Cults and Extreme Belief
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. Each episode will take an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and get perspective from believers and leaders that are still inside.
Overview
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. Each episode will take an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and get perspective from believers and leaders that are still inside.
Episodes
1. NXIVM
As a recruiter for multi-level marketing self-help group NXIVM, Sarah Edmondson brought thousands of people to the organization. In October of 2017, she exposed the group as a destructive sex-cult and is now doing everything in her power to support the criminal prosecution of the cult's leader, Keith Raniere.
2. Jehovah's Witnesses
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.
3. Children of God
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 are banding together to address a suicide epidemic among fellow survivors.
Cast & Crew
Elizabeth Vargas
Herself
Teddy Hose
Himself
Stephen Kent
Himself
Samie Brosseau
Herself
