What happens when true believers go too far?

Thousands of religious, political and self-improvement cults are active around the world, and an estimated 2 to 5 million Americans have been involved in a cult at some point. Not all cults are destructive, but members’ unwavering faith in an absolute leader and an intense devotion to a cause often lay the groundwork for criminal acts to take place―even murder and mass suicides.

•The Manson Family

Hippie devotees turn violent to manifest God’s race war

•The Peoples Temple

Hundreds of utopia seekers meet their end in the Guyanese jungle by ingesting a cyanide-laced drink

• The Vampire Clan

Teenagers consume blood and bludgeon an unsuspecting Florida couple to death

• Heaven’s Gate

Nike-adorned disciples commit suicide to transport onto a spaceship approaching

•Earth Silvia Meraz Moreno’s Santa Muerte

Cult Members collect sacrificial blood by slicing open victims’ veins while their hearts are still beating