Calicious
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I just crossed 100,000 internet points with you goofy dudes. As celebration, here is a small dump of disturbing religious documentaries. Be warned, a lot of these contain some horrible people, but to my knowledge none of them were drag queens.
1. Wild Wild Country
A controversial guru builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, it causes a massive conflict with local ranchers. This docuseries chronicles the conflict, which leads to the first bioterror attack in the United States and a massive case of illegal wiretapping
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7768848/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt
2. Holy Hell
Man with glowing nipples seduces Inara Serra from Firefly
- Wait, no. That's not right.
A failed actor who wears nothing but swimsuits and eyeliner starts a cult in California by recruiting at yoga classes.
- This isn't much more believable tbh.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5278464/
3. Prophet's Prey
Documentary about Warren Jeffs, the leader of the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jeffs currently runs the cult from prison, where he’s serving a life sentence for raping two teenage girls.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4188202/
4. Jesus Camp
Looks at the extreme edge of the evangelical Christian movement, focusing especially on the scripture-based children’s camp for which the movie receives its name. The documentary questions the nature of the camp’s teachings, asking if what they sell is salvation or indoctrination.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486358/
5. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
A startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762111/
6. Children of God (1994)
Helen Mirren interviews people about being raised in a cult called The Family, where sexually abusing children was common practice, and in which Joaquin Phoenix and Rose McGowan escaped as children.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt6051792
7. Waco: The Rules of Engagement
A reassessment of the tragedy at Waco that left 76 members of the Branch Davidian religious sect dead.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0120472/
8. Heaven's Gate
A thorough examination of the infamous UFO cult through the eyes of its former members and loved ones. What started in 1975 with the disappearance of 20 people from a small town in Oregon, ended in 1997 with the largest suicide on US soil and changed the face of modern new age religion forever.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11210146/
9. A (1998)
the Aum Shinrikyo cult follows a 28-year-old group spokesperson who had to sever all family ties to join the sect. The cult carried out the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, which killed 12 people and affected over 1,000 others.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241146/
10. Enlighten Us
Self-help speaker James Arthur Ray charges people $10,000 each to attend a meditation retreat, where he makes them shave their heads and fast without food or water for days in a desert sweat lodge, which leaves three dead and an additional 18 injured.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5241010/
11. Sex Abuse in the Church: Code of Silence
Secret internal documents reveal how Catholic Church officials protect priests accused of pedophilia and sexual abuse by moving them from country to country, sometimes as far away as Africa
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14592524/
Thanks for dropping by. Here is a pic of my floofs since taxes are due today. Lets toast to the next 100,000 points!
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
#8. Apparently, the Heaven's Gate website is still up. https://www.heavensgate.com/
klaceo
PBS has a good documentary on waco. I think there is one about bethel school of supernatural ministry (Christian Hogwarts)
artistandascholar2000
I know two female Children of God ex-members from different continents (one from Spain, the other from Brazil). Both live in my same city in the US randomly. Lots of sexual abuse as kids. Lots of weirdness growing up. Neither I would classify as 100% normal but they are managing. Very messed-up cult.
ineverlikedthatdrstupid
Different use of the phrase “cult classic”
Calicious
copperdomebodhi
Glad these got made. People need to know. Also, I don't want to watch even one.
youreathing
11 reasons to completely avoid organized religion.
apunadaykeepseveryoneaway
I recommend watching Documentary Now's parody of Wild Wild Country. It's just about as weird and crazy as the actual documentary.
zFUBARz
Jesus Camp was a hell of a watch back in the day.
BarnyShark
Apparently my buddy's older (in their 20s when we were in high school) siblings who moved to Texas knew a guy who ended up being a Heaven's Gate member/victim. Apparently in the early 90s before he joined the cult he was part of their group who would throw these big "taking drugs and shooting guns" parties out in the desert, and they'd have commemorative t-shirts made every year. Called it the "Texas Brain Cell Massacre", my pal stole one of the shirts from his big brother, wore it to school.
artistandascholar2000
I worked with one of the grandsons of the founder for a few years. Luckily he hadn’t had much contact with his g.pa but it must have been a big stigma in the family.
Ruik
Psycho neighbor has "Heaven's Gate" painted on their mailbox. They also ended up eating their pet potbellied pig.
SlightlyDodgy
Was Scientology missed out by accident or was this posted twice after they had it deleted the first time?
Calicious
Huh? I never deleted this. I didn't do scientology because I haven't seen a documentary about it that was disturbing enough. There are some great podcasts that fit the bill, but otherwise the documentaries are mostly weird, but not disturbing.
SlightlyDodgy
I was joking about the fact many people who post Scientology comments or memes get downvoted and often reported en-masse for made up reasons. It's the thing they do on all social media forums. Sure you can get a post or comment to stay, but only when it gets upvotes enough by normal people first.
Calicious
Ah gotcha. I didn't know that. Fuck Scientology
thedarkcanuck
#4 THAT is grooming
Mewmus
From what I recall, Nichelle Nichols brother was amongst the heavens gate people
ROGUEdenied
I wanna join the cult with the floofs!
