2020 Russian authorities arrested viserion and two of his Close Associates on charges of extorting money from followers and causing physical and psychological harm the arrest marked the significant blow to the movement though some members continue to uphold viserion's teachings the nxivm cult founded in 1998 by Keith raner in Albany New York initially presented himself as a self-help organization offering

personal development seminars under the guise of a company called executive success programs the group claimed to help participants achieve personal and professional empowerment through workshops lectures and specialized training nxivm emphasized the developments of ethics and self-improvement while fostering loyalty to raner who was referred to by followers as Vanguard despite its seemingly harmless Mission NX IVM became highly controversial it attracted widespread scrutiny due to allegations of abusive practices manipulation and exploitation the organization maintained a secretive hierarchy and many members were subjected to coercive control at its height NX IVM reportedly had around 18,000 participants though its

core membership was much smaller often described as numbering in the hundreds Central to nxivm's beliefs was the idea that people could transcend emotional trauma and Achieve Personal Greatness by addressing quote unquote limited beliefs however critics argue that its meth methods were a mix of pseudo science and mind control designed to bind members to raner Authority followers practiced rigid discipline including fasting intensive psychological exercises and loyalty Oaths the group was further tarnished by the emergency of Dos a secretive Inner Circle of Women Within NX IVM and dos members were coerced into giving damaging personal information as

collateral branded with Ran's initials and subjected to sexual exploitation NX IBM's downfall began in 2017 when former members exposed its abuses to journalist and law enforcement rineer was arrested in 2018 and convicted in 2019 on charges including sex trafficking racketeering and forced labor conspiracy he received a 120-year prison sentence and the revelations about nxivm's inner workings shocked the public leading to its Collapse by the time of Ran's conviction the group had effectively disbanded though some loyalists still advocate for him am shinri founded in Japan in 1984 by shoko asahara was a doomsday cult that combined

elements of Buddhism Hinduism Christianity and apocalyptic prophecy initially presented as a spiritual organization promoting meditation and personal Enlightenment the group evolved into a highly controversial and violent sect responsible for one of modern Japan's worst domestic Terror attacks Cults teaching centered on asahara's claim of being a divine Savior destined to lead his followers through an apoc apocalyptic nuclear war that would devastate the world aahar predicted Global destruction and promised salvation to his followers whom he called The Chosen Elite members were taught to detach from material possessions in society following strict regiments that included meditation dietary restrictions

and ritual practices asahara emphasized total loyalty and submission to his authority and at its peak in the early 1990s am Shin Rio had an estimated 10,000 members in Japan and thousands more International including in Russia the cult attracted educated professionals including scientists and Engineers who contributed to its financial and technological resources the group established businesses amassed significant wealth and developed a secretive militaristic Wing that conducted experiment with chemical and biological weapons amshen Rio became Infamous for its escalating violence as in March 1995 the group orchestrated a gas attack on the Tokyo subway system killing 13

people injuring over 5,000 and causing Widespread Panic the attack was an attempt to disrupt police investigations and Spark the apocalyptic War as aara had foretold it followed other criminal Acts including the killings of critics and the Tokyo attack shocked Japan in the world leading to a massive Crackdown on Amin Rio asahara and other leaders were arrested tried and convicted and he was executed in 2018 along with several high ranking members the cult was formally dismantled but Splinter groups like alef and Hikari NOA still exist monitored closely by authorities Amin Rio's actions profoundly impacted Japanese Society

leading to stricter laws on religious organizations the order of the solar Temple was a secretive apocalyptic cult founded in 1984 by Joseph D mambro and Luke joret drawing a mix of Christianity New Age philosophy and obscure Traditions like the Knights Templar the cult claim to pursue spiritual enlightenment prepare for the second coming of Christ and establish a utopian society on another planet after an impending Global catastrophe the group originated in Switzerland but expanded to France Canada and other countries with an estimated 400 to 500 members at its peak the order targeted a fluent and educated

individuals appealing to them with mysticism exclusivity and Promises of spiritual Ascension members participated in elaborate rituals involving Templar symbolism robes and ceremonial swords they were required to adhere to strict secrecy and contribute financially often giving up significant assets to fund the group Central to the order's beliefs was the concept of an apocalyptic event that would cleanse the Earth after which members would be born in a higher plane of existence or a distant star system damro and Jet claimed to have Divine Authority with demro positioning himself as a prophet and joret as a charismatic healer and

lecturer the leadership manipulated followers with staged Miracles such as holographic operations or spiritual entities the cult became controversial for its authoritarian structure Financial exploitation and apocalyptic teachings tensions escalated in the early 1990s when disillusioned members began leaving some accusing de mambro and joret of Fraud and deception the leaders fearing exposure and losing control orchestrated a series of killings to fulfill their prophesized transition to the afterlife in October 1994 53 members died in Switzerland and Canada in what the order called a Transit many were found in ceremonial robes arranged in a circular pattern and surrounded by

