High confidence
Entries supported by multiple primary sources (court records, government investigations, peer-reviewed work) plus corroborating secondary work. A single new source is unlikely to materially change the rating.
354 canonical entries. See the confidence-levels methodology page for what each tier means.
- Peoples Temple (Jim Jones / Jonestown)· Christian
- ISIS / 'Islamic State' ideology (recruitment networks)· Islam
- Aum Shinrikyo (Shoko Asahara)· Buddhist
- Order of the Solar Temple· Pagan / Wiccan
- Heaven's Gate· New Religious Movement
- Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God (MRTCG, Uganda)· Christian
- Ant Hill Kids (Roch Thériault community)· Christian
- Church of the Lamb of God (Ervil LeBaron)· Christian
- FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)· Christian
- Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj movement (Satlok Ashram)· Hindu
- Branch Davidians (Mount Carmel, David Koresh)· Christian
- Children of God / The Family International· Christian
- Lev Tahor· Judaism
- Skoptsy (historical Russian self-castration sect)· Christian
- Salafi-jihadist movement (broader, post-ISIS)· Islam
- Church of Scientology· New Religious Movement
- Synanon (defunct, 1958–1991)· New Religious Movement
- The Family / Santiniketan Park Association (Anne Hamilton-Byrne)· New Religious Movement
- Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) / Warren Jeffs· Christian
- Il Forteto community (Tuscany)· Other
- Word of Faith Fellowship (Jane Whaley)· Christian
- Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (Apollo Quiboloy)· Christian
- Larry Ray (Sarah Lawrence sex-trafficking case)· New Religious Movement
- Nation of Yahweh (Yahweh ben Yahweh, defunct)· Other
- The Order / Brüder Schweigen (Robert Mathews, 1983–84)· Political / Ideological
- Tony Alamo Christian Ministries (defunct, founder convicted)· Christian
- NXIVM-style Wellness Cults· New Religious Movement
- The Sullivanians (Sullivan Institute / Fourth Wall)· New Religious Movement
- Kingston Order / Davis County Cooperative (Latter-Day Church of Christ)· Christian
- Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Jim & Lila Reidhead)· Christian
- Shincheonji Church of Jesus / Lee Man-hee· Christian
- AROPL / Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq)· Islam
- Dera Sacha Sauda / Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh· Hindu
- Boko Haram / Jama'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihad· Political / Ideological
- Kenyan Christian doomsday cults (umbrella, Mackenzie tragedy)· Christian
- Centrepoint Community (Bert Potter, New Zealand, historical)· New Religious Movement
- Grace Road Church / Kwon Shin-chan (Fiji)· Christian
- La Luz del Mundo (Naasón Joaquín García)· Christian
- Providence / Christian Gospel Mission (JMS, Jeong Myeong-seok)· Christian
- Gloriavale Christian Community (New Zealand)· Christian
- LeBaron clan polygamist groups· Christian
- Jehovah's Witnesses· Christian
- Maranatha Campus Ministries (defunct, 1972–89)· Christian
- Love Has Won (Amy Carlson)· New Religious Movement
- 7M Films / Shekinah Church (Robert Shinn)· Christian
- Followers of Christ (Oregon)· Christian
- Manmin Central Church (Lee Jae-rock)· Christian
- TB Joshua — Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN)· Christian
- World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) / Heavenly Mother Zhang Gil-jah· Christian
- Twelve Tribes Communities / Messianic Communities / Yellow Deli (Gene Spriggs)· Christian
- Concerned Christians (Monte Kim Miller, Y2K Denver apocalyptic group)· Christian
- MSIA / Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (John-Roger Hinkins)· New Religious Movement
- Salvation Sect (Guwonpa) / Yoo Byung-eun (Sewol ferry context)· Christian
- The House of Yahweh (Yisrayl Hawkins)· Christian
- Satmar Hasidic· Judaism
- Plymouth Brethren Christian Church / Exclusive Brethren· Christian
- Remnant Fellowship Church (Gwen Shamblin Lara)· Christian
- Eastern Lightning / Church of Almighty God (China)· Christian
- Oneida Community Perfectionists (1848–81, historical)· Christian
- The Way International / Victor Paul Wierwille· Christian
- Al-Muhajiroun / Anjem Choudary network· Islam
- Skver (Skverer) Hasidic / New Square· Judaism
- Shuvu Banim (Eliezer Berland)· Judaism
- Asaram Bapu organisation· Hindu
- Andrew Tate / Hustlers University / The Real World· Political / Ideological
- LaRouche PAC successor network (Schiller Institute / EIR)· Political / Ideological
- Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV) / Sodalit Movement (Luis Fernando Figari)· Christian
- Atomwaffen Division· Political / Ideological
- Twin Flames Universe (Jeff and Shaleia Divine)· New Religious Movement
- LaRouche Movement (Lyndon LaRouche organisations)· Political / Ideological
- Doug Wilson / Christ Church Moscow Idaho / CrossPolitic· Christian
- Unification Church / Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) / Moonies· Christian
- Philadelphia Church of God / Gerald Flurry· Christian
- Sokushinbutsu / Shingon mountain ascetic self-mummification (historical)· Buddhist
- Vissarion (Church of the Last Testament, Siberia)· New Religious Movement
- Kanye West / Donda Academy / YZY (Sunday Service / brand cult-of-personality)· New Religious Movement
- Pana-Wave Laboratory (Yuko Chino)· New Religious Movement
- National Labor Federation / NATLFED (Gino Perente)· Political / Ideological
- Nithyananda 'Kailasa' micro-state project· Hindu
- Rampal (Satlok Ashram, India)· Hindu
- Calvary Temple (Sterling, Virginia, Star Scott)· Christian
- Westboro Baptist Church· Christian
- Rajneesh / Osho Movement· New Religious Movement
- World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG)· New Religious Movement
- Chen Tao (God's Salvation Church)· New Religious Movement
- Legion of Christ (Marcial Maciel)· Christian
- Restored Hope Network (US Christian conversion-therapy ministries)· Christian
- The Bible Speaks / Carl Stevens / Greater Grace World Outreach· Christian
- Mooji / Anthony Paul Moo-Young· Hindu
- Oneness University / Ekam (Kalki Bhagavan / Sri Bhagavan)· Hindu
- Hyung Jin 'Sean' Moon / Sanctuary Church / Rod of Iron Ministries· New Religious Movement
- Holy Order of MANS (HOOM) / Father Paul Blighton· New Religious Movement
- Logos Foundation (Howard Carter, Australia)· Christian
- New Kadampa Tradition (NKT, Kelsang Gyatso)· Buddhist
- Universal Medicine (Serge Benhayon, Australia)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- 3HO / Yogi Bhajan / Kundalini Yoga lineage· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Boston Church of Christ (1979–2003 Crossroads/ICOC era)· Christian
- Two by Twos / The Truth / Cooneyites / Workers and Friends (William Irvine)· Christian
- University Bible Fellowship (UBF)· Christian
- Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU)· Hindu
- OneTaste (Nicole Daedone)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Society of Saint John (SSJ) / Catholic religious community (Pennsylvania, 1997–2004)· Christian
- Genesis II Church / MMS (Miracle Mineral Solution)· Other
- The Base (accelerationist)· Political / Ideological
- Aleph (Aum Shinrikyo successor)· Buddhist
- Troubled Teen Industry high-control programmes· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Japanese Unification Church successor branches (post-2022 Abe)· New Religious Movement
- International Churches of Christ (ICOC / 'Boston Movement')· Christian
- John of God (João Teixeira de Faria)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- JW Kingdom Hall elders / judicial committee system· Christian
- Sean Feucht / Burn 24-7 / Let Us Worship· Christian
- The Message of the Hour / William Branham / Voice of God Recordings· Christian
- Miles Jesu (Vatican-suppressed Catholic ecclesial institute)· Christian
- House of Prayer Christian Church (HOPCC)· Christian
- Gülen Movement / Hizmet / Cemaat (Fethullah Gülen)· Islam
- Rigpa (Sogyal Rinpoche, post-2017)· Buddhist
- IM Academy (formerly iMarketsLive / IML)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- International House of Prayer KC (IHOPKC)· Christian
- Mars Hill Church (Mark Driscoll, 1996–2014)· Christian
- Shakers (United Society of Believers, historical)· Christian
- John MacArthur / Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, California)· Christian
- Centennial Park group (Second Ward, Mormon fundamentalist)· Christian
- Panacea Society (Bedford, Mabel Barltrop / 'Octavia')· Christian
- Church Universal and Triumphant (Elizabeth Clare Prophet)· New Religious Movement
- Avatar Course / Star's Edge International (Harry Palmer)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Ayn Rand / Objectivist 'Collective' inner circle (1960s NBI)· Political / Ideological
- Amish (Old Order)· Christian
- Carl Lentz / Hillsong NYC (2010–2020)· Christian
- New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) / C Peter Wagner network / 7-Mountain Dominionism· Christian