Calicious
Sorry, they exclusively recruit followers with squeakers, and then brutally sacrifice them after a few days.
Eomund521
I've seen a couple of these on the show "evil within". The one dude running the cult from prison apperantly even has current hits out on family members.
UndeadGopher
#9 this picture here was often touted as evidence that the dude could levitate. As if it isn't clear in the grainy picture that he's just pushed himself up off the ground. His hair is flying everywhere and he's all strained. Ridiculous.
MyRespectableAlterEgo
Here it is - along with a dive into it https://youtu.be/KQMZexRllNs
MyRespectableAlterEgo
There’s an INCREDIBLY sinister video that was found in some garage sale showing what appears to be the preparation of Sarin for an abortive attack on Disneyland. I thought it had to be a hoax, then I watched it and there’s something about it that just makes the hairs on your arms stand up. They’re a terrifying group.
Calicious
I chose this image specifically because the premise is so objectively idiotic.
PiercedViking
Check out Kumaré. Really fascinating look into how easy it is to start a cult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewVlzvCwiDE
HelpfulCorn
Thanks, I've always wanted to be a cult leader
CharlesOffdensen
Fuck it, I’ve got nothing to do this weekend. Who wants to be the Right Hand to the earthly reincarnation of His Holiness Macho Man Randy Savage?
TempAgency
Another documentary based on #3 is “Keep Sweet, pray and obey” on Netflix.
kittykat
That was pretty sad, especially how families were torn apart.
eckygaz
Gave me nightmares for sure.
DocWino
That’s was a hard watch.
SunAnvil
Prophets Prey was disturbing enough to watch.
HuruinaInu
I remember watching the news when the Jonestown story came out. Saw the footage of the shooting at the plane. Truly disturbing. If you want to see that story recreated as a horror movie, watch "The Sacrament" (made in 2013),
zeacorzeppelin10
I have told my therapist I will cause myself self induced trauma by going down creepy rabbit holes like this.
Calicious
aThingWithTheStufAndTheJunk
#4 "extreme edge of" no that's just Evangelical Christianity. Also #10 was parodied on Arrested Development.
Calicious
Yeah, I thought that too about #4, but I took the quote directly.
aThingWithTheStufAndTheJunk
I think when the film was made, people were giving them a bit more benefit of the doubt.
Calicious
Yeah, they definitely avoided straight up calling them all crazy to avoid an allout boycott. I was one of those kids, so I know its the norm
originalhuman
Sad that only one of these is on HBO.
Eucrow
Commenting for later reference. Thanks!
Yupurineutah
#8 Just Do It.
DigYourselfBaby
ArmlessHoodieDance
#4 is super uncomfortable for me. This was my childhood. I’ve been to “Bible Camps” and “Youth Retreats” just like this.
albaboss
I was thinking the exact same thing. So many of us have been plagued by religion. I can’t wait to raise my children without it
graehall
Same, it's fucked up what religion does to kids, and it's fucked up to experience it first hand
Calicious
This was my childhood also, and the inspiration for this list. It took me a while to watch Jesus. I had to keep turning it off because I was literally one of those kids. Being able to see just how powerfully brainwashed I was from the outside was frightening.
DeadOnionSaysWhat
I work at a catholic daycare and every time we pray I feel like I'm indoctrinating them. I tell myself there is nothing wrong w/ expecting children to show gratitude for a meal and learn to show some respect. Otherwise I couldn't do it.
AntaNce
It's good you CAN perceive it from 'outside'. Glad for you. Sad for these kids.
ThrobbinHoodz
Cool list @op. Cool floofs too!
Calicious
Gracias
DeVermisMysteriis
I mentioned this on another post, but the most disturbing documentary I've seen is The Bridge. About people who have jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge. Includes footage of jumpers and interviews with survivors.
Calicious
Is there a cult or religious element? If not, I'm not sure the relevance here.
DeVermisMysteriis
Nope, just thought it might be interesting to those who enjoy documentaries. I know it's completely out of left field and totally insane for me to think that. I only hope you can forgive me for soiling your post.
Calicious
guitarfourtysix
Yeah, it's on YouTube. There is another one about the "Suicide Forrest" in Japan. It's the one where they are filming on location with one of the caretakers. It's got the same solemn vibe.
TexMexHex
#5 the audio recording of the mass suicide is one of the most horrific things i have ever experienced.
ThatuldoPig
The podcast martyr made did an amazing 6 part series about the whole history of Jim Jones, the peoples church, and a great look at the state of the u.s. when it happened. Super informative and somehow makes the whole thing even crazier. It's called God's socialists
Centroid
Approx. 1500 cultists (1/3 children) went to Guyana. Just shy of 1k died after drinking cyanide laced flavor-aid (don’t drink the kool-aid) either voluntarily or at gunpoint, the rest fled into the jungle. Prior to this they murdered visiting/investigating US Congressmen Leo Ryan and the news crew with him (concerned constituents wrote him about their family). The mass suicide was the largest recorded loss of US civilian life in a single mass casualty event until 9/11. There will not be a quiz.
