Cults and Extreme Belief (2018) User Reviews

Suggestion

[northappraisals · 8/10 · 25 June 2018]

Many of the extreme cults covered by the A & E in their shows were exposed in the early 1970's by Ted Patrick and various families who trying to extract family members from these groups. The pornographic Moe letters by David Berg of the Children of God, the auditing manuals covering Scientology's clay model healing (witch doctor) practices and Sun Yun Moon's Divine Principals (NOT!!!) were all provided to the authorities in the 70's and 80's.

A story as interesting as the cults covered, is the story of Ted Patrick, the first deprogrammer. Mr Patrick was imprisoned on multiple occasions for trying to help families get relatives out of these groups.

The American Civil Liberties Union lobbied to have deprogramming outlawed, rather that helping the victims of the groups. Even today. If your son were to join ISIS your family could face criminal charges if they were to hold him and try to get him out.

Conway and Siegelman, two US psychologists in their book Snapping documented the techniques that the cults use to brainwash members. It seems plausible that groups using the techniques could be outlawed. The problems seems to be in the grey area and with debates as to whether brainwashing exists.

Effectively preaches to the choir

[take2docs · 8/10 · 2 December 2022]

It was several years ago when out of personal need and motivated by own claustral upbringing that, for a few months, I immersed myself in the study of cults. Had I been brought up in one? This I needed to answer. Insightful it was for me to learn that a cult needn't have to involve the use of coercion for it to be regarded as such. Merely the degree to which it is detached from society, physically and/or psychologically, is enough to determine whether a group is cult-like. The greater this detachment, that is, the more 'not a part of the world' a collective is, appears to be one of the key identifying traits more than any other defining criterion, as far as recognizing isolationist ('us versus them') groupthink is concerned. Based on such a definition, each group highlighted in this compelling docuseries could certainly be called a cult.

Following two three-quarter-hour segments introducing us to former members of various groups considered by sociological pundits as constituting cults, the docuseries takes to devoting entire episodes to each of these groups in greater detail and further analysis.

In CULTS AND EXTREME BELIEF, we hear from former members of religious groups mostly, and although being familiar with many of them, admittedly this was my introduction to a group called NXIVM -- the only one in this docuseries entirely secular in nature. Dubbed 'The Vanguard,' the leader of this pretentious initialism was known for being a scheming brainiac and quite the ladies' man, whose racket lasted twenty years before finally receiving his comeuppance, in his being brought to justice. Despite having been a member of NXIVM for twelve years, one woman tells of her traumatic experience in escaping what has since been officially described as a 'sex slave cult.' (That this victim's forename is Sarah and not Brandy is little, if any, consolation.)

Reports of sexual misconduct on the part of self-identifying gurus and prophets seems to be a common feature among many a cult, with the majority of the groups highlighted in this docuseries being no exception. Hosted by Elizabeth Vargas, CULTS AND EXTREME BELIEF is definitely not for the squeamish or the easily disturbed and even includes an introductory warning advising viewers of the need to use discretion when choosing to watch this program.

Aside from the aforementioned group, the docuseries also examines: Children of God; the United Nation of Islam; the Unification Church; Twelve Tribes; Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS); and Jehovah's Witnesses.

All the episodes are interesting, if you happen to be one who finds this type of subject matter entertaining. And despite each group being unique in their own right, as cult researcher Janja Lalich points out, they all share commonalities in one form or another, whether it be their elitism or their communities akin to insular echo chambers. That these are not ordinary church environments in which believers are basically free to worship as individuals absent the need for a 'divinely appointed' human intermediary, becomes quite evident when watching this.

As for anyone who has seen and appreciated two fairly recent documentary films on JWs -- these being "Crusaders: Ex Jehovah's Witnesses Speak Out" (2021) and "The Witnesses" (2020) -- the personal account given in this of Romy Maple only adds to the long list of scandalous allegations that've been brought before this organization, during the past few years, especially. We watch as this fourth-generation JW travels across states to visit with Barbara Anderson, a senior who was at one time a head researcher for the society and who has been hearing stories of this kind all too frequently. At the moment where Ms. Maple is shown at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Warwick, New York, there to hand in her letter of disassociation, one cannot help but feel tremendous sympathy for this woman who, via stating her freedom for the record, accomplishes something which I suspect many a 'PIMO' only dreams of doing.

Good series for the most part

[barker_dl · 6/10 · 29 July 2018]

I like the episodes other than those that deal with, and there isn't an easy way to say this using words that label, religions that have been around for a LONG time. I have issues calling them cults. Jehovah's Witness would be one. If you look at conversations that identify why some people call them a cult (very strict rules, indoctrinated, etc...) that really applies to ALL religion. Protestant or Catholic Christians indoctrinate their children too, but they would use the word "teach". They ALL have rules, but it's a matter of how much those within the religion follow them. For instance the Bible makes it very clear about what a Christian is (follow the teachings of Christ, teaching the message of Christ), but may if most don't know how serious that is. If they did, they'd be driving around neighborhoods talking to strangers. The difference is in Christianity, many if not most people who CALL themselves Christian don't really live a Christian life (and I don't mean living poor) because the church they go to doesn't make it clear about what BELIEF really means. You can't believe something that is so life encompassing as religion which is teaching you how to live life, but only pay it lip service. It is life engaging.

