Join the Fun!

The author of the thread explained to us what inspired them to come up with the question in the first place, shared their thoughts about people's fascination with cults, and explained how someone can realize that they were actually part of such an organization.

"I asked this question because I have seen a lot of people involved in cults in the past who didn’t realize it at the time. Spreading awareness about different cults can help people realize they (or their loved ones) may also be in a cult unknowingly," they told Bored Panda.

"I think cults have always interested people. There are so many different types," they gave Kanye West's new 'Christian school' "that chants/sings his mother's name in the mornings" as an example of this.

"Some of these seem innocent at the time but they can have long-lasting negative impacts on people. Most people don’t relive they have been in a cult until they have lost money, time, or friends due to the cult."

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread MAGAs. Very culty. They basically worship one man who is supposed to be a public servant. They pay him money, go to his events, let him decide their healthcare
(antivax, hydroxychloroquine, etc), they have “secret phrases” (let’s go Branden”, they make it their whole personality (flags, stickers, hats, shirts, their cars), they have conspiracy theories, and they’re willing to get violent for him (Jan 6).

StressedEMT , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

401points

POST

OhnoI’vebeencensored 2 years ago

Cults of personality are nothing new. But couldn't they have chosen a better personality?

248points

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Church of Scientology

Some of the illegal s**t they’ve done is so ridiculous. Been wanting to make a video where I just read a list of this b******t with fun goofy music in the background. You could do the same with the ridiculous things they actually believe.

Here’s an example: Their founder was a science fiction writer and the only holiday they recognize is his birthday

Edit: the entire “religion” is also banned from changing any and all articles on Wikipedia because they abused that feature.

Amish_Warl0rd Report

Final score:

360points

POST

N Miller 2 years ago

One of their tenets is anti-psychiatry. Which is a shame, because if anyone is in need of psychiatric support and treatment it's the ones who believe this BS hook, line and sinker.

181points

According to the author of the viral thread, critical thinking, as well as distance from the cult, are essential in realizing that you were involved in an actual cult.

"Talking with former members and discussing shared experiences (trauma, abuse, or just stories) can help the healing process. My family used to be in a small cult and we didn’t realize it until we left. I know this from personal experience," they revealed to Bored Panda.

"Thankfully, I wasn’t abused or anything, but I have friends who were abused and their lives will never be the same as a result. Cults are dangerous and deserve to be placed in the spotlight for public scrutiny to protect the children and individuals involved."

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Mormon church. I realized it was a cult when I was a kid and started asking questions. Figured I’d be met with optimism and willingness to answer those questions. Instead I was met with aggression and shut down.

Orcas_are_badass , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

333points

POST

OhnoI’vebeencensored 2 years ago

Faith that can't take questioning is clearly not very secure.

203points

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread As someone who comes from a family of Jehovahs and has actively practiced this faith in past times

It is 100% a cult.

Ninjapig101 replied:
Came here to see this. I was raised JW, and finally mustered up the courage to leave when I turned 18. Literally overnight everyone I knew my whole life cut contact with me. Not even a goodbye. Friends and family. The stress from it all made me physically ill, I was in and out of the hospital constantly. I’m doing much better now, I have a beautiful little family. In the entire time I’ve been gone, now about 6ish years, my biological father has called me one time. This is how the conversation went (BD - bio dad)

BD- hello is this ninjapig101 (literally using my first and last name)

Me- yes….

BD- this is first name last name (yes he literally used just his first and last name) calling to inform you of the passing of grandma (except he uses grandmas first and last name in referring to her as well)

It was like I was just immediately no longer part of the family, just like that.

I’m so thankful I got out of that when I had the chance.

Excellent-Captain-93 , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

312points

POST

OmBoyGanesh 2 years ago

Check out the podcast “Shunned.” It’s heartbreaking, but so eye-opening.

63points

Not necessarily a cult, but children having to say the pledge of allegiance everyday in school gives off cult vibes.

jimbo_slice_12 Report

Final score:

280points

POST

Jan Rosier 2 years ago

so I am not the only one to feel like this when I see it somewhere in movies or reportages

158points

During a previous in-depth interview, Bored Panda spoke about cults with Suzanne Degges-White, a Licensed Counselor, Professor, and Chair at the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University.

"The worst thing about cult indoctrination is that people actually LOVE the feeling they get in being a part of something bigger than themselves. Folks who have the wisdom to recognize that they are being led into a cult are not the ones who are going to be totally indoctrinated and stuck inside it," the professor told Bored Panda.

"They recognize that the leader is likely a charlatan and they have enough of a support system beyond the cult that they don't get totally sucked into it in the first place. The people who actually NEED to get out of it are going to have to have a support system or something better outside the cult if they are going to leave,” she said.

"Cult leaders are master manipulators who are also excellent readers of others—and they truly sense who is a more likely 'follower' aka 'victim' and tend to invest their energy wisely. They don't waste too much time on people they don't think will easily join their ranks," Professor Degges-White told Bored Panda earlier.

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread QAnon.

foco_del_fuego replied:

My wife's parents fell off deep into the Q-hole. It's more sad than anything.

SableyeFan replied:

I lost a mother to this. I left home because it was unsafe for my physical well-being to remain with how ready she was to shoot anyone who 'attacked' our home.

TopOwn5260 , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

274points

POST

James016 2 years ago

How people have fallen for an internet troll is baffling and tragic for those around them

115points

I was born & raised as Independent Fundamental Baptist, which is Duggar family level of fundie. Their cult, IBLP, is a bit more restricting than IFB though — IFB didn’t force the long modest dresses or shotgun courtships, at least.

But anyways, I’m 26 now and didn’t realize I was in a cult until about 3 months ago, and it was totally accidental while I was reading about Josh Duggar’s trial. Literally a wrong click on the page is how I found out.

rosaparksand-rec Report

Final score:

244points

POST

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Many upvotes. "Quiverfull" etc. are movements that, frankly, scare me. The damage they do to individuals is horrendous; the damage they do through political influence is worse. See: Overturn of Roe v Wade in the US.

91points

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Amish. They control nearly every aspect of their followers’ lives and live in incredibly insular society. Sure they let their kids experience the outside world and choose for themselves through rumspringa, but they seemingly set them up for failure by throwing them into the deep end with no preparation at a time in their lives (17-21) when people aren’t noted for great decision making. When the kids almost inevitably end up crashing and burning back into the fold, they are forced to remain for the rest of their lives through the threat of shunning where even your own parents will treat you as if you are dead and invisible. Sure they look quaint with their beards, buggies, and barns, but if you actually look at them critically, they’re as bad as any other cult, they’ve just been around longer.

TrueKamilo , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

237points

POST

Elita One 2 years ago

Don't forget the incest.

94points

"Cult leaders are narcissistic individuals who use their self-interest and charisma to prey on their followers. This, of course, requires that their followers, or marks, have certain traits that make them more likely to be preyed upon. Research suggests that some of the traits that make people vulnerable to joining a cult include suffering from anxiety or depression or addictions.”

People who are anxious or depressed are more vulnerable because cults offer ‘solutions’ to their problems.

"People with addictions need to have something to fill the hole left when they stop using whatever substance/behavior that they are addicted to. Addiction reflects a hunger and cult leaders have an easy time using their powers of persuasion to convince the follower that they and their cult can fill that need," the professor told us.

"Cult leaders often use the powers of seduction to convince people to follow them—they use flattery of a potential member along with promises of 'belonging' and being 'needed,' so that can be extremely enticing to someone who feels that something important is missing in their life. When someone convinces us that they care more about us than anyone else in our world, we will do whatever they want us to do just to keep their light shining on us," she explained how cult leaders exploit others’ psychology.

#10

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread Flat earthers.

Square_Pringles , Wikimedia Report

Final score:

229points

POST

troufaki13 2 years ago

Eratosthenes figured that the earth is round more than 2000 years ago with the help of two sticks, the sun and a friend who measured the distance between Alexandria and Syene. These people have all the knowledge in the palm of their hands but still refuse to see the truth

93points

EverythingIsLiminal Report

#11

Most religions. They are “soft cults” but cultish nonetheless. Some may not physically stop you from leaving but fear of existential threat is a very real thing for many.

Prime example: My grandmother was raised Catholic and had a child out of wedlock. At one point in the 80s she was on her deathbed (did not die fortunately), she asked for last rites and a priest denied her because of her infidelity. Now, she had also been raised in a HIGHLY abusive Catholic orphanage that has in recent times been exposed for mass child graves as well as child rape and torture, so she was exposed to every abuse known under these people. Even after all that she lived the rest of her life entirely convinced that when she died she would spend an eternity in hell. I can’t imagine how terrifying that thought must be for a believer. She was an amazingly sweet person but that indoctrination made her feel like she was unworthy of love her entire life while living in fear of what may come next. If that’s not a cult by any reasonable definition then I don’t know what is.

Final score:

220points

POST

ThatBiBookLover 2 years ago

Im going to brace myself to be flooded and attacked with downvotes; I’m risking my account with this. Not all religions are bad. Actually, let me rephrase that - religions can be good or bad, depending on the person. Let’s take my friend for example. She’s Christian. She believes in Jesus; however, she doesn’t go to church every Sunday if she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t shove it up other people’s arses, and her parents won’t shun her if she chooses to leave that religion. On the other hand, we have batshit crazy people who tell you that you will “go to hell” if you aren’t Christian. Religions are as good or bad as the people. I’m religious; however, I do not shove it up other people. I peacefully believe in gods, and live my life normally. Thank you, and now I might get banned.

266points

ziggyzaggyziggyzaggy Report

#12

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread Don’t see anywhere where someone’s said Fraternities/Sororities. Wildly a cult. Was in one. Now I’m mid-thirties and it’s ridiculous what they make you do and how they make you feel. Especially at such a vulnerable age.

Final score:

216points

POST

The Idaho Potato 2 years ago

Can't even say the Hellenic alphabet right. Their 'Greek lifestyle' is worse than fake.

42points

FailedTheTuringTest1 Report

"You are treated like family and you have other cult members who make you feel welcome and work hard to develop that sense of belonging. When nothing else in your life is giving you what you need or satisfying you in important ways, a cult is the perfect setting to feel valued and that you matter," the professor noted that this is how members are trapped in cults.

"To get someone you care about out of the cult, you have to work hard and be available to help them see reason. You have to encourage them to stay involved in activities beyond the cult, to engage in connections with people who are 'outsiders.’ For some people, the sense of belonging within a cult is worth more than autonomy, wealth, or connections to family or those beyond the cult. That's when interventions by caring others are needed to help that person recognize the truth of their situation."

#13

Elon Musk fans.

He could literally murder somebody and they would still be like "he is so innovative! A tech genius! My IDOL!" and would come up with an excuse as to why the murder was justified

Final score:

205points

POST

James016 2 years ago

A man who has too much money and free time so has gone loopy

86points

#14

Mommy groups.

Tsunamiis replied:

Amen. I’ve been a stay-at-home dad for ten years. When I go to kids things alone everyone looks at me like a p**ophile. Not a single parent will give me their name if I don’t directly ask and no one wants to hear anything I have to say. My kids don’t have friends.

ArkadyKirilenko Report

Final score:

194points

POST

OmBoyGanesh 2 years ago (edited)

My husband and I deal with this daily. The police know us, because two grown men with a son is so suspect we deal with them a minimum of weekly. Luckily our kid is in a smaller school with great teachers & parents, but out in the rest of the world, these sanctimonious mommies are constantly on our ásses. We have to carry copies of his birth certificate & adoption papers, along with his actual passport, just in case we’re cornered by the mommy cultists.

148points

Flimsy_Breadfruit86 Report

#15

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Herbalife company. Despite being accused of being a pyramid scheme, they continue to function similarly. There are some people from my childhood who became addicted to it, and they act very much like members of a cult.

Final score:

173points

POST

Monday 2 years ago

Many of these Multi-level marketing companies try to brainwash their "employees" to give them that lovely cultist state of mind.

53points

#16

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread Southern Pentecostal Baptist Snake Handlers

Grew up going to one of these churches. Long drive to a small church hidden in the woods. They honestly believed only their members were gonna make it to heaven. We saw some crazy stuff in that building.

psychotrshman , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

173points

POST

Jan Rosier 2 years ago

They still exist? Thought it was just movie-stuff... unbeleivable. (pun in tended...)

40points

#17

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread Yesterday, I actually observed a job posting that stated "Don't bother applying if receiving money is your main motivation. Here, we live like a family."

One of the most degrading things I've ever read was that.

Just to be clear, this job was compensated. They simply stated that they wouldn't be paying you much, I presume.

No_Raspberry71 , krakenimages Report

Final score:

142points

POST

K- THULU 2 years ago

Live like a family? Yep, the manson family ....

54points

#18

Evangelical conservatives.

WillisVanDamage Report

Final score:

136points

POST

Lemaire 2 years ago

Ex-evangelical and comparative religion major here. As much as I disagree with the practices, dogma, and politics of evangelicals, especially fundamentalist evangelicals, I don't think it is accurate to label evangelicalism a cult. At least it is no more a cult than the Catholic church or mainline protestant denominations. Arguably, evangelical churches are more decentralized and lack a common leader other than God. Many evangelical churches are non-denominational meaning that they don't belong to any dogma prescribing organization or higher authority. In fact, one major tenet of evangelicalism is that people can talk to Jesus directly without the need of mediation from priests or ministers. Of course, there are numerous, independent evangelical churches led by charismatic, narcissistic, greedy preachers, and those could be described as cults, but not the entire evangelical movement.

28points

Individual_Lemon_139 Report

#19

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread MLMs.

BoothWilkesJohn replied:

Absolutely yes. My folks are in Amway, starting when I was in middle school. They were supposed to be millionaires by the time my dad retired (they are not).

Growing up, they were hardly ever home. They were gone every weekend at events that of course they paid to attend. Every time we were driving, they played self help tapes. The worst though was that they wanted everything to be positive, nothing negative. Sad? Be happy. Angry? Be happy. I couldn't have any kind of relationship with them beyond pretending everything was fine. A whole household bottles up their feelings for years. Once I was 17, I was hardly ever home. I slept at friends' homes or came back super late, after everyone was asleep. I left the day I turned 18.

It has completely consumed their lives. All of their social life is Amway, not because they cut people out who didn't join, because everyone who wouldn't got sick of the sales pitch over and over. After I became an adult and left their home, any time we came back to visit, they were trying to recruit me and my wife. We stopped going over except for the primary holidays, and now hardly that anymore. They've stopped the sales pitch, but it's their whole identity. We have nothing to talk about, except what's going on with us, which doesn't last long. It's beyond awkward.

