People Magazine Investigates: Cults

Season 2

2019 · 6 episodes · 4h 18m in all

Episodes

1. 

   1. Children of God

   3 Jun 2019 · 43 min

   Prophet David Berg attracts thousands of followers as the Children of God cult spreads through communes around the world. But his free love message turns sinister, espousing prostitution, sexual abuse of children and rampant violence in prison camps.

2. 

   2. Manson Family Murders

   10 Jun 2019 · 43 min

   In the late 60's, Charles Manson entices dozens of young women to live with him in a California desert commune. The facade breaks when he orders his followers to commit a string of murders that 50 years later, still haunt the nation's psyche.

3. 

   3. Heaven's Gate

   17 Jun 2019 · 43 min

   Heaven's Gate leader, Marshall Applewhite convinced 39 people to follow him to their graves. The world knows the horrible event as the largest mass suicide on US soil, but for followers, it was an exit strategy towards catching a UFO to heaven.

4. 

   4. The Sinful Messiah

   24 Jun 2019 · 43 min

   In 2014, a severed human leg draws attentions to The Work, an apocalyptic cult. Known as the Sinful Messiah, Julius Schacknow declares total devotion and terrible sacrifice, called the "special work," as the only way to achieve eternal salvation.

5. 

   5. The Movement of God

   1 Jul 2019 · 43 min

   Charismatic preacher Sam Fife inspires a worldwide network of nondenominational Christian groups. To prepare for the apocalypse, followers renounce everything to move to the wilderness where they're subjected to beatings, exorcisms and brainwashing.

6. 

   6. Word of Faith

   8 Jul 2019 · 43 min

   To this day, lost souls flock to North Carolina where they're promised deliverance from demons by Pastor Jane Whaley at the Word of Faith Fellowship. But deliverance comes at a price, including beatings, medical horrors, and psychological abuse.