- Russell Brand / post-2023 evangelical pivot· New Religious Movement
- Wagner Group / Africa Corps (Russian PMC, post-2023)· Political / Ideological
- MOVE (Philadelphia, John Africa)· Political / Ideological
- Patriot Front· Political / Ideological
- ISKCON (Hare Krishna)· Hindu
- Opus Dei (numerary high-control variant)· Christian
- Harvest Bible Chapel (James MacDonald)· Christian
- Regnum Christi (lay movement of Legionaries of Christ)· Christian
- Jesus Christians (Dave McKay)· Christian
- Teal Swan / Teal Eye LLC / The Teal Tribe· New Religious Movement
- Epoch Times / NTD / Shen Yun media empire (Falun Gong-aligned)· New Religious Movement
- OneCoin (Ruja Ignatova)· Political / Ideological
- LDS Church (mainstream Mormonism)· Christian
- Bikram Yoga (Bikram Choudhury)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Sovereign Grace Churches (formerly SGM)· Christian
- Ravi Zacharias / RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries)· Christian
- Gateway Church / Robert Morris· Christian
- Focolare Movement / Work of Mary / Chiara Lubich· Christian
- Siddha Yoga (Muktananda / Chidvilasananda)· Hindu
- Optavia / Medifast· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Burmese 969 / Ma Ba Tha movement (U Wirathu)· Buddhist
- Broader South Korean high-control Christian movements (umbrella)· Christian
- Servants of the Paraclete (Servi Paraclitorum)· Christian
- Triratna Buddhist Community (Sangharakshita)· Buddhist
- Old Order Mennonites· Christian
- Hutterites (communal Anabaptists)· Christian
- Sahaja Yoga successor organisations / Vishwa Nirmala Dharma (post-Nirmala Srivastava)· Hindu
- Isha Foundation / Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev· Hindu
- Shambhala International (post-Sakyong scandal)· Buddhist
- Divine Light Mission / Elan Vital / Words of Peace Global / Prem Rawat· New Religious Movement
- QAnon-wellness 'conspirituality' overlap (umbrella)· Political / Ideological
- Incel online community (umbrella)· Political / Ideological
- Stop Cop City / Atlanta Forest Defenders (specific antifa-adjacent cell)· Political / Ideological
- Various Indian 'godmen' / guru figures (umbrella)· Hindu
- Historical 19th-century American religious-communal cults (umbrella)· Christian
- Harmonists / Rappites (George Rapp, historical)· Christian
- Church of the Highlands / Chris Hodges / Association of Related Churches (ARC)· Christian
- Online MLM-spiritual hybrid cults (umbrella)· New Religious Movement
- Nu Skin Enterprises· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Andrew Huberman / Huberman Lab· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Proud Boys (Western chauvinist far-right)· Political / Ideological
- Oath Keepers (anti-government militia)· Political / Ideological
- Art of Living Foundation / Sri Sri Ravi Shankar· Hindu
- Various Falun Gong-adjacent qigong sects (umbrella)· New Religious Movement
- Extreme raw-food / fruitarian online cults· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Vector Marketing / Cutco Cutlery· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Various small far-left cadre sects (umbrella)· Political / Ideological
- Society of Separatists of Zoar (historical)· Christian
- Left-wing influencer parasocial cult communities (umbrella)· Political / Ideological
- Hillsong Church· Christian
- Ananda Sangha (Swami Kriyananda)· Hindu
- Bhole Baba (Narayan Saakar Hari) satsang· Hindu
- Logan Paul CryptoZoo (NFT influencer scheme)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- BitConnect (Carlos Matos meme + community)· Political / Ideological
- Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist)· Christian
- Russian Old Believers — Bezpopovtsy (priestless)· Christian
- Hillsong Australia post-2023 continuation· Christian
- ISKCON 2024 modern continuation· Hindu
- Various 1970s Jesus Movement groups (umbrella, historical)· Christian
- Yoido Full Gospel Church (Cho Yong-gi lineage)· Christian
- doTERRA modern operations· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Amana Society / Community of True Inspiration· Christian
- LuLaRoe (MLM)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Willow Creek Community Church (Bill Hybels)· Christian
- Modern Orthodox Judaism· Judaism
- Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen)· Christian
- Quietism (Molinos / Madame Guyon, historical)· Christian
- Kimbanguist Church (DR Congo)· Christian
- Answers in Genesis / Creation Museum (Ken Ham)· Christian
- Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (state-registered)· Christian
- Pietism (Spener-Francke historical movement)· Christian
- Antifa (umbrella decentralised antifascist movement)· Political / Ideological
- Polynesian LDS / Mormon Pacific communities (mainstream)· Christian
- Carthusians (Order of Saint Bruno)· Christian
- Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)· Christian
- Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)· Christian
- Theosophical Society (Blavatsky lineage)· New Religious Movement
- Discovery Institute (Intelligent Design)· Political / Ideological
- Communist Platform (USA broader, mainstream parties)· Political / Ideological
- Bahá'í Faith (mainstream)· Bahá'í
- Yazidi Religion (mainstream)· Other
- Auroville (Indian intentional community, mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Color Street (nail polish MLM, defunct 2024)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Beachbody Coach Network (defunct as MLM 2024)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Arbonne International (skincare/health MLM)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Japan 2024 post-Abe religious-policy reform (umbrella)· Other
- Assemblies of God Brazil (Assembleias de Deus)· Christian
- Latin American Pentecostal broader (umbrella)· Christian
- L'Arche Communities post-2020 Jean Vanier reckoning· Christian
- Church of Satan (Anton LaVey)· Pagan / Wiccan
- Trappists (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance)· Christian
- Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)· Christian
- Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)· Christian
- Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)· Christian
- Vineyard Churches (mainstream)· Christian
- Saddleback Church (Rick Warren)· Christian
- Azali Bahá'í (historical Babi remnant)· Bahá'í
- Umbanda (Brazilian Afro-syncretic, mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Cargo Cults (historical Melanesian)· Other
- Russian Orthodox Church — Moscow Patriarchate· Christian
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits)· Christian
- Druze Faith (mainstream)· Islam
- Digambara Jain mainstream· Jain
- Rātana Church (Māori Christian mainstream)· Christian
- Zoroastrian Parsis (India)· Other
- Spiritualism (mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Spiritism (Allan Kardec, mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Louise Hay / Hay House publishing community· Wellness / Multi-Level
- European mainline Christian renewal movements (umbrella)· Christian
- Korean Shamanism (Mu, mainstream)· Other
- Findhorn Foundation (Scotland)· Other
- Tzu Chi Foundation (Cheng Yen)· Buddhist
- Sthanakvasi Jain (anti-idol reform)· Jain
- Quanzhen Taoism (Complete Perfection, monastic)· Taoist
- Findhorn Foundation modern continuation· New Religious Movement
- Twin Oaks Community (Virginia, mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Mary Kay Cosmetics (mainstream MLM)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Mainstream Catholicism· Christian
- Eastern Orthodox Christianity· Christian
- Coptic Orthodox Church· Christian
- Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer)· Christian
- Kurozumikyo (Japanese new religion)· Shinto
- Aglipayan Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente)· Christian
- Tupperware (mainstream MLM, bankruptcy 2024)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church· Christian
- New Thought movement (mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Reform Judaism· Judaism
- Mainstream Shia Islam (Twelver)· Islam
- Ismaili Shia (Nizari, Aga Khani)· Islam
- Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church· Christian
- Esalen Institute (mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Serbian Orthodox Church· Christian
- Swedenborgian Church / New Church (mainstream)· Christian
- 'Deconstruction' / ex-evangelical online communities (umbrella, mainstream)· Other
- Ex-Mormon online community (mainstream support)· Other
- Broader religious-exit online communities (umbrella)· Other
- Theravada Buddhism (mainstream)· Buddhist
- Mainstream Sunni Islam· Islam
- Mainstream Sufi Islam· Islam
- Conservative Judaism (Masorti)· Judaism
- Zen Buddhism (mainstream)· Buddhist
- Mainstream Sikhism· Sikh
- Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor)· Christian
- Dominicans (Order of Preachers)· Christian
- Benedictines (Order of Saint Benedict)· Christian
- Armenian Apostolic Church· Christian
