Feet of Clay: When Devotion Meant Death
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aum Shinri Kyo
Believed to have been started in 1987, this cult was led by Shoko Asahara, and combines elements of Buddhism and Christianity. Group best known for the 1995 Sarin nerve gas attack on a Tokyo subway in which 16 people were killed and 5,000 injured. One of the cult members was sentenced to death for the atrocity.
Branch Davidians
Including leader David Koresh, most perished in March 1993 after a 51- day siege at Waco, Texas. Eighty members, including 21 children, committed suicide, were murdered or shot by FBI. The group, also known as Students of the Seven Seals, believes in the imminent return of Christ and that the lamb in Revelation 5:2 is not Christ but Koresh.
The Family
This group was created by Charles Manson, referred to as God and Satan by his followers in California. Manson believed he would lead the remaining black population after a massive race war. In 1969, he told his followers to murder high-profile people, including Sharon Tate Polanski and her house guests. Manson is still serving life.
Heaven's Gate
Thirty-nine members of this Californian-based cult committed suicide in March 1997, believing a spaceship was going to take them to "paradise". The cult was founded by Marshall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie "Ti" Lu Trusdale Nettles. The group's beliefs combined elements of Christianity with beliefs about UFOs, interpreting Gospel passages as references to a visit from aliens.
Solar Temple
This was started by Luc Jouret, who convinced his followers he was a member of the 14th-century Christian Order of the Knights Templar during a previous life. Mixing Christianity with New Age beliefs, he said that after death he would lead them near the star Sirius. In 1994, believing they had to die by fire, 53 of them perished in mass-suicide blazes in Switzerland, Canada and France.
The People's Temple
This was founded in 1957 by Jim Jones, a former Methodist preacher who turned from philanthropy to become a dictator. He established an agricultural community in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1976. Two years later, 638 of his adult followers and 276 children died after drinking cyanide-laced Kool-aid or being shot by his security guards as "an act of revolutionary suicide".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments