Buzz
In the past, we’ve curated numerous collections focusing on unusual religious rituals, obscure faiths, and peculiar cults. However, this list aims to address the absence of a dedicated compilation on truly bizarre religions. Here, we explore ten lesser-known religions that many of us are unaware of—and for good reason, as you’ll discover. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you’ve encountered any other strange religions or have personal experiences to recount.
10. Scientology
Scientology has appeared on previous lists, but omitting it here would undoubtedly lead to a flood of “where’s Scientology?” comments. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard (Elron) in 1952, the Church of Scientology evolved from his earlier self-help program, Dianetics. The church claims that its higher levels of initiation, known as OT levels, contain esoteric teachings that could be detrimental to those unprepared. These teachings remain confidential until members reach the required levels. Within the OT levels, Hubbard describes methods to undo the effects of past-life traumas, allegedly spanning millions of years. One of the most controversial teachings involves Xenu (or Xemu), an alien ruler of the “Galactic Confederacy.” According to Scientology, 75 million years ago, Xenu transported billions of beings to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 planes, placed them near volcanoes, and detonated hydrogen bombs. The resulting thetans, or spiritual entities, allegedly attached themselves to living humans and continue to do so. Advanced Scientologists focus on identifying and neutralizing these body thetans to mitigate their negative influence.
9. Creativity Movement
The Creativity Movement, previously called the World Church Of The Creator, is a white separatist group promoting a whites-only belief system known as Creativity. Ben Klassen, the founder, used the term to encompass all followers of this ideology. The word 'creator' does not signify a god but rather refers to white people themselves. Although the movement once included 'Church' in its name, it is fundamentally atheistic. Established in 1973 as the Church of the Creator by Klassen, the religion nearly faded after his death in 1993. However, it was revived three years later by Matthew F. Hale, who became its Pontifex Maximus (high priest). Hale’s leadership ended in January 2003 when he was imprisoned for conspiring with Anthony Evola, the movement’s security head and an FBI informant, to assassinate a federal judge.
8. Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth
Spelling clearly isn’t a priority in this religion! Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY) was established in 1981 by members of Psychic TV, Coil, Current 93, and other collaborators. This ever-changing network functions as a loosely connected alliance, blending artistic collaboration with magical practice. TOPY is committed to exploring magical ideas without relying on mysticism or deity worship. The group emphasizes the psychic and magical potential of the human mind, particularly in connection with “guilt-free sexuality.” Over the years, TOPY has significantly influenced the underground Chaos magic community and broader Western occult traditions. Their work spans both Left-hand and Right-hand path magick, psychology, art, music, and various other media. Key influences on TOPY include Aleister Crowley
7. Nation of Yahweh
The Nation of Yahweh is a primarily African-American religious movement and one of the most contentious branches of the Black Hebrew Israelites. Founded in 1979 in Miami by Hulon Mitchell, Jr., who adopted the name Yahweh ben Yahweh, the group aims to return African Americans—whom they consider the true Israelites—to Israel. Their beliefs diverge from mainstream Christianity and Judaism, as they regard Yahweh ben Yahweh as the Son of God. This sets them apart from other Black Hebrew Israelite groups. The organization has faced significant controversy due to its founder’s legal troubles and accusations of being a black supremacist cult by the Southern Poverty Law Center and The Miami Herald. The SPLC has labeled their beliefs as racist, citing their view that blacks are “the true Jews” and whites are “white devils.” They also allege that the group believes Yahweh ben Yahweh has a Messianic role to eliminate whites, echoing ideologies similar to the Christian Identity movement.
6. The Church of All Worlds
The Church of All Worlds, a neo-pagan faith established in 1962 by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and his spouse, Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, originated from a close-knit group of friends and partners. Their inspiration stemmed partly from a fictional religion depicted in Robert A. Heinlein’s science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land. The church’s beliefs incorporate science fiction elements and venerate “Gaea,” the Earth Mother Goddess, alongside the Father God, as well as Faeries and deities from various pantheons. Many of their rituals honor the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. Staying true to his tradition of drawing from fiction, Zell-Ravenheart later founded The Grey School of Wizardry, inspired in part by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter series.
5. Universe People
The Universe People, also known as the Cosmic People of Light Powers (Czech: Vesmírní lidé sil sv?tla), is a Czech religious movement led by Ivo A. Benda. Their beliefs revolve around extraterrestrial civilizations that have allegedly communicated with Benda and other “contacters” telepathically since October 1997, later progressing to direct contact. Benda claims these civilizations operate a fleet of spaceships, commanded by Ashtar Sheran, orbiting Earth. They monitor and assist the virtuous, preparing to transport their followers to another dimension. The teachings of the Universe People blend ufology (acknowledging other “contacters,” though often discrediting them later as misled or deceitful), Christianity (viewing Jesus as a “fine-vibrations” entity), and conspiracy theories (warning of evil forces planning to microchip the population).
