Top 10 Crazy Cults

Polygamists, UFOs, and apocalyptic prophesies abound
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 12, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
Top 10 Crazy Cults
Flames engulf the Branch Davidian compound in this April 19, 1993 file photo, in Waco, Texas.   (AP Photo/FILE/Susan Weems)

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:

  1. Raëlians: Followers believe that UFOs spawned most religions and cloning can lead to reincarnation.

  1. Order of the Solar Temple: Founded by a neo-Nazi, this group is said to have sacrificed a child they think is the antichrist.
  2. Branch Davidians: This cult believed the apocalypse was imminent; it all but died off after a 1993 FBI raid left 76 dead.
  3. Manson Family: Charles Manson's "family" believed a race war would spark the apocalypse; when it didn't, Manson sent them to kill those who had failed to help his music career.
For the full list, click the link below. (More religion stories.)

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