Templar symbols in December 1995 in March 1997 additional deaths occurred in France bringing the total fatalities to over 70 evidence suggests some victims were killed or coerced and the Order of the solar Temple disbanded after these events with it remaining one of the most infamous modern Cults the branch devidians were a religious sect that originated as an offshoot of the dividian movements founded in 19 1959 by Benjamin rhen in Waco Texas the branch devidians adhered to apocalyptic beliefs emphasizing the imminent return of Christ and the necessity of spiritual preparation for the end times the sect

gained widespread attention and controversy under the leadership of David kers born Vernon Howell who took control in 1987 after a power struggle K claimed to be the final prophet and a Messianic figure and he interpreted the Bible particularly The Book of Revelation as predicting a catastrophic confrontation between his followers in the forces of evil which he identified with secular authorities cor's teachings emphasize strict adherence to his interpretations of scripture polygamy which he practiced extensively in the accumulation of weapons for the prophesized battle at its peak the branch devidians had around 100 to 130 members living

at their Mount Carmel compound near Waco followers practiced communal Living Bible study and the preparation for the apocalypse course exerted near total control over the group including members personal lives financial resources and relationships the group became controversial due to allegations of child abuse illegal weapons stockpiling and chorous polygamous relationships with underage girls whom he claimed as a spiritual wives these issues drew the attention of law enforcement culminating in a raid by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms on February 28th 1993 The Raid led to a deadly firefight killing four ATF agents and six Branch

devidians this sparked a 51-day standoff between the FBI and the group and The Siege ended on April 19th 1993 when the FBI launched an assault using tear gas to force the group out a fire consumed the compound during the assault killing 76 people including korish and many children the cause of the fire remains disputed with some blaming the FBI's tactics and others suggesting it was started by the devidians themselves though the branch devidians largely disbanded after this Siege some small factions continue today the Manson family was a coli group led by Charles Manson in the

late 1960s in California comprised of a small but devoted following the group became Infamous for a series of brutal killings in 1969 Manson attracted followers by portraying himself as a charismatic Guru offering spiritual enlightenment and countercultural ideas he preached the philosophy combining elements of the hippie movement Scientology Christianity and his own delusional beliefs Central to his teachings was the concept of Helter Skelter a supposed impending apocalyptic race war inspired by Manson's misinterpretation of the beetle song of the same name he claimed the family would survive the conflict by retreating to an underground hideout and emerge

as rulers of the new world the family's practices included communal living drug use especially LSD and rituals meant to strengthen loyalty and submission to Manson members were mostly young disillusioned individuals who were manipulated into seeing Manson as a Messianic figure the group lived on a remote Ranch and operated in isolation from mainstream Society the Cults criminal activities in the Tate labianca killings in August 1969 where family members under Manson's orders killed seven people over two nights including actress Sharon Tate who was 8 months pregnant these killings Were Meant to incite Helter Skelter by Framing black

Americans for the crimes though this plan ultimately failed the Manson family was highly controversial shocking the nation with its violence and depravity membership was relatively small estimated at 30 to 50 core members but the killings had a major impact at the end of the 1960s Charles Manson became a cultural icon of evil embodying the Dark Side of Charisma and cult manipulation the group disand following Manson's arrest and conviction in 1971 though some followers remained loyal Manson eventually died in prison in 2017 the people's Temple was a religious and social movement founded in 19 19 55

by Jim Jones in Indianapolis Indiana it began as a Christian Church promoting racial integration social justice and support for the poor and marginalized over time it evolved into a controversial and tightly controlled organization that ultimately ended in tragedy Jim Jones initially attracted followers by combining Progressive activism with charismatic preaching he preached equality and Drew people from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds the temple established programs for housing Healthcare and food distribution earning at a reputation for community service however the group became increasingly authoritarian as Jones's control grew followers were required to dedicate their lives and resources

to the temple and practices included communal living public confessions and intense loyalty to Jones who claimed to be a prophet and even God incarnate descent was discouraged and members face psychological manipulation and also physical abuse the people's Temple moved to California in the 1960s and gained political influence in cities like San Francisco where Jones built alliances with prominent politicians at its peak the temple had an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 members and concerns about Jones's Behavior including allegations of abuse and financial fraud grew as former members spoke out in 1977 amid increasing scrutiny Jones relocated the

