Many of the deaths of cult members have been the result of mass suicides ordered by the group leadership. It is believed that many cult memberships have been the result of mind control techniques. Having little self-will, they have been willing to follow any order from the leadership, even one leading to their destruction. One example of this mass suicide is that of the Heaven's Gate cult. The members were convinced by the leadership that they would be transported, at death, to a space ship where they would evolve to a higher level of existence.
One good example of the crime and punishment among cults is the story of Charles Manson. He is currently serving a large sentence in prison for the results of his "mind control techniques" that he practiced on his followers. He told them to and they committed or attempted to commit the murders. He supposedly never committed any murders but he is serving time. He has been tried for parole 9 times and failed each time because his crimes were so severe. Though at the time his followers thought that they were doing the right thing, according to the law, they weren't. In turn many of them are also serving time in prison.
| What is a Religious Cult? | The many meanings of the word "Cult" | Why are they formed? |
| Crime and Punishment among Religious Cults | Some Common Cults | My Source Page |