Fortunately, my wife has a delightful family.

Final score:

129points

POST

Mrs. EW 2 years ago

My fam was all into the Amway nonsense for a bit. Many “vacations” were centered around conferences. We had all the tapes, cleaning products, vitamins, shakes and the Goads. My sister and I were all about that band, as we were very young. I had the, “I love Jesus better than ice cream shirt”. My dad had the one that said, “Fired Up!” I was even up in stage with them once. So weird

14points

#20

Crossfitter here. We are absolutely a cult.

Phish fan also. HUGE cult.

RunawaYEM Report

Final score:

127points

POST

OhnoI’vebeencensored 2 years ago

Hey, might as well own it!

26points

#21

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread Ballet.

You are basically at their whim. You are expected to pay tuition, costumes, dance wear, dance shoes, travel fees, competition fees, production fees, tickets, and do volunteer work and give up your entire schedule.

If you complain at all about anything valid or not- they shun you by not giving your kid a good role or not moving them up a level. And they withhold attention to your child.

You literally must schedule all life around ballet. And pay thousands and thousands of dollars so your kid can be in the back.

If you quit all the former dance parents and friends will shun you.

glitterbomb222 , Javon Swaby Report

Final score:

122points

POST

john s 2 years ago

whatever you do, do not gain a pound.

49points

Previous_Proof21 , Geraldshields11 Report

#22

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread MLMs, particularly Mary Kay. I once attended a convention as a consultant's guest in an effort to persuade me to go. Very stepford-like. She also failed to inform me that you were supposed to dress up, so I arrived in jeans and a hoodie.

Final score:

121points

POST

Rider 2 years ago

I don't like to admit it, but I was in amway for several months. Very cultish. But I did get some good out of the audios, it helped to put me in a frame of mind to get my finances back on track.

23points

#23

Literally all of them. There isn’t a single cult, including the really scary ones that people make documentaries about, that believes it’s a cult.

Source: I was raised in the Children of God/Family International. We never thought we were in a cult, but we very much were.

rose_reader Report

Final score:

116points

POST

SparkleFarts 2 years ago

Oof. I only recently learned about this cult and it is DARK

42points

#24

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Duggar Family.

lemonrence replied:

They’re associated with IBLP and Gothard was their leader so definitely a cult. Someone is dropping a highly anticipated documentary about it some time next year, really can’t wait to watch it

If you go to r/DuggarsSnark there was a recent AMA done with a childhood friend of Anna Duggar, wife of convicted pedophile/oldest Duggar son. Very enlightening read

Ok_Garden571 Report

Final score:

111points

POST

BrownTabby 2 years ago

I used to be on a forum that talked about the cultishness of the Duggars. Their nickname for Gothard was Got Hard.

27points

#25

Masons! My husband joined and was in it for a long time. I used to joke with him that it was a cult and he’d defend the masons. He tried for a while to have me join the Order of the Eastern Star and I declined. Then one day I noticed he didn’t go to his meeting, then his missed another and another. When I asked he just said he no longer had the time. I jokingly said oh did you finally realize that you joined a cult? He turned 3 shades lighter and walked away.

BamaInFlorida Report

Final score:

107points

POST

MJ 2 years ago

Always wondered what they were doing.

33points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#26

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The troubled teen industry (youth residential “therapy” programs that are underregulated and rampant with abuse, SA, and children’s deaths)

Edit: the earlier programs were closely based off the teachings of a cult called Synanon. Not every program open right now is a cult itself but their history is abusive and most programs do significantly more harm than good.

ThrowAwayy05401 , cottonbro Report

Final score:

103points

POST

James016 2 years ago

Where they kidnap kids in the night with the parents' consent? Is it that?

33points

pm-me-cute-butts07 Report

#27

Here in the Philippines, we have a pretty big one called "Iglesia ni Cristo / Church of Christ".

Don't even think about leaving once you become a member. You'll be heavily ostracized and shamed on by your family, friends, and other church members. They'll even send an official out to "convince(harass)" you until you come back.

It's gotten so bad that there's many support groups for ex-members. There's even one on Reddit called: r/exIglesiaNiCristo

It's not as bad as the f****d up cults in the world that do very bad things, but they're still generally hated here.

If I were to compare them with another religion, they're probably like those aggressive super-Mormons you hear about here. But to me, INC is worse since they actually meddle in the country's politics for their own interests.

Final score:

92points

POST

DumYum 2 years ago (edited)

Actually meddle in the country’s politics, you say? That is true of so many religions and countries world wide.

40points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#28

"I’m So Thankful I Got Out Of That": 30 Cults That Pretend They're Not Cults, According To This Online Thread The Andrew Tate fandom.

