The Best Episodes of People Magazine Investigates: Cults

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.2/10(18 votes)

   #1 - The Sinful Messiah

   S2:E46/24/2019

   In 2014, a severed human leg draws attentions to The Work, an apocalyptic cult. Known as the Sinful Messiah, Julius Schacknow declares total devotion and terrible sacrifice, called the "special work," as the only way to achieve eternal salvation.

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2. 

   8.1/10(37 votes)

   #2 - Jonestown Massacre

   S1:E26/11/2018

   In the late 50's Jim Jones founded the People's Temple focused on helping those in need. By 1975 he was setting up what was supposed to be a utopia known as Jonestown. But utopia quickly turned into a hell as he spiraled deeper into his own paranoia.

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3. 

   8.1/10(23 votes)

   #3 - Heaven's Gate

   S2:E36/17/2019

   Heaven's Gate leader, Marshall Applewhite convinced 39 people to follow him to their graves. The world knows the horrible event as the largest mass suicide on US soil, but for followers, it was an exit strategy towards catching a UFO to heaven.

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4. 

   8.0/10(23 votes)

   #4 - Children of God

   S2:E16/3/2019

   Prophet David Berg attracts thousands of followers as the Children of God cult spreads through communes around the world. But his free love message turns sinister, espousing prostitution, sexual abuse of children and rampant violence in prison camps.

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5. 

   7.8/10(18 votes)

   #5 - The Nuwaubian Nation of Moors

   S1:E67/9/2018

   The followers of cult leader Dwight York come from all walks of life. Ruby joins the Nuwaubian Nation when looking for answers to life's big questions while Niki is brought in as a child. Both become disillusioned as they learn the truth about York.

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6. 

   7.7/10(34 votes)

   #6 - Tony Alamo Ministries

   S1:E16/4/2018

   Initially the Alamo Christian Foundation once held hope for a better society for young people seeking purpose. But when Susan Alamo dies of cancer Tony reveals his dark side and turns his anger on his followers including taking multiple child brides.

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7. 

   7.7/10(16 votes)

   #7 - Army of God

   S1:E57/2/2018

   Deborah & Jim Green believe they're Generals in a holy army for God, for more than 30 years their harsh rule has destroyed families and ruined lives. Cult survivors tell how the Greens transformed from charismatic hippies into militant cult leaders.

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8. 

   7.6/10(28 votes)

   #8 - Manson Family Murders

   S2:E26/10/2019

   In the late 60's, Charles Manson entices dozens of young women to live with him in a California desert commune. The facade breaks when he orders his followers to commit a string of murders that 50 years later, still haunt the nation's psyche.

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9. 

   7.3/10(27 votes)

   #9 - Yahweh Nation

   S1:E46/25/2018

   Yahweh Ben Yahweh is a respected religious leader in the 1980s but behind the facade, he rules his followers with terror and violence. One survivor shares the story of this cult leader whose ruthless tactics ruin hundreds of lives and leaves 14 dead.

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10. 

    7.2/10(32 votes)

    #10 - Word of Life

    S1:E36/18/2018

    The Word of Life Church, starts as a small bible study group led by Pastor Jerry Irwin. After his death, his daughter Tiffanie gains control and makes life hell for the church followers, leading to the brutal death of a teenaged boy.

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11. 

    7.2/10(21 votes)

    #11 - The Movement of God

    S2:E57/1/2019

    Charismatic preacher Sam Fife inspires a worldwide network of nondenominational Christian groups. To prepare for the apocalypse, followers renounce everything to move to the wilderness where they're subjected to beatings, exorcisms and brainwashing.

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12. 

    7.2/10(21 votes)

    #12 - Word of Faith

    S2:E67/8/2019

    To this day, lost souls flock to North Carolina where they're promised deliverance from demons by Pastor Jane Whaley at the Word of Faith Fellowship. But deliverance comes at a price, including beatings, medical horrors, and psychological abuse.

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