Which of these do you find most disturbing? Let us know in the comments! For more content like this, click here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o8CSgbdercrPqmg.html Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm and 8pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

I’m less than a minute into this video (before the actual list), and I can say that anyone NOT in Scientology thinks Scientology is a cult. I’m kind of mad my phone just capitalized it twice like my phone is acknowledging their cult. Did I mention the word cult? Because it’s a cult.

Scientology once again held WatchMojo at gunpoint When my statement triggered WatchMojo you know there's something wrong💀😂

I always like how these cults make you get rid of everything you own ,yet the leader lives in big place with all kinds of material stuff. That should be the first sign to people it's a cult. leader lives like royalty and doesn't follow the rules he preachs but you have to.

Anyone thinking cults would not be able to get you to join up, please think again. Thee followers are not stupid or gullable; they are looking for meaning. Cult leaders play into very ancient very useful (survival) instincts. These people know EXACTLY what buttons to push. Please learn the signs of cults and remain vigilant.

Really, WatchMojo? No Scientology? Biggest cult out there, these days. 🤦

"He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them." (Luke 21:8)

Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities -Voltaire

It used to boggle my mind, how people get drawn into a cult. Then I learned its all psychological manipulation and very unfortunate circumstances the individuals find themselves in.

A friend of mine literally was asked on our university campus to join Shinchonji, a korean cult. It's actually scare to know that some of them are in the middle of our society

I live about 20 minutes from one of these and pass by it on the way to work. Members own lots of businesses in the area and it’s crazy how many stories I’ve heard of them being able to escape legal trouble. As a Christian myself, it’s scary to see that they take such extreme actions and do so many awful things all while claiming to be Christian themselves. It really ruins the reputation for the rest of us. Not all churches and religious organizations are bad, but there are very few good ones left in my opinion.

The Harvest Center outside of Albany, Wisconsin has to be one of the weirdest cults. Founder is Tom Thorpe, who’s argued for years that he is not a cult leader but has forced people many times to sell all possessions and remove themselves from family in the name of God.

It's wild how you noted you were excluding the very most stark and striking example of the subject at hand, and yet made a prominent note of it at the very start

When she was younger, my Mom was nearly recruited by a cult (I think the Family). A friend invited her to attend a meeting but she turned them down. Am I ever glad, she did.

Taylor Swift fans should be #1

As Frank Zappa said, "The only difference between a cult and religion is the amount of real estate they own."

Not including Scientology is outrageous 😂

Wow, I was annoyed when I heard you weren't covering Scientology, but these cults are even weirder, which is saying something. Thanks, WatchMojo!

"Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, born Joyce Green" Y'all, don't make me spit my drink out, I'm right in front of my computer. 😂😂😂

"Which of these do you find most disturbing?" ALL OF THEM

The secret in creating a "Successful" cult is to establish a Rank system in the cult. This method is a well known psychological phenomenon where the "Rankee", aspire to get to the highest Rank possible where the leader is. A Ranking system in its core principle is what keeps the establishment running whether it's a cult or "earning points" in sales.

signs its a cult not a religion 1.) Charismatic Leader 2.) Preaching that all those close to you and outside world is your enemy 3.) leader claiming they are a god or what ever 4.) Mass deaths 5.) Prevent any contact with anyone 6.) too controlling

Any cult that hurts children, Scientology, or otherwise should disappear

Back in the early 70s, I was in a religious cult called The Restored Israel of Yahweh, led by a man claiming to be the resurrected prophet Jeremiah, who would, of course, not die but would lead all of us to the "Kingdom" of Yahweh. He died in 2000, about a month before I got back together with my husband, into the marriage that the cult broke up. The cult is still together. God help the chlidren!

Any group that has you disconnect from family, friends and give up possessions, are evil wolves in sheep's clothing. They trap people who are looking to fill emptiness inside themselves, or seeking some connection to God. There are a lot of young people out there looking for something to help them and these are usually the easiest victims.

I dated a Moonie. The fact that he was in a relationship with a non believer meant he was breaking a major rule. But he still insisted that his children will be set up with their future partners by the church. But it's ok if he picks his own partner. As long as I converted. I really didn't want to. Thankfully we're not together anymore lol. That was fucked up.

I’m sorry mojo but Scientology should be at the top of list. Cults all have the same outline and disconnection from your family who don’t believe and society is the first thing they make you do! Jehovah witnesses should be on there too!

The word of faith fellowship looked like an SNL skit 😂

I think it's interesting how we still separate cults from modern religion, when religion has done all these things too and still do.