group to Jonestown a settlement in Guyana promising a Utopian community free from oppress conditions in Jonestown quickly deteriorated due to overcrowding poor living standards and Jones's escalating paranoia armed guards prevented members from leaving and Jones conducted propaganda filled sermons over loudspeakers in November 1978 us Congressman Leo Ryan visited Jonestown to investigate claims of abuse during the visit several defectors attempted to leave with Ryan and Jones ordered an attack on Ryan's delegation at a nearby airstrip resulting in the deaths of Ryan and four others that same day Jones orchestrated a mass self-slaughter instructing over 900 members

including children to drink cyanide laced punch this cult's tragic end known as the Jonestown Massacre remains one of the largest losses of civilian life in a non-natural disaster cargo Cults are religious and social movements that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries primarily in melanesian Societies in the Pacific these movements came about in response to cont with Western Colonial powers and later during World War II with military forces whose technology and material wealth referred to as cargo were perceived as manifestations of Supernatural or divine power the term cargo cult broadly describes the belief that rituals

or actions could summon material wealth often in the form of goods cargo Cults typically developed in societies with limited exposure to industrialized economies indigenous peoples observing the arrival of ships and airplanes delivering vast amount of supplies to colonizers or soldiers interpreted these events through their own cultural and religious Frameworks they often believe that the cargo was a gift from ancestral Spirits or deities and that it was being unfairly rerouted by foreigners this led to the creation of rituals intended to restore rightful access to the cargo and practices varied widely but often included building symbolic air

strips docks or warehouses mimicking the activities they saw performed by westerners such as marching or signaling followers belied that such actions would encourage the return of cargol loaded ships or planes some Cults Incorporated Christian or Western symbols blending them with indigenous beliefs notable cargo Cults include the John fra movement on the island of Tana in vanu Adu which worships a mythical figure named John from believed to bring Prosperity cargo Cults were not inherently controversial within their societies but were often dismissed or misunderstood by Outsiders as primitive or irrational however they represented a profound cultural response

to the disruptions of colonialism war and globalization membership numbers were variable and hard to estimate but movements often encompassed entire Villages or communities while many cargo Cults faded over time as societies modernized some like the John from movements persist today adapting to changing circumstances the eleusinian Mysteries were one of the most celebrated religious cults of ancient race dedicated to Deer the goddess of agriculture and her daughter pany originating in the city of El usus near Athens the cult flourished for nearly two Millennia from around 1500 BC to the late 14th century it was an official

state Cult of Athens and widely regarded as a Cornerstone of Greek spiritual life the central myth of the eleusinian Mysteries revolved around the Abduction of panie by Hades her mother deer's search for her and Pan's eventual part return to the world above this cycle symbolized the changing seasons the renewal of life and the promise of rebirth after death the cult core belief was that initiates by participating in the Mysteries would gain spiritual enlightenment and Assurance of a blessed afterlife the rituals were divided into two phases the Lesser Mysteries held in the spring and the greater

Mysteries conducted in the fall the latter included a sacred Parade from Athens to El usus purification rights fasting secret ceremonies and dramatic reenactments of the myth of demer and pany a climactic moment involved the revelation of sacred objects the details of which remain unknown due to strict vows of secrecy initiates included men women and even slaves making the cult remarkably inclusive for its time the eleusinian Mysteries were not controversial within Greek society as they were state sponsored and celebrated as a unifying cultural tradition they attracted thousands of participant annually and influenced other religious and philosophical

systems famous initiates included prominent figures such as Socrates Plato and the Roman Emperor hadrien the Cults decline began with the rise of Christianity which viewed it as a pagan practice Emperor theodosius the first decrees Banning non-Christian rituals in the late 4th Century along with the destruction of the sanctuary at uus by invading forces in 396 marked the end of the eleusinian Mysteries mithraism also known as the mithraic Mysteries was a secretive religious cult centered on the worship of mithis a God of Light truth in Cosmic order emerging in the Roman Empire during the first century

mithraism was influenced by Persian zoroastrian Traditions but developed into a distinct Roman mystery religion with no direct continuity from earlier Persian worship mythri ISM appealed primarily to soldiers merchants and lower ranking officials spreading across the Empire especially in military Outpost membership was exclusively male and while exact numbers are unknown the widespread remains of underground temples which were known as myrea indicate significant participation the Cole was popular in the Roman army and among those seeking camaraderie and discipline the central myth of mithraism revolved around mithis slaying a cosmic bow symbolizing the Triumph of order over chaos

