Cults - Page 3

Synanon rehab center turned from helping to brainwashing with 'communal living experiment,' docuseries reveals

April 7, 2024

Synanon rehab center turned from helping to brainwashing with 'communal living experiment,' docuseries reveals

The Synanon Foundation started as a heroin rehabilitation center in Santa Monica in 1958, but by the 1970s, it had transformed into a cult with thousands of members.

Kenya starts to hand over to relatives the bodies of 429 members of a doomsday cult

March 26, 2024

Kenya starts to hand over to relatives the bodies of 429 members of a doomsday cult

Kenya's government began returning to relatives the exhumed bodies of more than 400 members of a doomsday cult; leader of the cult is accused of asking followers to starve themselves.

Self-styled 'prophet' charged with exploiting 251 children through labor in Zimbabwe

March 15, 2024

Self-styled 'prophet' charged with exploiting 251 children through labor in Zimbabwe

A man identifying himself as a prophet has been charged with exploiting children in Zimbabwe after police raided his compound, where he led a religious sect.

'One Tree Hill' star Bethany Joy Lenz names 'sinister' cult she allegedly spent a decade in

March 1, 2024

'One Tree Hill' star Bethany Joy Lenz names 'sinister' cult she allegedly spent a decade in

Bethany Joy Lenz announced her new memoir, "Dinner for Vampires," which focuses on the actress's life, including her experience as part of a cult for 10 years.

Suspects in Kenyan starvation cult case to be hospitalized after hunger strike

February 20, 2024

Suspects in Kenyan starvation cult case to be hospitalized after hunger strike

A Kenyan magistrate ordered doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 94 of his followers to be hospitalized after they appeared visibly frail in court following a hunger strike.

Kenya doomsday cult pastor, followers face charges including murder and child torture

January 16, 2024

Kenya doomsday cult pastor, followers face charges including murder and child torture

Kenya has ordered 95 people from a doomsday cult to be charged with various crimes, including murder, manslaughter, radicalization, cruelty and child torture.

Kenyan court gives prosecutors ultimatum in case against alleged starvation cult leader

January 9, 2024

Kenyan court gives prosecutors ultimatum in case against alleged starvation cult leader

A Kenyan court warned prosecutors Tuesday that it will release, among others, alleged doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie, if he is not charged in two weeks.

Woman allegedly killed by 'Soldiers of Christ' likely beaten 'to exorcise demon spirit': expert

January 9, 2024

Woman allegedly killed by 'Soldiers of Christ' likely beaten 'to exorcise demon spirit': expert

A grisly murder of a 33-year-old Georgia woman allegedly at the hands of the "Soldiers of Christ" has characteristics of a fanatic religious group, a cult escapee told Fox News Digital

Missouri police search for 6 missing people who followed so-called social media prophet

January 8, 2024

Missouri police search for 6 missing people who followed so-called social media prophet

Six people, including two children, have been missing from St. Louis since August. Police have linked them to a so-called online prophet named Rashad Jamal.

Church of Scientology is a 'criminal enterprise' that should face Mafia-like RICO charges: lawsuit

January 4, 2024

Church of Scientology is a 'criminal enterprise' that should face Mafia-like RICO charges: lawsuit

The Church of Scientology was called a "criminal enterprise" in a new court filing, which alleges leaders covered up actor Danny Masterson's rape and sexual abuse of members.