- Syriac Orthodox Church· Christian
- Assyrian Church of the East· Christian
- Maronite Catholic Church· Christian
- Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church· Christian
- Mennonite Church USA (mainstream)· Christian
- Qadiriyya Sufi Order (mainstream)· Islam
- Mevlevi Order (Whirling Dervishes)· Islam
- Chishti Sufi Order (South Asian)· Islam
- Naqshbandiyya Sufi Order (mainstream)· Islam
- Shaktism (mainstream Goddess tradition)· Hindu
- Fo Guang Shan (Humanistic Buddhism)· Buddhist
- Won Buddhism (Korean)· Buddhist
- Plum Village / Thich Nhat Hanh tradition (mainstream)· Buddhist
- Ravidassia tradition (mainstream)· Sikh
- Zhengyi Taoism (mainstream)· Taoist
- Native American Church (Peyote tradition)· Other
- Gardnerian Wicca (traditional initiatory)· Pagan / Wiccan
- Alexandrian Wicca (traditional initiatory)· Pagan / Wiccan
- Reclaiming Tradition (Starhawk feminist Wicca)· Pagan / Wiccan
- School of Living (intentional communities, mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- The Satanic Temple (TST)· New Religious Movement
- Wayne Dyer self-help legacy (mainstream)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Chinese folk religion (mainstream)· Other
- Mazu / Tianhou temple network (mainstream)· Other
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church / Orthodox Church of Ukraine (post-2018)· Christian
- Romanian Orthodox Church· Christian
- Greek Orthodox Church (Ecumenical Patriarchate)· Christian
- Bulgarian Orthodox Church· Christian
- Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church· Christian
- Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Kerala)· Christian
- Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (Kerala)· Christian
- Philippine Catholic Church (mainstream)· Christian
- Latin American Catholic Base Communities (umbrella, mainstream)· Christian
- Mar Thoma Syrian Church (Kerala)· Christian
- Tijaniyya Sufi Order (mainstream West African)· Islam
- Jewish Renewal Movement / Romemu (mainstream)· Judaism
- Anglican / Episcopal Communion· Christian
- Mainline Methodism· Christian
- Mainline Lutheranism (ELCA / Nordic state churches)· Christian
- Mainline Presbyterianism (PCUSA, Church of Scotland)· Christian
- Mainstream Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma)· Hindu
- Mahayana Buddhism (mainstream)· Buddhist
- Mainstream Jainism· Jain
- Mainstream Taoism· Taoist
- Mainstream Shinto· Shinto
- Insight Meditation Society / Spirit Rock (mainstream Western Vipassana)· Buddhist
- Old Catholic Church (Union of Utrecht)· Christian
- Alevi Islam (Turkey, mainstream)· Islam
- Vaishnavism (mainstream)· Hindu
- Shaivism (mainstream)· Hindu
- Smarta tradition (mainstream)· Hindu
- Ramana Maharshi tradition (mainstream)· Hindu
- Pure Land Buddhism (mainstream East Asian)· Buddhist
- Svetambara Jain mainstream· Jain
- Iranian Bahá'í community (state-persecuted, mainstream)· Bahá'í
- Scandinavian state Lutheran churches (mainstream)· Christian
- Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)· Christian
- Mainstream Wicca / contemporary Paganism· Pagan / Wiccan
- Universal Life Church (ordination network)· Other
- Krishnamurti Foundations (mainstream)· Hindu
- Vipassana Trust prison programmes (mainstream)· Buddhist
- Modern Druidry (OBOD, Druid Network mainstream)· Pagan / Wiccan
- Covenant of the Goddess (Wiccan federation)· Pagan / Wiccan
- Discordianism (mainstream)· New Religious Movement
- Pastafarianism / Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster· New Religious Movement
- Avon Products (mainstream direct sales)· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) mainstream therapy network· Wellness / Multi-Level
- Mainstream electoral conservatism (low-control reference)· Political / Ideological
- Mainstream electoral progressivism / social democracy (low-control reference)· Political / Ideological
- Mainstream civic nonprofit volunteering (low-control reference)· Political / Ideological
- Other Buddhist traditions (umbrella)· Buddhist
- Unitarian Universalist Association (mainstream)· Other
- American Ethical Union / Ethical Culture Society· Other
- Humanist organisations (American Humanist Association, Humanists UK, mainstream)· Other
- Atheist / Freethought organisations (mainstream)· Other
- Footsteps 2024 continuation· Other
- Academic cult-recovery research community (mainstream)· Other
- Cult-aware therapy network (mainstream)· Other
- Open Minds Foundation 2024 continuation· Other