So, I don't like a series that differentiates what in my mind would be a religion (Jehovah's Witness) because of it longevity and number of members because it's not something like Islam or Christianity. All religions were started by men, and the teachings are based on what the religious leaders believed is correct view of God's message to humans, along with how to life a life. So, a better series would be "religion, cults and extreme beliefs" and then not try to separate them out, and best to show all religions.

I'm non religious, but was brought up in a Christian household, where my Dad was a Dr. of Theology and going to church was mandatory, along with learning about Christ, along with spreading the word of God (Christ = Christianity).

Cults the 21st C menace

[andrewpeel-11060 · 9/10 · 23 November 2018]

As a Brit watching this I have to say it was a great watch. I guess it made me ask why are there so many of these groups in the USA? Also how is it the wacky ones are allowed to be armed? This series does a great job of trying to understand this issue from inside the group and outside looking in.

Fascinating

[taylorshennett · 9/10 · 6 July 2018]

I started watching this and was absolutely fascinated by each episode! Very informative and I definitely recommended watching this.

New Cult Molokans

[jshubin · 22 October 2018]

As a female who had to marry into the church. My family, my children, myself, have been "raised". It's brain washing. You are defined by your husband. Even tough your husband gets to participate as a Peter pan. Narcissists. They raise narcissists. And as a Ph.D. I'm a threat. They shun me. They shun my children. I am female. We are not allowed to have a voice.

Biased, but fascinating!

[chickidee-10707 · 7/10 · 3 May 2019]

This show is fascinating! However, they have several facts wrong about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints (the church in which the FLDS people had originated and no longer associate with).

Please don't believe ever word that is said by these ex-members, members, or "experts" since it is mostly just their word and personal experience, but definitely a great watch!

Helpful and informative

[danieljtyre · 10/10 · 12 June 2019]

After watching this series it helped me realize that I, too, was raised in a cult like environment. The only issue I am running into is I don't know which part of my upbringing was the cult, and which is real society. I can't even tell you if the cult I was raised into has a name, only that I am the product of a cult culture. Thank you for making this series.

Really well made and informative!

[lisadicarlo5 · 9/10 · 1 February 2020]

Many of these cult docuseries can turn out cheesy and over the top. But this one actually tries to truly investigate the facts of the cult. They also interview former and some current members for varying insider perspectives. I really enjoyed it and hope there will be many more seasons!

Not bad...but not a good introduction to these various movements.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 8 April 2019]

If you are looking for a good overview of some of the various cults in America today, there are certainly better ways to learn than from this mini-series. This is because the films do not present a logical and systematic look at these groups. An academic overview, these episodes are not. Instead, the stories of one or two specific ex-members are given and you learn about them and their specific negative experiences....and what in particular prompted them to leave the groups. And so, what might not be important to them might be extremely important to another. It's often just too specific to have much value to the casual viewer who just wants to know what these groups believe.

Naively biased to the point that it wasn't interesting

[adamtherrmann-77368 · 3/10 · 12 August 2020]

Some episodes were interesting but the interviewers too often focused on uninteresting political differences that don't really strike me as cult beliefs. Take the ar15 people for example. Their beliefs about the importance of guns to protect against government tyranny seemed fairly mainstream, biblical translation to "rod of iron" aside. What seemed cultish was more about their Fringe belief that a former founder was the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The episode devolve into characterizing gun ownership and education and spanking as cultish behavior, which seems more like lefty propaganda.

Some episodes seem to be an exception to this.

A woke BS fest.

[revrobertv · 1/10 · 8 July 2022]

First of all you need to understand something. Many of the groups spoke about in this show are indeed cults. Unfortunately many aspects that this show reveals are not true. This is done for sensationalism. People speak about all kinds of things as facts, when indeed they are not facts. The host of this show tries to ingratiate her woke doctrine at every possible turn. This makes the show bias, unreliable, and unbelievable. You're not sure what our facts, and what is just made up for rating. Very unsatisfactory job done in this series. Wake up little sheep.

A boo-hoo tearjerker for the privileged

[johntwatterson · 2/10 · 27 August 2022]

A boo-hoo tearjerker for the privileged. Firstly, Elizabeth Vargas must be the most ignorant person I've seen in years on television! She must live on fantasy Island because her absolute ignorance is astounding. She is such a complete and utter product of her society that I would be surprised if she had an original thought in years.

And as such, she's predictably judgemental, a true Karen!

As for the program, most of it is small beans. There's a lot of boo-hooing about spanking, or having to eat weird foods, having to have your hair parted down the middle. The agony!!!

All of this is portrayed as being subhuman treatment, when probably 2/3 of the populace of the earth wish they had it that well!

Just another failed docu- drama about the privileged citizens of the United States, and their absolute ignorance of the rest of the world.