SomeEntityHere replied:

Andrew Tate's War Room is definitely a cult as well.

alima_2007 , Wikipedia Report

Final score:

82points

POST

Jack S 2 years ago

Who?

111points

Mulberry Juice 2 years ago

The misogynistic c**t who has a podcast where he talks about what an “ideal woman” should be like and his other misogynistic tenets. His podcast has caused many young men and boys to abuse and/or just their girlfriends/wives. If anyone else knows more, please do say

50points

3 Owls In A Coat 2 years ago

Wish.com Pitbull

20points

Andrew R Davis 2 years ago

Andrew Tate

3points

lauralett50 2 years ago

That's what I said

2points

john s 2 years ago

i thought this was a low-rent pitbull impersonator.

13points

lauralett50 2 years ago

That's funny.

0points

ƒιѕн 2 years ago

He does have a very punchable face...

12points

James016 2 years ago

The guy is a misogynistic arsewipe.

12points

JoyfulZebra 2 years ago

I keep on hearing about him, but have no idea who he is, and I'm fine with keeping it that way.

11points

Mulberry Juice 2 years ago

You are one lucky zebra

9points

JERRY NO YOU DON’T supports Ukraine 2 years ago

I hate this guy so much. The boys at my school are always talking about him. "Ooh Andrew Tate" he's a f*****g anti feminist.

9points

Ryner 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

General Anaesthesia 2 years ago

Misogynistic (among other things) xx kick boxer, according to wiki, and here we go again, "influencer". So I suppose he he got kicked in the head a few times too many.

9points

Queen Mab 2 years ago

Well, he's certainly unattractive physically.

6points

Queen Mab 2 years ago

He's certainly unattractive physically.

4points

Yosua Kemicho 2 years ago

never heard of him

4points

Tamra 2 years ago

Then your life is better for it. He's an oil slick in the gene pool.

11points

K- THULU 2 years ago

Who is he?

4points

Charlie Taube 2 years ago

King of the incels

14points

Kantami Blossom 2 years ago

Guy is a cockwomble of the lowest calibre

3points

Susan Alderson 1 year ago

WHO?

0points

MetaMaxNL 2 years ago

ya, who?

0points

Bad Alchemy 2 years ago

I also say, Who?

0points

Rostit . 2 years ago

I dont know who this is. I also dont care to learn.

0points

Linda HS 2 years ago

Huh?

0points

Justin Trouble 2 years ago

I don't know who this is

0points

Scipio Africanus 2 years ago

The guys a genius. He manipulated the entire internet into making himself the most famous person on the planet and made millions and on top of that I don’t even think he is who he says he is. I’m almost positive he’s a completely different person when the camera is off. (Still a bit misogynistic but nowhere near what his camera personality is)

-1point

2 years ago

and the MHA fandom. No hate. I'm part of it.

-1point

Colin Docherty 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago

The fact that you think only Democrats can spot an arsehole when they see one certainly says a lot, but not in the way that you'd hoped.

0points

level 2 Winter_Day_6836 Report

#29

My parents sent me to this all girls "Christian reform" school. Long story short, it was a cult, only took me 30 years to figure out through therapy. F'd me up

Final score:

80points

POST

DumYum 2 years ago (edited)

Reminds me of Dar Williams’ song, Teen for God.

10points

#30

Jared Leto and his followers.
That mf is fake, and has a messiah complex.
And his followers, don't get me started on them

theygrilledT Report

Final score:

74points

POST

the bean master 2 years ago

Its morbin time!!!!!!

15points

Standard_Reception29 Report

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#31

Crunchy moms especially since many of them have started being far right or involved in the quiverfull movement. I used to be one and its insane the amount of money and dedication I put into that c**p and if you veered just a little bit you were shunned. I offered a mom once a packet of organic gummies for her kid and you would have thought I was handing her poison because goodness forbid it's got dye and sugar in it. They are constantly trying to "one up" themselves to see who is more "pure" and "natural". I saw mom's on FB groups try to treat their kids burns with EOs and have them on sugar fasts where they weren't even allowed fruit. My husband and I have a kid who was high in medical needs and didn't make a lot of money but I spent so much on organic food, "natural" everything, I made my own cleaning supplies, read all the mommy blogs and worried about microwaves,toxins in the air, vaccines,etc. There was always something new to worry about and some new solution I could buy or make to "help". I was a nervous wreck most of the time and broke asf. Plus my kid started worrying all the time about toxins and that was a big wake up call for me.

I also went to a church where it was believed you needed to have as many kids as possible, didn't celebrate holidays,etc. Also you weren't allowed to talk about anything that contradicted their teachings and you were limited on what you were allowed to read. I was told I didn't have enough faith because I only had one kid never mind the fact another could literally kill me.I left after I started seeing things that really bothered me like child abuse that was being hushed about plus once again,trying to stay that damn "perfect" in their eyes was stressful asf. I'm much happier now in my heathen and anti crunchy ways 😂😂

Final score:

40points

POST

Lorrie Rothstein 2 years ago

What's a crunchy mom?

