After acing an IQ test in 1988, 28-year-old Keith Raniere was able to brand himself “The Smartest Man in the World.” The moniker allowed him to seduce unappreciated businesswoman Toni Natalie, who would go on to help Keith grow the first of his predatory

William Miller gave numerous dates for the apocalypse, starting with October 22, 1844.

Harold Camping was a Christian radio evangelist who claimed life on Earth would end on May 21, 2011.

Pyotr Kuznetsov convinced his followers the world would end on May 28th, 2008.

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Founded by Saul B. Newton and Dr. Jane Pearce in 1957, the Sullivan Institute was designed to be an alternative to the traditional nuclear family—part therapy center, part polyamorous commune.

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.

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.

In 1986, Ryuho Okawa founded Happy Science to promote love, enlightenment and the creation of utopia.

Established in the early ‘90s, Eastern Lightning—also known as The Church of the Almighty God—believed Christ was reborn, manifesting in the form of a woman named Yang Xianbin.