People Magazine Investigates: Cults

In the late 50s Jim Jones founded the Peoples Temple focused on helping those in need. By 1975 he was setting up what was supposed to be a utopia known as Jonestown. But utopia quickly turned into a hell as he spiraled deeper into his own paranoia.

Yahweh Ben Yahweh is a respected religious leader in the 1980s but behind the facade, he rules his followers with terror and violence. One survivor shares the story of this cult leader whose ruthless tactics ruin hundreds of lives and leaves 14 dead.

The followers of cult leader Dwight York come from all walks of life. Ruby joins the Nuwaubian Nation when looking for answers to lifes big questions while Niki is brought in as a child. Both become disillusioned as they learn the truth about York.

In the late 60s, 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 nations psyche.

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.

To this day, lost souls flock to North Carolina where theyre 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.