Cult
The COVID-Denying, Tsar-Loving Russian ‘Cult’ That’s Too Extreme for Putin
A charismatic and rebellious monk built an ultra-religious commune at the very edge of Europe. Now he’s under arrest and his followers are left in limbo.
We Spoke to Men Who Escaped a Cult That Forced Them to Have Multiple Wives
“Here, men are often discouraged from consummating their first marriage, and shamed if they fail to conceive a child in their second.”
‘He Might Be Resurrected’: A Man Died and His 39 Wives Refused to Bury Him
Ziona, the late leader of a polygamous Christian sect in India, is survived by 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren.
Her Brother Was Tortured to Death by Members of a Cult, Including Their Own Mother
The documentary “The Reason Why I Am Home” shows a woman’s journey to reconnect with family after a harrowing tragedy.
These Former Cult Members Now Help Others Escape
Cult mediators tell us about their most dangerous cases—from finding their house covered in blankets to helping recruits break free from groups where babies were breastfed by mothers high on acid.
The Best Books for Starting an Occult Library
Need an intro to witchcraft, Wicca, astrology, or the Church of Satan? Here's what to put on your spookiest bookshelf.
You Should Listen to Season 3 of our Podcast, Extremes
The show about people living through the wildest stories we can find is back.
Why Are the Karens of America So Obsessed With This Home Decor Brand?
How live-laugh-love housewares brand Rae Dunn gained a GameStop-meets-wine-mom cult following—and ended up in a wild viral TikTok.
Meet the Guy Who Says He Mostly Just Eats Air
As one of the world's foremost "Breatharians," Nicolas Pilartz claims that sunlight, water and one meal a week is all he needs.
People Trying to Control Your Mind Have More Tools Than Ever
VICE News' "Complexify" series takes you down the rabbit hole, to show you why just about everything is more convoluted than you think.
Why So Many Celebrities Joined NXIVM, According to Cult Experts
HBO's docuseries 'The Vow' makes clear that NXIVM was filled with Hollywood types—but why was the cult so good at recruiting them?
This ‘Cult’ Is Responsible for Half of South Korea’s Coronavirus Cases
A religious cults expert said that members of the controversial Shincheonji Church believe that getting sick is a sin because it keeps them from “doing God’s work.”