12points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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#32

A Christian affiliated dénomination called *United Church of God*

I grew up in this church. I remember hearing several sermons about what a cult is and how many people called the United Church of God a cult (wikipedia even classifies it as a cult lol AND THEY WOULD MENTION THAT FACT IN SERMONS".

They'd go on and on about how catholicism is really the biggest cult of all.

Lol the denial is really deep within this one. My whole immediate family still attends and is baptized. At least they finally gave up on trying to reconvert me.

jamesblondeee Report

Final score:

35points

POST

Robert McKenzie 2 years ago

"They'd go on and on about how catholicism is really the biggest cult of all." Well at least they managed to get one thing right!

11points

#33

Texas A&M.

mrbuh replied:

My mom likes to tell the story about when I visited there as a high school senior. It was a one night sleepover tour.

I hated it.

When she came to pick me up the following day I was waiting at the curb, sitting on my packed suitcase. I hopped immediately into the car and the first thing I said was, "It's a cult. Let's get out of here."

Magija214 Report

Final score:

34points

POST

Jonathan Labelle 2 years ago

what is texas A&M

4points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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#34

My wife grew up in a cult that her mother is still part of/a heavily active member. They tell you where to live, how long to live there, who to MARRY, & how much money you make. They rent abandoned warehouses every few years throughout the country & it is invite ONLY to get in. & then they disappear without a trace.

One of the ex members wrote a blog about it like 10 years ago & I'll link it if I can find it.

Also, it's just called The Church of Christ

AMA

Ok-Constant-3772 Report

Final score:

33points

POST

KING ILLEGAL FOREST 2 years ago

Sounds like the Word of Faith Fellowship.

5points

#35

Peloton.

Otmfer replied:

Absolutely. The Facebook page is so toxic. If you say anything negative about the company, hundreds of people come for you. It’s so strange. It’s like they think you’re talking about their family.

SnooSeagulls1625 Report

Final score:

31points

POST

Brightly 2 years ago

I think that cult is starting to implode.

10points

#36

Christian science.

No_Street_5024 Report

Final score:

31points

POST

Jack S 2 years ago

More like Christian science fiction lol.

28points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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#37

Disney.

CPA0908 replied:

there's the Disney adults that will go to Disney a few times a year or at all, and that enjoy the parks like normal people.

then there's the Disney adults with entirely Disney merch, magnets, bumper stickers, cups, shirts, all that kind of s**t. those are the bad ones

SuvenPan Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Veronica Rabbit 2 years ago

Disney kinda freaks me out to be honest.

15points

#38

Whatever ridiculousness The Transformed Wife spreads.

kwunschel316 Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Brightly 2 years ago

Oh, yeah. She is a nutbar for sure!

4points

#39

Apple users.

512165381 replied:

I was in a mall one weekday & there few a few people in each store. Walked into the small Apple store & there were about 80 people there. Like a cult convention.

wineblood Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Karma Black 2 years ago

I must be weird. I have an iPad and an iphone, but they're honestly just a phone and tablet that suit my meds more than my Androids did. None of my accessories are Apple. My smartwatch isn't Apple. My laptop isn't Apple. I just don't understand the cultish attitude around the products.

20points

NoConsideration5775 Report

#40

There's the usual answers like religions, tech start-ups, etc.

And then there's the BTS Army.

Final score:

21points

POST

PattyK 2 years ago

What is the BTS Army?

8points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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#41

Avatar EPC, founded by an ex scientology member. Their vision is to "enlighten" the world. I've done their basic course, 9 days, which did have real good parts (mid week), but the people there were weird. Some of them were straight outcast, weird, probably rejected by society somehow. One guy had a "happy face". He kept on smiling because that would make him happy. I believe it to some extend that if you smile, you get to feel more happy, but this only works for a small part. He did it all the way. He coached me with some excercises, and surprisingly he really did help me - but man, was he weird!

They told me that all they did was give you a training for money, but while doing the training they tried to trick you into doing the next course, the master course. The first course you did for yourself, the second one you did for the people around you - family, friends, name it. It felt really wrong, and I didn't do the master course. During the day-opening they gave all of these subliminal messages, pushing you to subscribe to the master course. If you did, you got a badge with a star on it, so everybody could see it, and the rest of the week you got compliments and friendly conversations because of it.

Right after lunch they showed videos of Harry Palmer, the founder, who did instructional or educational videos. These were horrible to watch, and after two days I skipped them. You had to leave lunch early, sometimes with an excuse, because otherwise they wouldn't let you go. They even checked the toilets. With 400 people doing the course, they didn't notice my absence, so that was good.

It was amazing how quick I ended up talking to the top three people during that week, probably because I resisted. They were fascinated with me somehow. It was a strange group of people. After a while I realised that I didn't want any of them becoming my friend.