Watching this makes you realise how much humans need to feel part of something and that there are oddballs out there that are masters at exploiting that!! It seems people will believe anything to satisfy that need. 😢

My mother discovered Raëlism when I was young. She was not a part of the cult, but for years believed the teachings and tried forcing the family into the ideology. Disappeared for awhile, later found out she was manic and dangerous.

Scientology is not a religion... Its an organization... Therefore deserves to be #1 on this list!

Every time I learn about cults, I end up feeling like I must be different from a lot of people. Like I don't think I could ever be coaxed in.

In essence, dont follow anything that attempts to control you

Lord Saddler: “I wish my cult is still active😔” Leon Kennedy: “Too bad, so sad.”

That speaks volumes that you couldn’t include Scientology when they are clearly cult. Wow I knew they had serious money and I know how “far” that gets people but wow they got more then i realized smh

Scientology definitely needs to be on this list

Qualities and characteristics of a cult : 1. The group displays an excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader, and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law. 2.Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. 3.Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, or debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s). 4.The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (e.g., members must get permission to date, change jobs, or marry-or leaders prescribe what to wear, where to live, whether to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). 5.The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members (e.g., the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar-or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). 6.The group has a polarized, us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. 7. The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders, or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations). 8. The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (e.g., lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities). 9. The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and control members. Often this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion. 10. Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group. 11. The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. 12. The group is preoccupied with making money. 13. Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. 14. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. 15. The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave-or even consider leaving-the group. I see #1,#2,quite a bit of #5, #6, especially 7 , 8 , and oh boy #12 in one group in America - MAGA - so is it a cult? you tell me .

to be fair, i'm lowkey glad that they didn't include scientology on this list, cause they've been talked about to death by every other list and their grandmother's lists. like i love learning about these new weirdos and all these different cults. keeps things fresh :)

"we won't include "recognised" religions like Scientology" Translation: "we at WatchMojo are too chickenshit to actually call Scientology a cult for fear of a lawsuit"

There have been countless former members of Scientology that have told about the strange inner workings of the organization. And for you WatchMojo to not include them is rather concerning.

the strain of not having bad thoughts in the happiness cult would honestly break me and make me feel very nervous

I am no expert but I have studied body language markers, specifically when people are lying or making things up and how open to having their views or ideals debated....a lot of these cults use gentle words with aggressive gestures.

It blows my mind how anyone can be manipulated into any of this.

Weird but a lot of the criteria that you are using to describe these cults also applies to the most "officially recognized religions". And just because some governments and millions of people find them acceptable that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, ridiculous, manipulative, money-grubbing and deceptive collectives of delusional control freaks. A "religion" is just a really popular and powerful cult. Oh, and I thought I saw Ma in the thumbnail. Interesting fact: a certain famous American folk musician (think long anti-war song about a diner) become a devotee of the Kashi Ashram in the late 80's/really 90s. He also later become a Republicant, causing his even more famous socialist folk-singing father to spin in his grave yet again. But yeah, my girlfriend at the time got sent to the Sebastian compound by her mother who was the bookkeeper for this musician. The letters I got while she was there were just bizarre. But apparently this Ma was a really good rock drummer.

i've been raised catholic & i don't know how people still doesn't consider it a cult

" They control your money". That's the moral of the story kids.

MAGAts. Weirdos,traitors and losers with Daddy issues.

Thank God for Jesus!! 🙌🏾

I had a old friend that believed in Raelism. Literally spoke to me for over an hour trying to convince me. As I’m an Aithest I did not believe him but just nodded my head waiting for him to finish. Haven’t spoken to him in years but doubt that he still doesn’t believe that.

It's scary to hear that these are STILL active. Thanks for warning us, WatchMojo! And you don't know where they are.

I will always be impressed with Rebecca’s ability to pronounce foreign names and locations.

Teal Swan and Twin Flames are ones I just found out about. Crazy to think people can still be manipulated instead of using common sense.

You forgot about joel osteen ministries, and kenneth copeland ministries…

I want to see a deep dive on Q. That shits crazy.

In the mid-1970s, I became a devotee of Guru Maharaji, whose followers worshipped him as the Perfect Master, or modern Messiah. At that time, the group was very much a cult, but it changed, years after I left, into more of a spiritual self-help group. To this day it exists as such. Maharaji goes by his legal name, Prem Rawat, and runs a charitable foundation. I don't know whether his teachings are genuine or not.

As the great philosopher P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a seeker born every minute." Or something like that.

