Cults and Extreme Belief

1 season available

Journalist Elizabeth Vargas, alongside former members of controversial organizations, goes on a search to uncover how these sects use their influence to prey upon people's desperation to create powerful and often destructive belief systems.
NXIVM
S1 E1

A former recruiter for multilevel marketing self-help group NXIVM, Sarah Edmondson exposes the organization as a destructive sex cult in October 2017 and works to support the criminal prosecution of the cult's leader, Keith Raniere.

Jehovah's Witnesses
S1 E2

Former Jehovah's Witness Romy Maple, a survivor of child sexual abuse, embarks on a journey to uncover why her pleas for justice were systematically ignored by top members of the organization.

Children of God
S1 E3

Amy Bril recounts her childhood growing up in the Children of God, a group notorious for pedophilia and religious prostitution; Amy and others born and raised in the group band together to address a suicide epidemic among fellow survivors.

U.N.O.I.
S1 E4

Forced into child labor, physical abuse and squalid living conditions while growing up in the United Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad seeks justice for himself and the other children abused by UNOI and the teachings of its leader, Royall Jenkins.

World Peace and Unification Sanctuary
S1 E5

Former "Moonie" Teddy Hose attempts to alert the public to a gun-obsessed Unification Church offshoot known as the Sanctuary Church of Newfoundland, Penn., which preaches an extreme gospel and guns at the center of worship.

Twelve Tribes
S1 E6

Despite their hippie persona and rustic community businesses, the Twelve Tribes stand accused of abusing children and subjugating women; disconnected from her family, ex-member Samie Brosseau works to expose the organization's abusive practices.

FLDS
S1 E7

Many believed that when Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison for child sexual assault, the problems within the FLDS community would be solved; instead, devoted followers are forced to fend for themselves in a world they were taught to fear.

The Survivors Speak, Part 1
S1 E8

Former members of different groups meet to discuss their shared experiences with Elizabeth Vargas.

The Survivors Speak, Part 2
S1 E9

Former members of different groups meet to discuss their shared experiences with Elizabeth Vargas.