After that week they kept calling me each month, and I couldn't pick up because I didn't know how to say no to these people. They are excellent salesmen and know how to keep you from saying no, like "but don't you want to be happy?" The trick was to say "no" real plain, decisive but not too, and never to use an excuse. If you said that it was too expensive, or that you had a holiday planned, they offered to help you ask for money from your boss for this training, or to help you to cancel the holiday.

They did teach me some real good tricks, and it did help me clear my head for some time, but in the end I didn't want to be part of it. If you went all in, it meant daily contact with another Avatar-"friend" to do the excercises to keep you awake. It creeped me out.

MeAndTheLampPost Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago

And here was me thinking Harry Palmer was a Michael Caine role

5points

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#42

High end raiding guilds in World of Warcraft. I'm not sure how much anymore, I haven't played in a couple years, but especially back in Vanilla-WotLK days

Being in a raiding guild really felt like being in a cult. Like, you were pretty much expected to give up everything outside of raiding. It would take hours upon hours a week of scheduled time with the guild, then many more hours outside the raiding to work up your professions, grind dailies,

I've known people to neglect their health, kids, jobs, school, family, everything because their guild was determined to be the best on their server. You listen to the guild leader for your schedule and you live by it. You follow orders.

And of course you /can/ technically leave at any time, and you'll be kicked out if you don't perform well, but, it's such an addiction that quitting it is like quitting a drug. It was easier for me to quit smoking than to quit raiding.

spacelordmthrfkr Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Roland Gosselin 2 years ago

Yeah, same with many other MMORPG or just MMO games. Super addictive, take over your life, siphon your bank account.

5points

#43

SEC College football

Sauce: Live in the South. I've seen people nearly get into fist fights over this s**t.

DriftingPyscho Report

Final score:

17points

POST

JoyfulZebra 2 years ago

The Auburn-Alabama might just be the most toxic sports rivalry in the U.S., and that's saying something.

10points

#44

The parachute regiment

punKcha Report

Final score:

2points

POST

El Dee 2 years ago

The average life of a para in combat used to be 6 hours. That's literally what you sign up and train for..

6points

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

Read less »

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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What do you think ?

POST

WonderWoman 2 years ago

American Football

15points

Nicholas Montgomery 2 years ago

yes. they get you to by merch and hype it up while its just a mediocre preformance.

0points

DandyLion 2 years ago (edited)

I hate how if you state an opinion that varies from everyone else (and it is not even hateful opinions) that you get banned and your account locked down. If you are not making threats to people's lives or actively trying to offend people you should be allowed to state your opinion even if people don't agree with it. I rarely come on here because one side of a conversation is always pushed forward and any difference in opinion is drowned out. What is the comment section for?!? It is for people to state their opinions. If you don't want differences in opinion then don't even offer a comment section. Thank you.

13points

Sam Walker 2 years ago

Here, here! I kept waiting to see "Wokism" listed anywhere and was grossly disappointed.

0points

DJR 2 years ago

US Navy chief petty officers. It's a cult of toxic leadership. They are more committed to each other than they are to the navy. One line from the manual stuck out above the rest: "when sailors come to you with their idea, they leave with the chief's idea".

13points

Jaguarundi 2 years ago

The wives in any military branch. They do "some" good things, but you don't want to be on their "sh*t list". They talk about their "Med Cruise" or their "deployment" or their "Unitas" like they were the person serving. Then they usually would run out to the local dive bar once the ship cleared the moorings. I get truly disgusted when they want to be referred to as their spouse's rate as if they were the one who earned it. BTW, I was once a Navy wife (Ret.) and I was a Navy Brat for much of my life.

6points

JustinTime 2 years ago

Most higher ups in any military branch.

3points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Sergeants in the military, or their equivalent, pretty much. My dad was Navy, my uncle Marine, my other uncle Navy, my other uncle Army, seemed pretty universal.

2points

Terd Fergison 2 years ago

The JW is one of the worst cults. They have huge amounts of rapes, child rapes, and coverups that go all the way to the top of their organization. They misinterpret one line of the Bible that says, don’t take the blood, and they think it applies to modern blood transfusions. So, if a JW mother is bleeding out during childbirth, they refuse blood transfusions and they often times let the JW mother die. They claim that the world is ending any minute. And they have been claiming that for well over a hundred years. They have made many specific end times prophecies that have all failed. Because of this they discourage their cult members from going to college. Because they think the world is ending and they don’t want their people to gain outside knowledge (knowledge that’ll contradict their lies). They horribly shun any member that doesn’t follow their strict rules. They are homophobic. They are truly sick, sad people.

6points

E A M 2 years ago

Cat People - of which I am proudly a member! Once a cat sinks its claws into your heart, there's no going back. Before you know it, you have cat apparel and accessories, cat home decor and most of your salary is going toward toys and beds they will never use and food they'll love one day and hate the next.

