Cults
When comedians become cult leaders
A wave of comics have worked their way into a space where political and religious leaders once stood tall as bastions of hope.
"If you talk, you die": Woman reveals how she escaped a cult
After enduring years of torture and abuse, Cheryl Rainfield fled her tormenters. Now an award-winning author, she writes books to help other survivors.
Capitol rioter saw "cult deprogrammer" for "stolen election" belief: Lawyer
Rioter Robert Sanford Jr. purportedly worked with a "cult deprogramming" expert over believing Donald Trump's 2020 election conspiracy theories.
"I was in an elite Manhattan cult for 23 years"
Spencer Schneider reveals what life was like in Sharon Gans' cult, in an exclusive Newsweek essay.
How Angela Lansbury saved her daughter from Charles Manson's cult
"He was an extraordinary character, charismatic in many ways, no question about it," Lansbury told the U.K.'s Daily Mail newspaper of Manson in 2014.
Cult Survivor Backed for Telling Sister She Was Just Like Kidnapper Dad
"It sounds like you are happy and secure in being who you want to be. It's not your fault that she can't see or accept that," one user said.
Jonestown: How Jim Jones Betrayed All His Followers
The victims of the Jonestown massacre were often portrayed as brainwashed sheep. In truth, many were murdered, including over 300 children. What began as an idealist experiment turned into a nightmare.
Jim Jones Commits the Largest Mass Murder-Suicide in History
The Ryan visit has gone badly wrong for Jim Jones, who starts a sequence of events culminating in the largest-ever mass murder-suicide. This is the final day in Jonestown.
'Help Us Get Out of Jonestown'
Congressman Ryan and journalists had been let in to see Jonestown, and the evening had gone well for Jim Jones. But then someone passed a journalist a note.
Ryan Sets Course for Showdown at Jonestown 'Prison'
Leo Ryan is less than impressed with the People's Temple in Georgetown; meanwhile, Jim Jones talks about death.
'I'm the Bad Guy': Congressman Ryan Arrives in Guyana
As Leo Ryan and various journalists arrive in Guyana, the authorities try to block their progress while Jim Jones gloats.
Jim Jones Drugged The Lawyer Who Stood Up to Him
Gene Chaikin was blackmailed back to Jonestown for the sake of his children - and Jones drugged him to keep him quiet.
'I'm Preparing to Make a Great Sacrifice,' Warns Jones
Jim Jones kept Jonestown residents disorientated with the constant barrage of his voice over the P.A. system, and spouting fake news.
Jones Tries to Block Ryan's Visit Through Guyana Pressure
Jim Jones used various women to influence Guyanese officials - could they block Leo Ryan's visit?
'Everyone is to Smile Constantly': Jonestown Prepares For an Earlier Visit
Before the fatal Ryan visit, Jim Jones prepared his followers for a visit from an author.
Jim Jones Conducted a Mass Murder-Suicide Dry Run
Jim Jones wore his followers down with frequent talk of being invaded, of the hopelessness of their struggle, and his logical conclusion: suicide.
The Jonestown Doctor Works Out How to Kill Everyone With Cyanide
How best to kill 1,000 people? Various methods were discussed in Jonestown, but eventually the doctor worked it out by experimenting with cyanide on a pig.
Jonestown Members Said They Were Fine, But They Were Afraid For Their Lives
Jim Jones gave strict instructions on cleaning up Jonestown before a U.S. consulate delegation visit - and told members exactly what to say.
Jim Jones Had a Twisted Idea of 'Revolutionary Suicide'
Jim Jones appropriated the idea of 'Revolutionary Suicide' - the risks of fighting oppression - and turned into a murderous notion designed to induce total loyalty.
Jim Jones Vows to Kill Whoever is Trying to Poison Him in Disturbing Audio
Jim Jones believed someone at Jonestown was trying to poison him, which is ironic given that he was planning to poison his entire congregation.
A 'McCarthy-Like Web': Jones Bans NBC From Jonestown
Jim Jones didn't want NBC in Jonestown partly because he had undergone a huge change thanks to his lifestyle of drink and drugs.
Heat, Hunger and Fear: How Jim Jones Kept his Followers in Check
Jim Jones went to lengths to hide the fact that his Guyana experiment was an abject failure.
Jim Jones Warned Leo Ryan's Visit Would Be a 'Grave Mistake'
Jim Jones knew Congressman Ryan's visit could ruin Jonestown. "We prefer death to this kind of harassment," he told officials.
Rep. Jackie Speier Compares Trump to Jonestown Cult Leader Jim Jones
"The only difference between Jim Jones and Donald Trump is the fact that we now have social media," she said on CNN.
Allison Mack's Plea for No Jail Time in NXIVM Cult Case: 'I Am So Sorry'
Mack, 38, called the leader of the group a "twisted man" in a letter apologizing to those she harmed.
Cult Leader Found Mummified in Colorado Home, Seven Arrested
The mummified corpse of a Colorado cult leader was found wrapped inside of a sleeping bag and covered in Christmas lights. Seven followers have been arrested.
What Was Heaven's Gate? True Story of Cult Featured in HBO Max Docuseries
UFOs, ascending to a higher power of being and abstaining from sex were all parts of the cult's teachings.
Twitter Reacts to NXVIM Sex Cult Leader Keith Raniere's 120 Year Sentence
Catherine Oxenberg and Mark Vicente were some of the first to comment.
Is India Oxenberg Still in NXIVM? Here's What She Told Good Morning America
"What I thought I was learning was self-help and personal growth," she said of the group, which has been called a cult by some.
Amanda Knox Signs Petition Supporting NXIVM Leader Keith Raniere
"These supporters of Mr. Raniere asked me to sign a petition," Knox explained in an email to an Albany publication. "I personally do not know enough about the case to make any judgments about whether his conviction is wrongful or not."