I think the strangest cult were the folks who thought they were going to ride a comet to heaven if they drank tainted kool-aid. The Heaven's Gate Cult. Yeah, that's them. I almost feel sorry for them that they would believe in something so insane. But.... to each his own.
Permalink | Report

Here's video about cults and religion by Dana Carvey the comedian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iajDJz7Dqgc

The above cult is humor and fiction.
----
A real cult, Ramtha, was in the international news several years ago.
Here's the official site of this group:
http://www.ramtha.com/

Many controversies and rumors swirl about the place. Believers have said that Ramtha, the god-like male warrior, is channeled by the real-life female, J. Z. Knight. (She is a former actress who used to live in hollywood.)

J. Z. Knight's mansion has an underground catacombs that believers are left in with no lights. They are supposed to find their way out in the dark as an "enlightment process". People have reportedly broken their legs and arms falling into pits and traps in the catacombs.

Believers make aluminum foil-coated bunkers for protection to hide in. The bunkers are made of hollowed out giant propane tanks that are buried in forests, or hidden under mobile homes. They also make 18" thick concrete rooms underground. These are in remote locations on follower's properties, near J. Z. Knight's mansion.

Lizard-like creatures are supposed to come out of Mt. Rainier during a major volcanic eruption. They are aliens and will take over the world, but the "believers" will be left safe in the bunkers until the aliens leave.

These kind of groups are all about getting money for the leader, and coercion. J.Z. Knight's group is an expensive one to be part of, and people who want to leave have a hard time doing it. It's brainwashing.

There are stories abound that she sells racing horses for tens of thousands of dollars each, and that members are pressured to buy them. The main building she has (the address is on ramtha website) also owes tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid property taxes, to her local assessor.

---
http://tcproperty.co.thurston.wa.us/propsql/tax_summ.asp?fe=TR&bf=no&pn=21713330300

(Quoted from the above link)
Land Value: $203,550
Building Value: $2,746,200

2008 $37,545.33
2007 $40,972.15
Total Prior Years Due: $78,517.48

---

Interesting sites:
http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=118
http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/2007/01/former-students-of-ramtha-skeptic-website/
http://www.enlightenmefree.com/

Cheers...
Peace and Out!
Permalink | Report

I would say that all cults are "strange" in the fact that they pervert the truth in order to control the subjects of the cult. I would say the most common strange activity is that most cults tell their members to cut themselves off from everyone that disagrees with the cult, including their friends and family.
Permalink | Report

I have studied religions, mythology, and beliefs all my life... There are over 100s of cults so I can not tell you what is the strangest one to be honest..

But, I know The Raelians is one I used to thought was the strangest.
They are a UFO based cult and believe the mind is made up of matter alone... It's hard to describe really, You will just have to read about them.

My Personal Note about my belief system.. Heinzism

I don't know. Many call my belief system which I found called Heinzism a cult and pretty strange. My stating the Heinzist Beliefs and Ways does not appear pretty strange, but my working with the Thunderspirits does.. as while everyone else is coming out of the rain I am running out to dance and sing in it.. When everyone else is taking shelter for a tornado I am out there praying and negotiating with it to spare our homes... But.. My Heinzism.. has a mix of many things.. and what I listed here is common in some medicine and Shamanic/Shaman paths as well. I do not consider it a cult, but others do because Heinzism does fall into many aspects of my life....I am ordained through four different churches, and recognized as a Shaman through 11 totally different traditions... So my path, and ways are really eclectic and can be hard for a person not familiar with religion, or strange experiences to follow. Sadly, Many fear me due to my unique path and practices... I did not set out to start a new religion or tradition, it formed on its own the more I studied religions and traditions the more I realised I had beliefs from many of them, then later my prayers and ceremonies came to me in visions and dreams... I hope I am not "cult leader" But.. I can see why people would claim Heinzism to be one if you read the Strict Heinzist Warriors Code.. which is spiritual warriors....Based on the main laws and tennants of the most common worldwide faiths. - Rev. Dana C. L. "DNatureofDTrain"
Source(s):
Heinzism
http://www.heinzism.zzn.com

Top 10 Cults
http://worldmysteries9.blogspot.com/2009/06/top-10-cults.html

Permalink | Report

Do physicists qualify as a cult?

They are known for seeking out impressionable young people and trying to enthuse them with their strange ways. Sometimes they succeed in luring them away from their families to faraway places known as "universities". Often these young people never return to their homes. And when they do, they have changed, and they can only speak about their experiences in bizarre gibberish.

It is also said that these "universities" may be dens of sexual depravity. However, to be fair, it is unclear if physicsts are involved in this.

Among other things these people believe that:

- Time passes more slowly on the ground floor

- People are continually being penetrated by ghostly particles of so-called "antimatter"

- A cat that is not being watched may not exist

This is to say nothing of their bizarre views on the universe at large.

Despite these ridiculous beliefs, they are socially tolerated (to a small degree anyway) because they are often quite good at things like making TVs work.
Permalink | Report