“The Workers' Institute” - Aravindan Balakrishnan

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 abou...

9 Apr 20207min

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 Elizabet...

8 Apr 20206min

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 ...

6 Apr 20208min

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 choic...

5 Apr 20206min

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/...

4 Apr 20207min

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 comin...

3 Apr 20207min

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. Vis...

2 Apr 20206min

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...

1 Apr 20207min