At the Sullivan Institute, psychotherapy became a potent form of social control.

Years after their leader’s death, Larouchies are still pushing their fascist politics.

A new book traces the language of brainwashing to a series of Cold War–era scares.

According to Amanda Montell’s new book, “Cultish,” the jargon and technical language of fanaticism is surprisingly common.

How a right-wing conspiracy blossomed in the pre-internet age

The women in her new novel confront abuse and grapple with faith.

A mysterious murder reveals the ways in which the video-sharing site has spread conspiracies of all kinds—very much including those created by rightwing supporters of President Trump.

How cults feed on American ideals, aspirations, and hypocrisies.

Millions of Americans are blindly devoted to their Dear Leader. What will it take for them to snap out of it?

Antelope townspeople cast a wary eye on red-clad newcomers

The Rajneesh "peace" force arrests an opponent in Antelope

The town's desperate bid to disincorporate ends in failure

The cult city's demise is inevitable.

The arming of the cult raises the specter of Jonestown

Orwell understood the limits of mind control

The Rajneesh cult’s wealth depends upon cheap labor.

Leaving Bhagwan's Buddhafield may not be all that easy

Rajneesh's dirty work was usually left to women.

Rajneesh’s far-flung empire is more material than spiritual.