Applewhite

In March 1997, 39 people were found dead in a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. One man was responsible for these deaths, his name was Marshall Applewhite. Applewhite is one of many infamous people who have been leaders of the most controversial cults in history. He declared himself the reincarnation of a higher being like Christ. He founded Total Over comers Anonymous aka Heavens Gate in 1975. This cult is one of most legendary in U.S history.
Applewhite had strange beliefs and rules that set him apart from any other cult leader. He believed he was a messenger from the " evolutionary kingdom level above human." He said he was sent on a special mission and if people studied with him they too would be able to shed their human "containers" and evolve to this higher level above human. Applewhite had very strict rules for his followers. He required them to give up everything,which meant giving up family, friends, possessions and sex.This to me was probably his worst action. Stripping someone of their own identity and giving them a new one is cruel and inhuman. Though some societies in the world actually do just this, his way of doing it was extreme.
People like him take advantage of weaker people. This is the only reason I can understand why cults exist in the first place.