June, 2008
Death Cults
How beliefs can be deadly
In the upcoming months, we will take a closer look at cults. What are they, why do they exist, why are they so dangerous?

Willy Wegner, of the Danish skeptics, will describe four death cults. Although the four groups are very different, and cannot be directly compared, they all share some basic characteristics, such as a charismatic leader. Without the leader, no cult. Without followers, no leader.

Aum Shinrikyo Heavenly Terror How the Tokyo subway became a death trap, and hundreds of people got caught in a Millennial cult of mind-control and New Age rubbish.		Heaven's Gate Ascent to Madness UFO believers are not always mere fantasy-prone romantics, hooked on Star Trek and other science-fiction dreams.
Kanungu Hell on Earth Religious fanaticism coupled with extortion and persecution can only lead to a very real hell on Earth. More than 1,000 people died a horrible death, because of a few wanted it that way.		The Waco Massacre Sex, guns and religion A botched ATF raid on a religious compound resulted in a 51-day siege and the deaths of almost a hundred people, many of them children, many burned to death. All on your television, too.