in the renewal of Life beliefs included themes of cosmic dualism the Soul's journey and the promise of Salvation mythri at cosmology Incorporated astrology with the bulls slang scene often depicted alongside Celestial symbols reflecting the cult's connection to the stars in the universe's divine order practices included initiation rituals with seven hierarchial grades each associated with the planet and symbolic challenges rituals often involve communal meals prayer and reenactments of myth's Deeds the cult secrecy and exclusion of women added to its mystique and initiates gathered in cave likee sanctuaries designed to emulate the sacred cave where mithis killed

the bull mithraism in Christianity shared similarities such as communal meals and themes of Salvation leading some Scholars to speculate on Mutual influence however mithraism secrecy and exclusivity prevented it from achieving Christianity's broader appeal no notable historical figures are directly associated with mithraism though it's prominence in the Roman military suggest patronage from influential officers the cult reached its peak during the second or 3rd centuries but declined in the 4th Century as Christianity became the Empire's dominant religion the Edict of theodosius in 391 outlawing Pagan practices marked the formal end of mithraism The Cult of Isis an

ancient religious movement centered on the worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis renowned as a deity of magic motherhood healing and protection originating in Egypt this cult gained prominence during the Greco Roman era especially after Alexander the Great's Conquest in 332 BC the cult reached its height in the Roman Empire spanning across the Mediterranean and influencing regions as far as Britain in the Middle East this cold admired Isis as a universal goddess who transcended cultural boundaries she was seen as a mother figure protector of the oppressed and a savior offering eternal life core beliefs emphasize Resurrection

personal salvation in the nature of life and death and initiates often underwent symbolic death and rebirth experiences reflecting isis's mythological role in resurrecting her husband Osiris the cult membership ranged across all social classes appealing to the marginalized and Elites alike while precise numbers are unclear its widespread temples including major centers like filey in Egypt and Doos in Greece suggest a significant following Roman emperors such as Caligula and demission showed favor toward the cult further boosting its influence however it often faced suspicion and persecution especially from Roman authorities wey of its foreign origins in subversive elements

the cult began as a localized warship in Egypt expanding through the helenistic world due to the merging of Greek and Roman religions it reached its peak during the first three centuries however with the rise of Christianity its influence dwindled Emperor theodosius the first orders against Pagan practices in the late 4th century and the closure of P temples marked the Colts decline the last known Isis Temple at filey was closed in the 6th Century under Emperor Justinian though the cult of Isis faded its themes of resurrection and salvation influenced later religious Traditions leaving a legacy in

Western spirituality the dionysian Mysteries were a secretive religious cult in ancient Greece and Rome devoted to the worship of dionis the god of wine fertility theater and ecstasy originating in Greece around the 7th Century BC the cult emphasized personal transformation emotional release and communion with the Divine through ritualistic celebration and symbolic death and rebirth the Colts belief centered on Dion isis's dual nature as a deity of life and death his myths particularly his death and Resurrection were interpreted as metaphors for the nature of Life fertility and the Soul's immortality followers believed participation in the Mysteries

brought spiritual Liberation communion with with the Divine in the promise of an afterlife practices included ecstatic rituals music dance drinking wine and the consumption of symbolic Foods initiates often entered a trans-like state to transcend ordinary Consciousness and achieve a mystical connection with dionisis he ceremonies such as the Bic Revels were held at night in involved parades with dramatic reenactments of dianis as myths and the tearing apart of live animals in Acts of symbolic renewal the cult was both influential and controversial as its emphasis on ecstatic release and challenges to social norms alarmed Greek and Roman

authorities the Roman senate famously suppressed the cult in 186 BC citing fears of political conspiracies in moral corruption despite restrictions the cult persisted and spread particularly among marginalized groups women and those seeking personal salvation the dionysian Mysteries influenced various cultural and religious practices and including Greek drama which originated from dionysian festivals some Scholars suggest the Cults themes of death rebirth and ecstasy influenced early Christian rituals in theology the cult declined with the rise of Christianity and the suppression of pagan religions during the late Roman Empire by the fourth and fifth centuries the Mysteries had largely

disappeared though their legacy persisted in art literature in the collective imagination of Western culture thank you very much for watching this video and if you learned something make sure to leave a like comment down below your thoughts on any of the Cults I talked about in this video And subscribe if you would like to see a part two or more videos like this one thank you again and goodbye