13. Peoples Temple

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One of most well-known cults in history, the Peoples Temple was led by the fanatical Jim Jones, a preacher who started his career fighting for racial equality in his native Indiana. Jones moved west to California, and it was there that he grew his church into the Peoples Temple in San Francisco.

Jones transformed from a Civil Rights advocate into a domineering cult leader. His escalating drug problem made his behavior more and more erratic. But Jones’ following grew to thousands of members.

Jones’ followers had no idea that their leader would eventually take them to the South American country of Guyana, where over 900 of them, including Jim Jones, would commit a mass suicide in the jungle in November 1978. The events at Jonestown captured the nation’s attention and are still remembered and studied today.

14. NXIVM

A rather strange entry on this list, NXIVM is a cult that disguises itself as a marketing company. Actress Allison Mack brought the organization into the headlines, when she was arrested on federal charges, including sex trafficking.

The group formed in 1998 near Albany, New York. Their seminars have been referred to as “expensive brainwashing.” In May 2018, operations for NXIVM were suspended.