Cults

[Ineedmorecoffee]

Beachbody is definitely MLM. But they’re all a bit cultish anyway.

JW, it’s a tough one for me. I have family who are JW. They came to it later in life. As such their kids did go to services when they were younger but once they had the choice, they didn’t. They are very much of the opinion we chose to join, they have the right to choose also. They came to our church wedding, even though we said we understood if they felt that they couldn’t. Their response was we are family, why would we miss your wedding? They’re absolutely lovely people. As are the people I’ve met from their congregation.

I guess it’s like all religions, there’s a spectrum. From those who believe and follow but still have a foot in the real world, to those who wont go near anyone who is not like them or spread hatred towards anyone who doesn’t believe.

Cults, I feel there is in general no spectrum of belief. You’re either all in or you’re not.
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Was it a bit MLM?
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It’s a cult as far as I’m concerned. Also they keep getting the end of the world date wrong.

Although talking about the end of the world, I do find it hilarious that they have loads of sleeping bags and camping equipment for when the end comes

 

[People-huv-tae-know]

I've got a couple of terrifying historic (and gory so don't read if squeamish) cults for you to read about.

Crime lists on Ranker

Crime lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for top 10, top 100, best of, funny, factual lists of any kind

www.ranker.com

This one is all the scarier given what happened in 1990.

Jesus Christ Orders Teen To Cut Out His Mother’s Heart And Nail It To Wall

This is the MOST DISTURBING true-crime case you’ve NEVER heard of before. Heart Throb Tenerife, a beautiful island of the Canary Archipelago, is best known for its bright yellow Canary birds, it’s unique Spanish cuisine, and its 300 sunny days per year. However, what Tenerife is not known

talkmurder.com

I don't know much about modern cults although I was promised paradise by Jehova's Witnesses which was actually pretty tempting when I was at a vulnerable stage in my life. Of course they rely on vulnerability to reel in new members.

 

[skronkywildcat]

They are always about money and sex for some creepy guy.

 

[skronkywildcat]

Danny Masterson has been chucked out of Scientology - just read on the secret celeb gossip thread.

 

[HotesTilaire]

I’ve known several people who were shunned, when I was in my 20s as were they. One was gay. One was on her way to alcoholism and offering favours for cash. I felt so bad for them, they were so alone.

 

[HotesTilaire]

Also last Friday on C4 unreported world was on the Kenyan Pastor who convinced over 400 of his congregation to starve themselves to death the other month. Spoiler alert - he was still alive and they arrested him

 

[Notworthy]

It’s so weird how in America it seems like you just call yourself a pastor, organise some “bible study” of looking at a bible and going on about it, and everyone just believes that you are a good person and somehow close to God?
Im sure there are people everywhere who can get sucked in by religiousness, but in the USA it’s like anyone can be disarmed and exploited if you play the Jesus card to them.

It happens in the UK too. Have you not noticed how many 'churches' have sprung up lately.

 

[Lunagooner]

There's a 2 part documentary about the jesus army on bbc2, 2nd part on now

 

[ButtonDownTheHutches]

I can relate! I left a cult at 21. No exposure to music, tv, newspapers radios etc. also not allowed outside friends etc. none of it struck me as odd until I left and saw ‘ normal’ life.
Even to this day, 20 years later, I’m totally fascinated by the mundane and minutiae of normal existence. Just enjoy seeing how people live their lives.

This is one of the points I remember from one of the FLDS docs I watched: one of the ‘escapees’ said she had zero frame of reference for anything related to popular culture and when people started quoting ‘Friends’ she had no clue what was happening 🫤

 

[iLoveMeSomeCanoles]

I've seen posts vaguely on here about the Plymouth brethren, are they a religion or a cult or in between? Interested to know more about them if anyone knows anything (more fun to read people's opinions than to google)

They built a church? temple? ..Anyway place of worship in Salisbury in the 90s/early 00s. Saw the women occasionally in supermarkets/around town (they wear little headscarves). They buy houses in the area (they bought an acquaintance's old house).

 

[Archduchess of Luxembourg]

I love reading about the Mormons (might have to do with the TV series - Big Love) LOL but polygamy intrigues me as to - seriously if my partner was hooking up with my sister wife every second night.

The 'mormons' who still practise polygamy are fundamentalists; if you wanted to look into the Church of Latter Day Saints you will find that they 'outlawed' polygamy in the late 1800s when they wanted Utah to become a state; the US government wouldn't allow it due to that practise so they stopped it. There was a splinter group formed who wanted to continue and these people are the FLDS who practise other things that the modern LDS Church do not and never have done such as intermarrying/interbreeding within families.

 

[Restless Native]

Was she even really pregnant that time when they said it was ectopic.

 

[Stillwater]

Of course but the people (vulnerable yes) who end up suckered in - does it never chime? The self self selfness of it all.

These dancers were - all of a sudden like (planted) - looking to return to Church. At least some of might have known what the teachings of Christ were supposed to be about - others, giving, forgiveness etc. Suppose if you’re ripe for being brainwashed not much critical thinking going on.

America is especially Me focussed though I guess. The American Dream and all that.

But yes it’s always This Is About You Being The Best You followed by Then Give Me Money and Blowjobs.

 

[Witchfinder Sargeant]

This looks like it will be good, on the Jesus Army.

Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army

It began with a dream of heaven on earth in rural Britain - but the reality was abuse on a shocking scale. From hippy origins to controlling cult, the truth is only now emerging.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[TheMiceInTheShed]

Great podcast by BBC called ‘a very British cult.’ It was equal measures horrifying and fascinating!

Yes - I listened to this a little while ago - engrossing. Frightening how easy it seems to fall into a cult for some people. Not just lonely, isolated people, either - people in good relationships who have life experience - people you would think would be "protected" by life.

 

[Thank(space)you]

I've seen posts vaguely on here about the Plymouth brethren, are they a religion or a cult or in between? Interested to know more about them if anyone knows anything (more fun to read people's opinions than to google)

 

[FunkyMonkey]

Someone I am very close to has a terrible experience in a relationship with a JW. In brief it was as if they had never had a need to develop a moral compass of their own. Of course that could have been as much to do with the rest of their upbringing as their religion.
I always try to be kind to JWs when they come to the door as I feel quite sorry for them and personally think they must lead a sad and fearful existence (mind you be the nature of their beliefs I suppose they must think the same about me!).

 

[Ineedmorecoffee]

A few years ago I signed up for a diet and fitness programme which was genuinely great and effective. There was a really lovely support group on Facebook and some regular meet ups. There was something about it though that made my “nope” senses tingle and I ended up dropping it. I don’t think it was a cult but the potential was definitely there and it made me feel weird. I can’t explain it really but when I started to read a bit more about the pattern cults follow I ticked off a few things when think g back to that programme.

Wasnt Beachbody was it?

 

[Bobby Chariot]

There's a new documentary on BBC i-player

Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo - Series 1: Episode 1

In the 1960s, preachers Susan and Tony Alamo recruit vulnerable young people to join their cult promoting personal salvation. Over time, the group faces allegations of abuse.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Warpaint]

I think one of the Phelps girls does talks now on what it was like growing up in a cult.

Also ' Martha Marcy May Marlene' is a good film about a young woman adapting to life outside a cult