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Top 10 Crazy Cults

Polygamists, UFOs, and apocalyptic prophesies abound

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2008 10:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Experts are debating whether the polygamist sect raided in Texas last week is a cult. Meanwhile, LiveScience has cooked up a list of bona fide cults—the top 10 craziest of them all:

Raëlians: Followers believe that UFOs spawned most religions and cloning can

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religion • list • polygamy • Jim Jones • Jonestown massacre • cult • Charles Manson • FLDS • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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Outside Sect, Life is Tough

Free from polygamous compounds, escaped women often turn to drugs and alcohol

(NEWSER) - Even for those women who escape the forced marriages and controlling patriarchy of polygamous sects like the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints, life isn’t easy. Many turn to drugs and alcohol to escape the mental burden, CNN reports. And some never leave because they’re programmed to think “it's not only physically dangerous … you're also risking your soul.” More»

Police Fear Stonewall by Polygamist Settlers

Faithful see government as 'devil'

(NEWSER) - Warren Jeffs' hand-picked, devoted settlers may refuse to testify against his polygamist compound in Texas, officials fear—making it tough to win cases of suspected child abuse. "All these girls are taught from the cradle not to trust anybody from the outside—especially the government," Utah's attorney general said. "We're the beast. We're the devil." More»

Texas Polygamists: Sect or Cult?

Sociologist explores such groups and what keeps people there

(NEWSER) - While much of the media is calling the polygamous group raided in Texas a “sect,” some experts say it’s better defined as a cult, LiveScience reports. One scientist points out that the word “cult” is often avoided in academia for its negative connotations. But “if you've got a group that's abusing hundreds and hundreds of women and children,” says a sociologist, “let's call it what it is.” More»

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Hospitalized

Convicted rapist not eating, drinking in Texas prison

(NEWSER) - Convicted rapist and polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was sent to a Texas hospital last night after refusing to eat or drink enough in prison, the AP reports. Facing a life behind bars without parole until he is at least 100 years old, 55-year-old Jeffs "hasn't been feeling well," his lawyer says. She didn't elaborate, but the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leader is said to be in critical but stable condition at the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. More»

FLDS Erecting Giant Statue of Jeffs

Colossal metal prophet to tower over FLDS compound

(NEWSER) - With their leader locked up until after his 100th birthday, his devoted followers in the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints are turning to the next best thing: A 38-foot-tall statue of Warren Jeffs. Members of the polygamist sect are secretly assembling a colossal metal statue of Jeffs which will tower over the group's compound on the Utah/Arizona border when it is completed, according to the Daily Beast , which cites "a trusted source." More»

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Top 10 Crazy Cults

Polygamists, UFOs, and apocalyptic prophesies abound

religion • list • polygamy • Jim Jones • Jonestown massacre • cult • Charles Manson • FLDS • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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More Newser Stories

Outside Sect, Life is Tough

Free from polygamous compounds, escaped women often turn to drugs and alcohol

Police Fear Stonewall by Polygamist Settlers

Faithful see government as 'devil'

Texas Polygamists: Sect or Cult?

Sociologist explores such groups and what keeps people there

Polygamist Warren Jeffs Hospitalized

Convicted rapist not eating, drinking in Texas prison

FLDS Erecting Giant Statue of Jeffs

Colossal metal prophet to tower over FLDS compound

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