4. Jediism
George Lucas’s Star Wars has amassed millions of fans and even inspired a quasi-religion—Jediism. While most are familiar with the Jedi’s core principles from the films—such as the light side, dark side, and the Force that connects the universe—some have adopted these beliefs in real life. The Texas-based “Temple of the Jedi Order” lacks a central structure or official doctrine, but Jediism is generally nontheistic and focused on doing good. Each Jedi defines what constitutes “good,” as there is no universal moral standard. However, followers adhere to a general code known as “The 16 Teachings of the Jedi.” Practitioners view the Force as a positive energy in the world, though they dismiss the literal existence of Darth Vader, Jawas, Tatooine, or the ability to manipulate objects with the Force. They don’t consider Star Wars elements factual but see the Force as a spiritual or philosophical guide. This unique blend of fictional values from Star Wars and influences from Asian religions like Buddhism and Taoism makes Jediism one of the most unusual belief systems.
3. Nuwaubianism
Nuwaubianism encompasses the doctrines and teachings of Dwight York’s followers. Originating as a Black Muslim group in New York during the 1970s, the Nuwaubians have undergone numerous transformations. In 1993, they established a headquarters in Putnam County, Georgia, which they later abandoned. Despite York’s imprisonment for money laundering and child molestation, Nuwaubianism persists. York crafted Nuwaubianism by blending diverse influences, including Theosophy-inspired New Age movements like Astara, the Rosicrucians, Freemasonry, the Shriners, the Moorish Science Temple of America, reinterpreted Christianity and Islam, the Qadiani cult of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Rashad Khalifa’s numerology, and Zecharia Sitchin’s ancient astronaut theories. One Nuwaubian myth claims white people were created as a race of warriors to serve blacks, but this plan failed. Below are some of their more unconventional beliefs:
1. Burying the afterbirth is crucial to prevent Satan from duplicating the newborn. 2. Some aborted fetuses survive and live in sewers, organizing to eventually dominate the world. 3. Humans were once symmetrical and ambidextrous until a meteorite tilted Earth’s axis, causing handedness and shifting the heart off-center. 4. Everyone has seven clones living in different parts of the world. 5. Women existed for generations before genetically engineering men. 6. Homo sapiens resulted from cloning experiments on Mars using Homo erectus. 7. Nikola Tesla originated from Venus. 8. The Illuminati raised Satan’s son, born on June 6, 1966, at the Dakota House in New York to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The Pope attended the birth, performing necromantic rituals, and Richard Nixon raised the child, who now resides in Belgium, connected to a computer called “The Beast 3M” or “3666.”
The Nuwaubians constructed a city in Putnam County, Georgia, modeled after Ancient Egyptian architecture (pictured above). It has since been demolished.
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1. The Church of Euthanasia
The Church of Euthanasia (CoE), founded by Reverend Chris Korda (pictured above) in Boston, Massachusetts, is a political organization dedicated to addressing Earth’s overpopulation crisis. According to their website, the CoE is “a non-profit educational foundation committed to restoring the balance between humans and other species.” The group employs sermons, music, culture jamming, provocative stunts, and direct action, often laced with satire and dark humor, to draw attention to unsustainable population growth. Known for clashing with Pro-life Christian activists, the CoE’s core commandment is “Thou shalt not procreate.” Their philosophy rests on four pillars: suicide, abortion, cannibalism (“limited to consuming the already deceased”), and sodomy (“any non-procreative sexual act”). Their slogans, such as “Save the Planet, Kill Yourself,” “Six Billion Humans Can’t Be Wrong,” and “Eat a Queer Fetus for Jesus,” are designed to provoke and unsettle opponents of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
1. Prince Philip Movement
The Prince Philip Movement is a cargo cult practiced by the Yaohnanen tribe on Tanna Island in Vanuatu. The tribe believes Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is a divine figure—the pale-skinned son of a mountain spirit and brother of John Frum. According to their legends, this son journeyed across the seas, married a powerful woman, and would eventually return. The Yaohnanen observed the reverence colonial officials showed toward Queen Elizabeth II and concluded her husband must be the legendary figure. The cult likely emerged in the 1950s or 1960s and gained momentum after the royal couple’s 1974 visit to Vanuatu, where villagers glimpsed Prince Philip from a distance. Aware of the movement, Prince Philip exchanged gifts with its leaders and even met with them.