6points

B Jones 2 years ago

Motorcycle groups like hells angels not mentioned. Maybe more gang than cult but I still feel cult fits. Might do dinner good things to keep up their image but the fanaticism is strong

3points

DC 2 years ago

... and so many more... The Hells Angels are one for sure, ... controlling, restricting, grabbing as they all are, but in this case they somehow got themselves into thinking that, while there is no reason to fear them, there are plenty of reasons to fear them. Totally nuts, all of it.

3points

madbakes 2 years ago

They are a gang, and I guess every gang is kind of a cult.

3points

Phyllis Turbin 2 years ago

Facebook

2points

John Montgomery 2 years ago

Are there actually any cults that admit they are cults?

2points

CaptainDinosaur 2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

2points

RJ The Drama King 2 years ago

How did nobody say Southern Baptist. My dads side of the family didn't talk to me for a bit because I dated a "witch". She literally just liked reading books like Harry Potter

1point

Alex Truther 2 years ago

As a proud vegan, I feel left out of this list. Trust me, when you tell someone you're a vegan, they act like you are in a cult. 😂

1point

Solidhog 2 years ago

Apple?

1point

ObsidianAce_ 2 years ago

Marching band. We have meetings/practices/games every week, we have jokes that no one else understands, most marching band kids friends are also in marching band, we joke about being a cult, we all wear ___ band shirts on game days. We are absolutely a cult. This is a joke. (Wanna join marching band?)

1point

AA Matty 1 year ago

What the hell? Is everything a cult? Noticed that there aren't any left wing ones, like BLM, Antifa or Obama supporters.

0points

Shyla Bouche 2 years ago

Sardonyx, I agree with you. Christianity quickly became all about earthly power, and the message was lost. That doesn't mean goodness doesn't exist in our world, or that there aren't people who take the tenets of Jesus to heart. I wish more people would.

0points

Tunk 2 years ago

Meh. We are all part of a cult. Everything we do and buy and eat and shop and act and watch. We turn against and attack each other instead of holding the puppet masters of corporation and government to account. And then we reward them with popularity and eye watering amounts of money when we know how many millions of lives they directly affect. Glass houses innt.

0points

Peter Trudell Jr 2 years ago

totally schocked no one mentioned GameStop stock holder 'apes'.

0points

2 years ago

My choir teacher has us chant song notes so we'll remember them

0points

MonsterMum 2 years ago

I'm surprised Steiner Education hasn't been mentioned

0points

Luna Crow 2 years ago

I'm surprised Burning Man didn't make this list

-1point

Barbara Cochrane 2 years ago

Soo everything is a cult according to all of you? Sports, religion, education, any hobby, anything you enjoy with other people is a cult?

-2points

Zachary Gillette 2 years ago

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Powerful Katrinka 2 years ago

I knew someone would say this. AA has absolutely NOTHING cult-like about it. There is no leader, no one demands all your money, each group is completely autonomous, you can come and go as you like, and the only requirement for membership is "a desire to stop drinking." There are some individual groups that are rigid and judgmental, but that is always because of some members' egos. There is a saying in AA: if you don't like the group you're in, go out and start a group of your own. I've attended meetings of AA atheists who can't stomach any talk of God, so there isn't even a requirement to believe in the same thing.

18points

Frando Bone 2 years ago

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dab 2 years ago

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censorshipsucks 2 years ago

noooooo it's called greenhouse effect. Have you ever been in a greenhouse? why is it hotter than the open air outside it? because it traps the suns rays inside. Same with CO2. This is really trivial to google. Instead of reading trumpist comments on facebook, try an actual university. https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/sustainability/evidence-climate-change

9points

Frando Bone 2 years ago

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William Teach 2 years ago

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Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

I'm not offended. I'm sad you think that anyone who thinks humans contribute to climate change are without understanding, "pray to Gaia" (?!?!) and think the gov't will fix it. That's a very echo-chamber view, and you've discounted the work of thousands of scientists, who have collected mountains of data and majority of them have seen the same result: Humans f*ck things up.

16points

POST

WonderWoman 2 years ago

American Football

15points

Nicholas Montgomery 2 years ago

yes. they get you to by merch and hype it up while its just a mediocre preformance.

0points

DandyLion 2 years ago (edited)

13points

Sam Walker 2 years ago

Here, here! I kept waiting to see "Wokism" listed anywhere and was grossly disappointed.

0points

DJR 2 years ago

13points

Jaguarundi 2 years ago

6points

JustinTime 2 years ago

Most higher ups in any military branch.

3points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

Sergeants in the military, or their equivalent, pretty much. My dad was Navy, my uncle Marine, my other uncle Navy, my other uncle Army, seemed pretty universal.

2points

Terd Fergison 2 years ago

6points

E A M 2 years ago

6points

B Jones 2 years ago

Motorcycle groups like hells angels not mentioned. Maybe more gang than cult but I still feel cult fits. Might do dinner good things to keep up their image but the fanaticism is strong

3points

DC 2 years ago

3points

madbakes 2 years ago

They are a gang, and I guess every gang is kind of a cult.

3points