He grew up impoverished and had a lonely childhood before finding comfort and belonging in religion.

Dorothy Martin claimed to receive communications from outer space, warning of disastrous loss of life in 1955.

Lee Jang Rim frightened his followers around the world into believing that the Rapture was coming—an apocalypse that would end humanity on October 28, 1992. But after that date came and went, many members of the Dami Mission were left in a different kind

He was known to his followers as “Moses” but 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 good-natured—but beneath his affable persona lurk

The child of missionaries and grandson of a reverend, David Berg was destined for religious leadership. But as a victim of sexual abuse who never received support, David developed twisted ideas…

In the 1980s, a Japanese Buddhist-inspired cult called Aum Shinrikyo formed under a leader who tried to end the world.

In the late 1940s, Krishna Venta opened a religious compound in the San Fernando Valley.

Charles Manson transformed from a troubled child into a now-infamous cult leader, using psychological warfare to control his “Family.”

In a country torn apart by civil war, Credonia Mwerinde and Joseph Kibwetere were united by their desire for power.

In 1981, 50-year-old Valentina De Andrade convinced her neighbors that God was non-existent.