Publication date October 25, 2023

Famous Cults Leaders (Female): The Dark Side of Charisma

The most prominent cults in history of the USA are ingrained in our cultural imagination. We are fascinated by how they originate and what is about their famous cults leaders. 

Leader of cults, social groups that are elucidated by their impressive religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or their most common interest in a specific goal, personality, and object. 

Let’s uncover the dark side of the charisma of the prominent cults in the US over the past 60 years under the notability of famous female cult leaders in the USA. 

Notable Cults in the US

There are numerous cults that existed in the USA 40 years ago but still, there are a lot presently operating and working around there. 

But when talking about prominent cults in history of the USA, we come across the most prominent female leaders such as Clementine Barnabet, Terry Lee Hoffman, Bonnie Nettles, Amy Carlson, Teal Swan, Ma Anand Sheela, and Ruth E. Norman.

1. Clementine Barnabet

Clementine Banabet attained infamy for her apparent involvement in a sequence of 35 murders in the USA with her actions being linked to the infamous Church of Sacrifice in Louisiana.

Clementine Barnabet

Source: Facebook

Banabet asserted that she possessed supernatural protection and powers, but her confession was met with scepticism because of its contradictory nature which left analysts suspicious about the veracity of her claims and assertions.

2. Terry Lee Hoffman

One of the other famous cults leaders was Terry Lee Hoffman who developed a keen interest in meditation, mind control, and metaphysics and established her own organization known as “Conscious Development of Body, Mind, and Soul.”

Terry Lee Hoffman

Source: TexasMonthly

After exploiting the beliefs of her followers, Hoffman marketed expensive handmade jewellery that presented them as defensive gems. She managed to gather a substantial following in Dallas, Texas, by trapping the people’s desire for spiritual enlightenment.

3. Bonnie Nettles

Bonnie Nettles played a crucial role in the formation of the notorious Heaven’s Gate cult close by Marshall Applewhite. 

The impacts surrounding their first encounter remain sceptical but their shared faith in supernatural secrets and the idea of a higher objective led them to specify and establish their cult.

Applewhite, specifically claimed that they had a direct connection and communication with extraterrestrial or supernatural beings.

4. Amy Carlson

Amy Carlson was another one of the famous cults leaders who founded the Galactic Federation of Light group and proclaimed herself to be a divine figure also known as Mother God.

Amy Carlson

Source: Independent

She embraced several conspiracy theories as part of their theological structure and the group attained attention in order to promote extremity beliefs and trust.

Unfortunately, Carlson was found dead in 2021 after she promoted colloidal silver as a cure for viruses. This adds to the controversy that surrounds her leadership.

5. Teal Swan

Teal Swan advanced to superiority as a self-proclaimed spiritual teacher on YouTube lured a considerable number of people. 

Teal Swan

Source: BBC News

As the debate considering her status as a cult leader endures, Teal Swan is known for her contentious beliefs and self-help teachings that offer recourses to conventional psychological care.

Her ideologies were so extreme that have garnered both criticism and support inside the spiritual community.

6. Ma Anand Sheela

Ma Anand Sheela served as the personal assistant to a spiritual leader named Rajneesh, also known as Osho. 

Ma Anand Sheela

Source: Dailybeast

She played a key role in founding the Rajneesh Peron commune in Oregan, United States which became embroiled in some criminal activities like poisoning and voter manipulation.

The conflicts that came to light between the local residents and commune, and with the authorities as well, provoked consequential media awareness and legal outcomes.

7. Ruth E. Norman

Ruth E. Norman was the co-founder of the Uranian Academy of Science which was committed to discovering psychic sensations and past life relapse.

Ruth E. Norman

Source: IMDB

Even after her husband died due to a mishap, she continued to spread her teachings, including her prophecies concerning the upcoming appearance of supernatural beings or extraterrestrials.

Unfortunately, Ruth E. Norman passed away before she witnessed the culmination of her prophecies.

These seven females were famous cults leaders in the USA who left an unforgettable mark on history, their actions and beliefs, fascinating their followers while stimulating controversy and tragedy at the same time.

The stories of their leaderships underline the potentially destructive and dangerous impacts and consequences that may arise from the influence and manipulation that has been wielded by charismatic individuals inside the domain of the cults.








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