He grew up impoverished and had a lonely childhood before finding comfort and belonging in religion. Jimmie T. Roberts took devotion to its extreme, amassing followers and persuading them to sacrifice everything for the sake of salvation. 

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This month, we’re featuring mini episodes from our hit podcast Cults: Dorothy Martin claimed to receive communications from outer space, warning of disastrous loss of life in 1955. Her wild prophecies attracted Dr. Charles Laughead and a small group of followers known as the "Seekers."

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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 of devastating state.

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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 lurked a sadistic monster with horrific plans.

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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…

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In the 1980s, a Japanese Buddhist-inspired cult called Aum Shinrikyo formed under a leader who tried to end the world. It became one of the most feared cults in history.

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In the late 1940s, Krishna Venta opened a religious compound in the San Fernando Valley. He preached about love and knowing oneself, and claimed to be the embodiment of Christ. Then he announced the world would end in 1965, and only his chosen followers would survive. 

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Charles Manson transformed from a troubled child into a now-infamous cult leader, using psychological warfare to control his “Family.” Charismatic and manipulative, he broke members down until they’d do anything to stay in his good graces—including murder.

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This month, we’re featuring mini episodes from our hit podcast Cults: In a country torn apart by civil war, Credonia Mwerinde and Joseph Kibwetere were united by their desire for power. Claiming they were messengers of God called upon to save the world from its impending apocalypse, they preyed upon the vulnerable and passionately religious in Ugandan society.

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In 1981, 50-year-old Valentina De Andrade convinced her neighbors that God was non-existent. Then she told them that Jesus was an extraterrestrial who would be arriving soon in an alien craft to save them from the end of days.

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