Only 3 years ago, my friend and I got drawn into relationships with girls from that Osho cult. We thought it was just an harmless yoga and meditation group but I got concerned when I noticed all her friends had black boyfriends, their homes were all furnished and decorated exactly the same, they were all vegans, they went on the same retreats, and had the same guru. My girlfriend's demands for sex were at first flattering but then turned aggressive like she was possessed. I swear it felt like my soul was being drained. A succubus spirit. My friend said he felt the same draining energy at night, but blamed something else. It was like the psycho thriller "Get Out" because getting out was the worst part. She turned everyone against me, i even lost my best friend because she convinced everyone that I was the abusive one - an easy sell for rejected women. It was horrendous. At my lowest point I noticed a billboard message saying Christ Loves You. I'd seen it a thousand times before but then it meant much more this time. If my creator loves what he created with his own hands why should I care if I'm rejected by anyone? I wasted my whole adult life trying to be the "ladies man" now its time to rediscover the authentic me. To get 'Born Again' I guess. I am now a loner and I love it. I have never felt one second of loneliness, insecurity or need for approval since.

The exclusion of Scientology discredits the whole list!

True love is helping someone in true need when NO ONE is watching.

This was an unusually good Watch Mojo video. I have been studying cults on my own and observing them since 1975, But I have never heard of the majority of these groups. Also, I did not spot any errors in the descriptions of the groups that I did already know about. Very often, in videos talking about cults, there are errors, and people accuse you of defending them when you point this out. Finally, I like the Wink wink nudge nudge way that they dealt with the lawsuit happy church of Scientology. By saying "We are not going to describe this group as a cult, even though many people believe that they are one."

After watching this I've Never been prouder to be an Atheist.

I found one thread that runs through almost all of the cults, their leaders became wealthy by starting a cult. Gee, who could see that coming?

I was surprised how many of these groups were founded and/or led by women. My education on starting cults, which comes from the show, "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", makes that seem unlikely, if possible at all. But seriously, it's beyond me how people allow themselves to be dominated so completely by another person or group.

Even @WatchMojo is afraid of talking about the Church of Scientology! 🤣

If a cult would want me to give most of my income then I will give them the middle finger.

Should include MLMs like Amway and Herbalife.

I went to Osho Rajneesh when I was 20 years old. Spent many years with him when he was alive. Including working for about two years and his house in India. Yes there was shit that happened around him. I came with a lot of garbage that needed cleaning up when I went to him. And my experience of being with him was phenomenal. It has change my life for the better. It has freed me so much of the programming that we are all filled with in our heads. Being with him shifted me from being a victim of a brutal childhood into Seeing I was a victim of my unconscious brutal mind. He pointed me back to the peace that is inside me. And that is inside all of us. It’s unbelievable how much of a life I have now thanks to Him pointing me back to something deeper clearer and freer inside me. He was unbelievably brilliant.

The Open Arms church in Bradford, PA is very strange and cult like. They gave me gifts the first time I went to the sermon, said that I had to give more than 10% of my income to them and then i received a very racy postcard that read "do you like sex? God does and he wants you to as well". That was enough for me 😂

Y’all definitely wanted to include Scientology but you just didn’t want to be hunted down 💀

My favorite cult is the Blue Oyster Cult

Something like this happened to a church in Halifax NS …a new pastor moved in & then started to bully & spiritually abuse the Church members and place ultimatums for service that deeply disadvantaged citizens. It was the start of a personality cult that people stopped & walked away from. If you think your life is being dominated in the area of finances family contacts or sexual/personal relationships-you NEED TO STEP BACK and re-examine what is going on.

An idea popped up in my head for a video game, and i think that people would gladly play... A fighting game where all of these cult leaders are selectable characters.. 🙃

I remember at my job I worked with a guy who was from the South and came to California where he was living in an apartment with other churchgoers. He was part of a group led by a charismatic pastor who encouraged him and his followers to leave their lives behind in Texas and move with him. That was already sketchy enough but the coworker was someone who found god after a life of addiction and was very kind. He invited me to a service once and I accepted. The moment I saw the pastor, I was already thinking this is weird because he was escorted at all times by bodyguards. I’m Catholic and not even our bishops get vip treatment like that. Just seeing that alongside the leaving lives behind to follow this man made me realize this was a cult. The congregants were very friendly but yeah I never went back there again after that.

Osho's very vague interest in communist literature is unforgivable. It's not that it's a part of materialistic philosophy that every philosophy student has to read. If you read it, you wouldn't mention it because Osho was a turbocapitalist and the communist readings happened when he was very young.

i think the bretheren approached a bunch of us kids in 1975 or so , we asked how will you eat?, where will you sleep? etc. and they just said they traveled and preached the word and God would take care of them, to my 15 year old mind it seemed unsound but the more power to them as long as no one is hurt.

I lost my belief of religion because of how people treated other who didn’t follow their beliefs and how they tried to force their beliefs on people despite the fact that they are hypocrites, this video reassures why I don’t believe in god or any religion even atheist

Huh. I would've added the Westboro Baptist Church, honestly. Maybe they don't qualify, but they should.