Calicious
But I studied so hard. What do I do with all my notes? Will this be on the final?
tinydog
I gave that a listen s few years ago. Disturbing.
3RsReadingRitingRithmatic
Its one of those audios you kind of wish you didn't hear. I'm thankful the toolbox killers audio has never and hopefully never gets fully released.
Isthe4thtimethecharm
Is that the guy that kid napped and raped little girls for days with his girlfriend? If so, I heard part of that and it was horrible.
3RsReadingRitingRithmatic
This was 2 dudes that kidnapped, raped, and tortured teenager girls with tools you could find in a toolbox, they took pictures and recorded some of their crimes. There's footage outside the courtroom where people sprinted out in disgust.
Isthe4thtimethecharm
One I was thinking of might have been toybox killer. He would play a recording for his victims of what he had planned. Man, it was horrible, and I didn't even get that far in.
TexMexHex
Oh shit. Toolbox. That would give anyone instant pstd
3RsReadingRitingRithmatic
I read the transcript, it's brutal. The jury and people in that court room must have lived a hard life. But I agree with the lawyers, it needed to be heard by someone.
AntiProtonBoy
Just reading about it on Wikipedia makes me feel depressed.
BarnyShark
Samples from that were used in (and the event, overall was part of the inspiration for) the Mars Volta's album "Bedlam in Goliath". It's my favorite of their albums because the drummer on it (Thomas Pridgen) is an absolute monster on drums, and the entire album just keeps the apeshit/batshit knobs cranked, no slow jams.
everdaynormalguy
Samples are also used on Lamb of God song on the album Sacrament "mother mother mother please, mother please" is in the song. I can't recall what song specifically
MyRespectableAlterEgo
As a drummer, Thomas Pridgen is one of the greats of our time - sadly I just can’t get into The Mars Volta despite how obviously talented they are.
BarnyShark
They're not for everybody. If I recall correctly, the Pitchfork review of that album was like a 4 out of 10 and they called it something like "music for the guy noodling around on a green Ibanez at the Guitar Center." And, well, I, uh, I'm pretty much the guy noodling around on a green Ibanez at the Guitar Center lol
MyRespectableAlterEgo
Lmao that’s a review that paints a picture and it is uncanny - that writer had fun with that. I enjoyed Frances The Mute, but not enough to revisit regularly… I just watch Pridgen’s Zildjian Lounge sets instead and get my fix that way
BarnyShark
Right on. I'll have to check out the Zildjian Lounge stuff, I enjoy a good overhead drum cam vid every once in a while.
DrMissAnonymous
Oh man that’s a great band; off the walls
IwishKimPinewasmygirlfriend
Another song which uses samples from cult leaders is Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled by Porcupine Tree
Pandab13r
That's the cult where the saying "drink the kool aid" comes from, right?
rshini
yep, though in reality most of the drinkers were not willing, they were forced at gunpoint to drink the flavor-aide or to make their children drink it.
kodiak931155
How much do we "know" and how much are we guessing?
RacecarIsRacecarBackwards
They had also "practiced" this multiple times before, when they were given drinks that hadn't been poisoned. So they didn't really expect it to be real this time.
TheoryOfRelativeTea
I think some people fled while it was happening or hid and survived so they told authorities later.
DickWarlock89
Yep but the cheap skate didn't even splash out for the real thing and they had some generic stuff instead
rbudrick
Flavor-aid was competitor, not generic.
asm80dfa8sdfj
It's basically generic. It definitely tastes generic.
ElroydIsGone
Not THAT particular time, maybe...
Calicious
straight up budget knock offs are classified as generic in most people's books.
rbudrick
Gonna disagree with you there. Just because you feel a brand is a "straight up budget knock off," it doesn't mean it is. Generic isn't a state of mind.
paeches
By this logic, Pepsi is generic.
BenderRodriguz1010
There's always a ma being eaten by a bear.
Quizz25S
Isn't that just The Revenant?
BigTex1
There’s always the recording of the guy’s last breaths that died from being stuck upside down in nutty putty cave.
BenderRodriguz1010
BigTex1
You can search for the recording on your own if you care to, but here’s an overview of the event: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutty_Putty_Cave
BenderRodriguz1010
RoyalWithChz
Dude. That story fucking haunts me. It’s seriously so fucking sad. They almost saved him! I literally cannot imagine being stuck, completely unable to move, upside down in a cave. It makes me sick to think about.
TexMexHex
I have not watched/heard this
CuntingtonFuckley
The film is amazing. You don't hear the recording of the bear attack, you just see Werner Herzog listen to the recording and react to it
BenderRodriguz1010
Google it. There's a part where everything goes wrong.
StarscreamAndHutch
The park ranger pilot guy is the best part.
TexMexHex
Other than beong eaten by massive grizzly bears?
Dagordae
I mean, I’m not sure I would call that ‘going wrong’. That’s more ‘The obvious and expected result of the chosen actions’.