Cults

As the 1980s began, Terri Hoffman and her followers seemed to be flying high. But after several people associated with Terri suffered mysterious deaths, her organization faced accusations of brainwashing, theft, and murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1970s, Terri Hoffman went from high school drop-out to leading New Age mystic. Her Dallas-based organization, the Conscious Development of Body, Mind, and Soul, targeted affluent residents…and their wallets. But as her influence grew, so did suspicions about her shady practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In June of 1888, John Alexander Dowie moved his family to the United States to found the holy city of Zion. He envisioned the Illinois town as a paradise, but soon his immense wealth clouded his judgment, and Dowie came crashing down to Earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

His drive for independence eventually led him to create a spiritual movement all of his own in the late 1800s. After founding the Divine Healing Association, John Alexander Dowie went from a discontented minister to a leading figure in Australia’s faith healer movement. But money and success would eventually be his downfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Founded by Charles “Chuck” Anderson in the Wisconsin Dells in 1992, Endeavor Academy was a religious group claiming to be able to lead its students to enlightenment. But as Endeavor’s public profile grew, so did the controversy surrounding it—with allegations of abuse that some claim drove multiple members to suicide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Founded by software guru Frederick Lenz in 1981, the Rama Cult operated in the Los Angeles and Tri State areas until 1998. Lenz referred to himself as "Rama," and claimed to be able to lead his acolytes to wealth and enlightenment—but has been accused of psychologically manipulating those who trusted him most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Founded by Gary Douglas in the 1990s, “Access Consciousness” went from a mystical meditation clinic to an international media empire. This movement attracted tens of thousands of followers a year, and eventually earned Gary an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are thrilled to bring you a brand new episode of Cults today and for the foreseeable future. We thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time. Operating in France from 2001 to 2004, members of the New Lighthouse Movement believed that after the apocalypse, humanity would ascend to heaven with the help of Aliens. This ascension could only be possible with the help of their founder, Arnaud Mussy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He built the Dera Sacha Sauda by exploiting the people who trusted him most. Though news of Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s abuse first reached Indian authorities in 2002, his political connections kept him safe from arrest. But over the years, his violent fanaticism continued to escalate—until he couldn't hide anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1990, Gurmeet Ram Rahim became the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda movement. Originally, the group promoted charity and taught meditation practices, but under Gurmeet, its activities became significantly darker. Eventually, Gurmeet had over 60 million followers, who he exploited for his every desire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you enjoy the stories told in Cults, check out this episode from our series Female Criminals: In 1911, Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard took her cruel alternative medicine practices to a new level by opening her infamous sanitarium in Washington—which locals would dub "Starvation Heights.” There, Linda continued her abuse and fraud by financially exploiting and starving wealthy British heiresses, Dora and Claire Williamson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you enjoy the stories told in Cults, check out this episode from our series Female Criminals: She was a turn-of-the-20th century medical practitioner who preached starvation as a method of curing disease. But it was Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard’s childhood exposure to fad remedies that shaped her interest in alternative medicine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to leader Pyotr Kuznetsov, the world would end in May 2008, so in November 2007 he proposed his group move to an underground cave and wait out the apocalypse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Based on his belief that religious institutions had been sullied by modern practices, this apocalyptic cult aimed to cleanse themselves by abandoning their families and possessions, and living as a roving group of dumpster-divers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the late 60s, Charles Manson preached that the end of the world would come about due to an apocalyptic race war, which he dubbed "Helter Skelter." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do UFOs, Abraham Lincoln, and God making his television debut have in common? They’re all strangely linked to the Chen Tao cult, and the imminent nuclear apocalypse prophesied by leader Hon-Ming Chen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He gave numerous dates for the apocalypse, but none resulted in the end of the world. But it did result in the eventual formation of the Seventh-day Adventist movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He said that life on earth would end on May 21st, 2011. When it didn’t, he amended his date to October 21st, 2011. It didn’t end then either. Meet Harold Camping, a Christian radio evangelist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As society approached the year 2000, there was worry about a Y2K bug that might cripple technology. But there was also fear that cults with doomsday prophecies would do whatever it took to fulfill them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re looking at the Sullivan Institute founded by Saul B. Newton and his wife, Dr. Jane Pearce in 1957. It was designed to be an alternative to the traditional nuclear family—part therapy center, part polyamorous commune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Franz Edmund Creffield was the leader of the Brides of Christ church. Often referred to as the Holy Rollers, members were known to roll on the floor pleading, for God’s forgiveness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Along with his brother Yaaqob, Yisrayl Hawkins founded the House of Yahweh in 1980. They produced their own version of the bible and made numerous predictions that did not come true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The three main points in Ryuho Okawa’s teachings are love, enlightenment, and the creation of utopia. But Happy Science is also a political party and they have some strong views about neighboring countries that shape their worldview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eastern Lightning preached that Jesus Christ had been reborn and walked the Earth. Founder Zhao Weishan said the woman he was in a relationship with, Yang Xiangbin, was there to save their souls before the world ended. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dorothy Martin claimed to receive communications from outer space, warning of disastrous loss of life in 1955. Her wild prophecies attracted Dr. Charles Laughead and a small group of followers known as the "Seekers." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He frightened his followers around the world into believing that the Rapture was coming—an apocalypse which would end humanity on October, 28th, 1992. But after that date came and passed, many members of the Dami Mission were left in a different kind of devastating state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was known to his followers as “Moses.” His actual name was Roch Theriault, and he led one of the most infamous cults in Canadian history: The Ant Hill Kids. Theriault fooled many into thinking he was nice—but beneath his affable persona lurked a sadistic monster with horrific plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although it went through many name changes over the years, one thing remained the same for David Berg’s apocalyptic Christian cult, “The Children of God”... End Times were inevitable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was born as Chizuo Matsumoto, and later known as Shoko Asahara—leader of the Japanese Buddhism-inspired cult, Aum Shinrikyo. Asahara and his followers didn’t just foretell the end of days, but rather took it upon themselves to wipe humankind off the face of the earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