We studied Scientology in a sociology class on cults.

I met someone who was raised in The Family International cult. What happened to her was devastating and she’s still working through what she went through well into her 50s.

There is a very fine line between worshiping and following a God, and worshiping and following a human leader…and when that line is crossed, it gets dangerous.

The only difference between a cult and a religion is about a thousand years.

The answer is mormonism. As someone who married into a Mormon family and watched them get out of it, it was terrifying. We watched the church leaders defend a man who was arrested and found guilty of choking his infant daughter, because as they put it, he was more reliable in the eyes of the church then an unmarried woman. Not only that, they made him a high member of their temple, despite the proof of abuse and arrests. Yet the women cant do that. Including the younger women who were asked by the local bishop to consider going on a mission and marrying instead of school. Once the family was removed fully from the church, they sent the family church records to the father, who doesnt even have visitation rights, because he abused them and was arrested for it. He then sent members to the house week after week to try and get the kids to go with them even though they were asked not too. The bishop wouldn call and explain to us why we were wrong, even sending people over to read from the book with us. We had to have a high member of the local church board move the bishop to another neighborhood to get them to stop. We havent had issues since the bishop, who was caught on a group call telling the mother she was unfit because she was an unmarried woman and sinner, was moved. Not demoted or punished, just moved and kept in his spot of power. On top of all that, families having to pay a yearly fee to pray in their temples and being unable to even enter without paying, doesnt sound super God like to me. They even told our 16 year old she needed to pay them from her summer job. Yea. The issues surrounding the local wards here are surprisingly disgusting. Hopefully its just a local thing.

People are starved for an void in their souls,so sad.

How can there a "cult list" with NO SCIENTOLOGY at the top ?!? I understand you don't wanna get sued but it feels weird talking about all these obscure cults while the big one is going unmentioned....

Jeez , if you guys included scientology ,would the group dump emails and threats of lawsuits like they allegedly did to others openly criticizing scientology ?

Ιt seems strange to me that so many people can believe such dreadful rubbish. All religions are more or less based on absurdities, but these cults are way over the top.

No wonder Lord Jesus calls us sheep!

scientology, mormonism and catholicism are the top three.

So many sects …people might be so desperate for “love” or belonging and vulnerable to endure such abuse and creepy stuff

"Lets leave out the most obvious cults just in case they become upset..."

These cults isolate their members from their families because of the near inevitability of them being forced to leave the group, because any weird religion is viewed as a cult. If we didn't try to force people to be normal, maybe they wouldn't make isolation such a priority, and the real predatory groups might be easier to spot. We'll still have cults of course, and some will still isolate their members, but it would help us to discern between people who are being taken advantage of and situations where real crimes are being committed from extreme groups of people who just don't believe what main stream society does. They might be doing something irresponsible, unhealthy, maybe even dangerous, but if its a freely made choice, its their choice. Some people choose to reject modern technology as part of their religion. I have heard random people calling the amish a cult and others describing specific amish communities as cults, but for the most part, we all accept them as just different from us. If a group of people want to reject materialism and live as homeless people, you don't have to encourage it, just don't forcefully stop them. If there's real fraud, coersion, force, blackmail, rape, abuse, assault, etc going on which does happen in some cults, this should be addressed, but everybody else should be left alone.

Not surprised that Scientology isn't on this list. Don't wanna open that can of decomposed worms

Scientology is an “officially recognized religion”? by who??

Happy Science! Never heard of that one yet! I like it!

In this age of information, ignorance and stupidity are a choice ... soon the world will no longer tolerate nor accept ignorance and stupidity, and all religions and cults shall vanish 😇

I love how Tom Holland went Crazy when you did "Welcome to watch mojo"

These are so crazy that Scientology, the Westboro Baptist Church, and IBLP don't even make the top 20!

For those of you watching and want to know how many cults and cultists are in Japan, it's a fucking LOT on both accounts. I've lived here for going on six years and I've lived in a few prefectures. There's a town in Gunma prefecture called Ota that's like half cultists. I'm not entirely sure why, but these kind of insane cults are just commonplace here. Alef is almost a sort of legend these days, but Happy Science is EVERYWHERE and there's another cult that's pretty big, though I don't know the name. Much like Aum though, they're huge and they have some amount of political influence. They worship Mt. Fuji as their god. In towns like Ota, you can even find young children doing their part by handing out fliers for the cult. They asked me to get on their bus once to go pray to the mountain but I nope'd right the fuck out.

Thanks!! Now I have something to choose from! You've made this so easy for me!