Infamous Cults All Over the World

  • Lily Syahirah Ramlan
  • 17 Feb 2021
Oblivion can cause us a great deal of trouble, especially when you do not possess the right knowledge in religion. When the mind is tarnished and blind faith is imbued, people tend to veer off course and get involved with illegal and dangerous cults which could not only harm others, but even themselves by means of a mass suicide or genocide.
In this article, we are going to dissect the three most infamous cults all around the world which you may or may not have heard of. May Allah protect us all from ignorance and error in knowledge.

Most Infamous Cults in the World

1. Heaven’s Gate

Essentially, Heaven’s Gate was an America UFO cult founded in 1974, in California, USA. The followers of the Heaven's Gate cult were led primarily by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles.
According to their superstitious beliefs, the adherents thought the Earth and everything on it were about to be "recycled" to a clean slate before 2027. In order to survive, the only chance was to leave their human bodies at an appointed time. Initially the group had been told that they would be transported with their bodies aboard a spacecraft that would come to Earth and take the crew to heaven, referred to as the "next level", and believed hitching a ride on comet Hale-Bopp in March 1997 could allow them to survive. 
However, due to the preposterous heresy, 39 members including the cult leader, Applewhite, participated in a mass suicide by poisoning themselves in shifts in a California mansion wearing Nike's sneakers and armbands that read "Heaven's Gate Away Team."

2. Sky Kingdom (Kerajaan Langit)

Sky Kingdom or in Malay, Kerajaan Langit, was a Malaysian religious commune and sect founded by Ariffin Mohammed, who is known as Ayah Pin. The commune, based in Terengganu, Malaysia, was demolished by the government in August 2005. The Malaysian government estimated that there were 22,800 adherents altogether at the time.
One of the heretical beliefs Ayah Pin possessed was that he claimed to have direct contact with the heavens and is believed by his followers to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Buddha, Shiva, and Muhammad. Devotees of Sky Kingdom believe that one day, Ayah Pin will return as the Imam Mahdi. His followers considered him the king of the sky, and the supreme object of devotion for all religions.
Another dogma is that Ayah Pin accepts the existence of angels, as well as a class of Malaysian forest fairies, called Orang Bunian. The Sky Kingdom also emphasizes the importance of spiritual healing as well as dream interpretation.
However, in 2016, Ayah Pin was found dead at his hometown in Terengganu and his followers were detained by the government.

3. Aum Shinrikyo

Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984.The cult attracted young, elite university students and graduates who believed that the apocalypse was near and that they would be the only ones to survive.
In 1995, the adherents carried out a sarin nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway system, possibly in an attempt to bring about the apocalypse, and possibly to keep authorities from shutting down the group. Thirteen people died, and thousands were injured in the attack.
Thirteen members of the group received death sentences. The first seven, including leader Shoko Asahara, were hanged in early July 2018, and the remaining members were executed later that month. Ironically, the cult was never banned in Japan and still exists in offshoots. The cult currently has 1500 followers altogether.
In retrospect, we were all born a blank canvas and it is absolutely critical to choose the right and proper knowledge which will not lead us astray from the straight path. It is important for us to have a firm and strong foundation of Tawhid and abide by the rules according to Syari’ah as well as Fiqh. Hence, for those who are interested in expanding their knowledge in the realm of fiqh, rules of worship, explore more at:
https://www.simplyislam.academy/course/the-fiqh-of-worship

The People’s Temple (Jonestown)

Have you ever heard about the phrase ‘drinking the Kool-Aid’? This is where the phrase comes from.
Originated in Jonestown, Guyana, founder Jim Jones established the cult ‘the People’s Temple’ in the 1950s.
The organisation initially started as a progressive movement advocating racial equality. However, it devolved into one of the most infamous cults in history. In 1978, over 900 followers died in a mass murder-suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, after Jones instructed them to drink poisoned punch.
The phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid” tragically originates from this event, symbolizing blind, fatal loyalty.

The Branch Davidians

The Branch Davidians was founded by David Koresh, who claimed to be the final prophet.
Their Texas compound became the center of national attention in 1993 when a 51-day standoff with the FBI ended in a fiery siege.
Over 75 people, including many children, died. The tragedy sparked debates about religious freedom and federal force.

The Manson Family

Founded by Charles Manson, this California-based group of mostly young women and men believed in an apocalyptic race war Manson called “Helter Skelter.”
In 1969, members carried out a series of brutal murders, including that of actress Sharon Tate. Manson, though he never killed anyone himself, was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the attacks. The Manson Family remains a symbol of cult violence and manipulation.

NXIVM

What began as a self-help and professional development company spiraled into a secretive sex cult.
Led by Keith Raniere, NXIVM promised empowerment but trapped women in a master-slave dynamic, branding them and coercing them into sexual servitude.
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In 2020, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison. The scandal exposed the dangers of cults disguised as corporate or wellness organizations.

The Order of the Solar Temple

This secret society mixed New Age beliefs with apocalyptic Christian mysticism.
Founded in Europe during the 1980s, it operated under the premise of spiritual purification and preparing for life on Sirius. Between 1994 and 1997, over 70 members died in mass murder-suicides in Switzerland, Canada, and France.
Many believed they were transcending to a higher plane—but they were instead victims of deadly delusion.

The Family (Australia)

Led by Anne Hamilton-Byrne, The Family was a doomsday cult in Victoria, Australia.
She claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus and adopted children, many illegally, dyeing their hair blond and raising them in isolation. The children endured abuse, drugging, and manipulation.
Although Hamilton-Byrne faced minimal legal consequences, the cult's horrors were eventually exposed, leading to government investigations and public outcry.

Church of Scientology

Founded by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, Scientology has been labeled both a religion and a controversial cult.
With celebrity followers and global centers, it promises spiritual enlightenment through auditing and training. Critics allege abuse, coercion, financial exploitation, and aggressive silencing of dissenters.
References: 

https://www.unreservedmedia.com/cults-in-asia/
https://www.insider.com/
https://sunnah.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_Kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/
https://www.nst.com.my/
https://www.cbsnews.com/
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About The Author:
Written By:
Lily Syahirah Ramlan
Lily Syahirah is a Content Writer of SimplyIslam Academy based in Selangor, Malaysia. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree of Education (Teaching English as a Second Language) from International Islamic University Malaysia in 2020. She is actively invovled in public speaking, English language debates, poetry and theatre and loves to express her work through writing. Her love for language arts and imagination has led her to produce, direct and write experimental plays she's passionate about during her degree years. She was also actively invovled as a Master of Ceremony (Emcee) where she hosts minor and major events in IIUM.
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