His authoritarian, new-age religious organization was called the Fountain of the World. Leader Krishna Venta built a community cooperative and told his followers that the Apocalypse was coming. But only his chosen followers would survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Credonia Mwerinde told her followers that the world would end in the year 2000. When it didn’t, the followers had questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1981, 50-year-old Valentina De Andrade convinced her neighbors that God was non-existent. Then she told them that Jesus was an extraterrestrial who would be arriving soon in an alien craft to save them from the end of days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1989, Wayne Bent formed the Lord Our Righteousness Church. He convinced his followers that the end of the world was coming. And by 2007, the members of his church were prepared to die. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They alleged that a close encounter with an undiscovered 10th planet would lead to catastrophic natural disasters and the destruction of humankind. Today’s episode features self-proclaimed prophet Yuko Chino and her Pana-Wave religious cult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the fall of 2008, pastor Ronald Weinland announced that the final seventh seal referenced in the Book of Revelation had been opened, signaling the start of a countdown to end times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She founded the Church Universal and Triumphant and encouraged her followers to dig fallout shelters to prepare for nuclear war in the late-1980s. Discover the peculiar beliefs—and visions—of Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1984, Luc Jouret founded the Order of the Solar Temple with Joseph Di Mambro. A decade later, the two men would convince their followers that it was necessary to ascend to a higher spiritual plane to avoid the apocalypse. The plan...suicide by fire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Also known as “Raël,” Claude Vorilhon created a movement in 1974 founded on his communication with a highly advanced race of aliens—an atheist religion known as Raëlism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Founded by Jim Jones in 1955, The Peoples Temple culminated in the deaths of 913 people—one of the biggest mass murder-suicides in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She says she developed a sixth sense after traumatic brain injury. This led Erika Bertschinger to change her name to Uriella and start Fiat Lux, a UFO cult that believed the end of the world was coming...in 1998. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You might remember the 51-day standoff with authorities in 1993, but there’s plenty of details you might not remember about David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He required his members to cut all ties with outside influences. And then in 1997, he convinced them to do the unthinkable in order to enter a higher existence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Due to the unfortunate spread of COVID-19, Parcast has decided to halt recording for the time-being. This is a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of our hosts and staff. In the meantime, we're excited to share one of our classic episodes that we know you'll enjoy! Founded in 1967, thousands of followers of the Nuwaubian Nation believed themselves to be descendants of aliens, waiting to be beamed up before the apocalypse. Dwight York’s control was so strong, many people still support him now, despite 100+ years remaining on his prison sentence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a sophomore in high school, Rod Ferrell bonded with a group of goth outcasts through their shared love of a roleplaying game called Vampire: The Masquerade. But Rod’s vampiric obsessions were more than some teenage fantasy, and in November of 1996, he proved that there was more to his thirst for blood than just fun and games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She drew both criticism and adulation after announcing that she would be giving birth to the “child of god” in 1864. As it turned out, Joanna Southcott’s prophecies would become the stuff of legend, and outlive her by more than a century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Self-proclaimed Christian prophet Joanna Southcott led an ordinary life in England as a domestic servant for years. But at the age of 42 in 1792, that all changed, when she heard the voice of God. What He told her would shock the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1995, Hon-Ming Chen founded a UFO cult in Taiwan. His followers clung to him because they believed he could save them from an imminent nuclear apocalypse. Instead, he led them on a wild goose chase that involved searching for an Abraham Lincoln look-alike in Canada, interpreting clouds, and waiting for God to make his nationally televised debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Cults that you might have missed! Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh felt discomfort with his own mortality from a young age. Over time, his spiritual studies and beliefs about capitalism and sexuality led Rajneesh to become a charismatic cult leader. This charisma attracted Ma Anand Sheela, the woman who rose from a 20-year-old devotee to a powerful leader in the cult that launched a deadly bioterrorism attack on over 750 Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He consolidated his power over an offshoot of the white supremacist group, Posse Comitatus. Rooted in an extremely racist theology called “Christian Identity,” Michael Wayne Ryan then used the organization to justify the torture and violence he inflicted on his followers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early 1980s, Michael Wayne Ryan went from a frustrated, directionless slacker to the leader of a violent cult composed of down-on-their-luck farmers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices