Buzz
California has earned a reputation for hosting an unusually high concentration of cults and dubious religious groups. Contributing factors might include the absence of a dominant Protestant framework, an economy fueled by speculative ventures and frequent business failures, a diverse and transient population in a culturally undefined landscape, and even the intoxicating influence of the state's climate.
Among the most infamous cults in California are Heaven’s Gate, the People’s Temple led by David Koresh, and the notorious Manson Family.
10. Children Of God
The Children of God cult was established by David Brandt Berg, blending Christian teachings with unconventional scriptural interpretations, angelic trance channeling, and a strong undercurrent of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
Previously, he established a branch of the Teen Challenge youth ministry known as Light Club, aiming to attract young hippies to religious sermons by offering rock music performances and complimentary peanut butter sandwiches.
In 1969, he experienced a vision predicting that California would be struck by an earthquake and submerged into the ocean. He guided his followers across the American Southwest for eight months, during which they rebranded themselves as the Children of God.
The group embraced unconventional and eccentric beliefs. Some were relatively benign, such as the idea that hell did not exist and all humanity would ultimately be redeemed by Jesus Christ.
Other beliefs were more controversial, including the idea that sexual activity and masturbation were divine gifts, and members were encouraged to fantasize about Jesus during masturbation. This emphasis on sexual liberation led to extreme practices like pedophilia and the infamous recruitment tactics of “flirty fishing” and “love bombing.”
Berg adopted numerous aliases, including Moses David, Mo, King David, Father David, Chairman Mo, David Fontaine, Dad, and Grandpa. He was often portrayed in evangelical materials as a lion-like cartoon figure, with his photos altered to include lion features. This imagery likely aimed to link Berg to Jesus (referred to as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah) and possibly to mask his advancing age.
Berg’s theological views and approach were heavily influenced by the apocalyptic traditions of Adventist preaching, shaped by his grandfather’s affiliation with the separatist Disciples of Christ church. He frequently made inaccurate predictions, such as the claim that Comet Kohoutek would wreak havoc on Earth in 1974. Additionally, he prophesied that a socialist leader from Egypt would dominate the world by 1986, that Armageddon would occur in the late 1980s, and that Jesus would return in 1993.
Among the most notable former members of the cult is actor Joaquin Phoenix, whose family traveled extensively with the group across South America. Berg passed away in 1994, and the cult is now recognized as Family International. Karen Zerby, the current leader as of 2016, has faced allegations of sexually abusing children.
9. The Source Family
Jim Baker, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader and alleged bank robber known as Father Yod or Ya Ho Wha, utilized his popular health food restaurant as a platform to propagate his cult. He drew in young followers with enticing doctrines, including the belief that marijuana-enhanced sexual experiences were the true path to spiritual awakening.
Baker, a former Marine and jujitsu specialist, relocated to Los Angeles with aspirations of auditioning for the role of Tarzan. He became immersed in the mystical teachings of the Philosophical Research Society and embraced an early hippie lifestyle. He initially opened a sandal shop, followed by two health food restaurants.
In 1969, Baker launched The Source, a health food restaurant, around the same time he became influenced by Sikh kundalini expert Yogi Bhajan. Baker quickly began hosting meditation sessions at his restaurant and formulating his own spiritual doctrines. He gathered a group of followers and set up a commune at Chandler Mansion, referred to as the Mother House.
His followers wore white robes and adhered to a strict spiritual routine that included breathing exercises, cold showers, shifting gender roles, yoga, home births, chanting the tetragrammaton, rituals to suppress ego, and tantric practices. They were recognized for their meticulous hygiene, economic independence, strong work ethic, and apparent lack of interest in converting others.
The cult even had its own psychedelic rock band, Ya Ho Wha 13, which produced nine albums. While 65 albums featuring improvisations by cult members were recorded, the most notable tracks include Baker delivering sermons with phrases like “die to live again” and “I can be you and you can be me—ultimate orgasm we will see!”
In 1998, these albums were reissued in a box set by a Japanese label. The music reveals a self-aware, ironic humor that is uncommon in most other cults.
The Source Family faced increasing social backlash following the Manson Family murders. After leaving the restaurant in 1974, Baker traveled the world with a group of followers in an unsuccessful attempt to find a new base for the group.
The next year, Baker returned to San Francisco and tragically died after guiding some of his followers to a cliff and attempting to use a hang glider he had no experience with. Despite this, some devotees still believe in his spiritual abilities even four decades later. One follower claimed, “It may sound unbelievable, but I witnessed lightning bolts emanating from his ears.”
8. Symbionese Liberation Army
Donald DeFreeze, an escaped convict also known as General Field Marshall Cinque Mtume, headed this politically motivated cult of Berkeley radicals, which drew inspiration from communist ideologies and South American revolutionary theories. The group originated from the Black Cultural Association, a collective of black inmates active in Vacaville Prison.
The group initially started as an initiative where white Berkeley students visited inmates to teach them about political science, black sociology, and African heritage. Gradually, they grew more radical and politically aggressive. DeFreeze created a breakaway faction called Unisight, drawing in student radicals and eventually escaping prison in 1973.
DeFreeze and his followers later established the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), aiming to dismantle racism, monogamy, the prison system, and capitalist structures. Their name, inspired by the term “symbiosis,” symbolized a unified alliance of diverse classes and races.
The SLA adopted a seven-headed cobra as their emblem and pledged to destroy “the fascist insect that preys on the life of the people.” They soon began conducting military-style training in the Berkeley Hills.
Influenced by French Marxist writer Regis Debray’s urban propaganda theory, they believed targeted acts of violence would garner media coverage and public backing. Their goal was to establish autonomous territories for minority communities across the US.
After relocating to a safe house in Concord, their lifestyle revolved around political indoctrination, military exercises, and unrestricted sexual practices. In November 1973, they assassinated Oakland school superintendent Marcus Foster, who had backed a contentious student ID program. The following year, they gained notoriety by abducting Patty Hearst, who later joined their ranks.
LAPD SWAT teams eliminated DeFreeze and five of his followers during a raid on a safe house in Compton. Hearst’s father eventually retracted his $50,000 reward for her return as it became evident that she had aligned herself with the group and had no intention of leaving. The group disbanded after a bank robbery in Carmichael, California, and the remaining members were apprehended and convicted on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.
7. The Blackburn Cult
The Blackburn cult, also known as the Divine Order of the Royal Arms of the Great Eleven, built its belief system on a single verse from Revelation: “And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”
May Otis Blackburn, aged 60, and her daughter Ruth Wieland Rickenbaugh Rizzio declared themselves to be these witnesses. They claimed to communicate with the angels Gabriel and Michael, who instructed them to isolate themselves from the world for three years and compose a book titled The Great Sixth Seal, which would unveil the world’s hidden truths.
The book also pledged to disclose “lost measurements” that would lead to the discovery of all the world’s gold and oil reserves, allegedly stolen from Noah by his son Ham. The duo secured a $40,000 loan from the naive son of an oil tycoon in exchange for these so-called “lost measurements.”
The women used the funds to establish the Santa Susana Knolls community in Simi Valley, which featured a dozen cabins and a sealed temple awaiting Christ’s return. While followers worked at a nearby tomato-packing facility, their earnings were collected by Blackburn and her husband.
The cult’s priestesses gathered followers in a natural clearing to sacrifice mules, and forest rangers reported sightings of them dancing nude in the woods. They also constructed a brick oven to “bake” a disciple named Florence Turner, supposedly to heal her “blood illness,” but she passed away two days later.
Eventually, the oil heir who lost his fortune had Mrs. Blackburn arrested on charges of grand theft. Other former cult members soon came forward with grievances. Police also investigated the discovery of the body of 16-year-old Willa Rhodes.
The Rhodes family were devoted followers of the Blackburn cult. Their daughter Willa, a priestess known as the Tree of Life, died from a tooth infection in 1925. Following Blackburn’s instructions, her body was placed in a bathtub with ice, salt, and spices, with the promise that she would be resurrected in 1,260 days.
Blackburn was eventually convicted on eight counts of grand theft but was later released on $10,000 bail. The group relocated to Lake Tahoe and was never heard from again.
6. Mankind United
Arthur Bell established Mankind United during the Great Depression, promoting the belief that a secret cabal of rulers and financiers controlled and manipulated the world. Drawing from older philosophies like Theosophy, Bell asserted that a covert group of sponsors was actively opposing this global conspiracy of enslavement.
Once the sponsors revealed themselves, they would establish a utopia featuring universal employment, a reduced workweek, a credit-based economy, and a constructed universal language. Bell proclaimed that the sponsors would only emerge when 200 million people embraced the Mankind United vision.
Mankind United peaked in 1939 with a few thousand members. Bell boasted of his ability to be in multiple locations simultaneously and claimed to possess ray guns capable of dislodging eyeballs from miles away.
In truth, Bell exploited his followers for financial gain, living in opulent homes and frequenting upscale bars and clubs. Meanwhile, cult members toiled long hours in hotels, ranches, and shops owned by the group, earning meager wages.
The book Mankind United, published between 1936 and 1938, served as the group’s sacred scripture. It outlined the hidden rulers’ plan, which included 40,000 principalities, one billion enslaved individuals, and the eradication of the world’s educated and religious populations. Bell asserted that only by Christians embracing the Mankind United vision could this catastrophe be prevented.
During World War II, Mankind United rebranded as the Church of the Golden Rule to evade taxes. The original group dissolved when Bell departed in 1951 after legal disputes with disenchanted former members and eventual financial collapse.
A small core of about 100 members persisted, relocating to Palomarin Ranch near Bolinas in Marin County. The ranch’s value soared, leading to its purchase by the federal government in 1962. The cult then acquired the famed Ridgewood Ranch, home of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit, where they remain to this day.
5. Aggressive Christianity
Aggressive Christianity was established in 1981 as Free Love Ministries by Jim and Lila Green. Previously, they had been part of the Bear Tribe, a group that aimed to adopt a Native American way of life. While searching for land in Montana for the tribe, they were picked up by a driver who shared his Christian beliefs, leading them to “feel the presence of Jesus calling them.”
After attending a church in Kentucky, conducting missionary work in Central America, and working at a Salvation Army shelter in Miami, they became disenchanted with the “corruption” they perceived in other churches and decided to establish their own in Sacramento.
By 1984, their group had grown to about 50 members, living in four communal houses under the church’s guidance. Their theology was intensely militant, and their monthly publication, Battle Cry: Aggressive Christianity, was filled with imagery of spiritual warfare against demonic forces.
They also hosted a local radio show, urging Christians to enlist in God’s army to combat the demons behind global evils, which they identified as karate, homosexuality, psychoanalysis, and fairy tales.
The radio station eventually discontinued the broadcast as the content grew increasingly alarming. Station head Tom Wallace remarked:
Essentially, Green claimed that every problem was governed by a demon. For instance, colds were caused by a cold demon. He asserted that deliverance could only be achieved by attending his services. He also taught that Christians could be possessed by demons. We were worried that many might be misled into believing that the sole solution was to turn to Green, fostering a Jim Jones–like dependency on him. We didn’t want to be linked to such a cult-like group.
The group labels their living quarters as barracks and assigns military ranks and uniforms to members. The Greens initially held the rank of colonels before being promoted to brigadier generals of Aggressive Christianity. Their unconventional beliefs lean toward Gnosticism, emphasizing a cosmic battle where God and Satan vie to fill human vessels with their respective wills.
They also preach that a group known as the Manifest Sons of God, Man-Child Company, or the Overcomers will separate from the church, achieve sinless perfection and divine powers through devotion to Christ, and ultimately defeat Satan and death.
4. Hua Zang Si
The International Art Museum of America in San Francisco opened in 2011, but it had already garnered media attention for its connection to Hua Zang Si, an obscure Buddhist sect based in the former St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The building, deconsecrated in 1992, was slated for conversion into condos before being acquired and renovated by the United International World Buddhism Association.
Hua Zang Si is headed by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha III, born in China’s Sichuan province and originally named Wan Ko Yee or Yi Yungao. His followers regard him as the third reincarnation of the original Buddha.
However, he is also viewed with suspicion due to his teachings diverging from those of other enlightened figures. Some associate him with the growing number of tulkus (“living Buddhas”), whose enlightenment certifications are allegedly obtained through bribing religious authorities.
Followers of His Holiness depict a contrasting narrative:
Both human and non-human entities have shown reverence to H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, attending His discourses on dharma. From sentient beings to inanimate objects, including birds, aquatic and land animals, flora, and even tiles and stones, all have demonstrated respect for His teachings, either through words or actions. A disciple, instructed by His Holiness on dharma transmission, witnessed a miraculous event where the deceased body of a person, who received dharma from this disciple, emitted light. Additionally, the heavens responded with thunder to the voice of His Holiness.
The museum primarily features artworks by Dorje Chang Buddha, accompanied by reverential descriptions. It showcases a range of His Holiness's mystical and vibrant art pieces, interspersed with select works by other artists to highlight diversity.
In China, His Holiness faces legal challenges. A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, stated: “Since 1984, Yi and his associates have engaged in fraudulent activities, resulting in a loss of CNY 60.8 million ($7.32 million).”
An international arrest warrant was issued against Him, which was later dismissed by Interpol. His legal representative successfully contended that the charges were politically motivated by the Chinese government.
3. Berkeley’s Psychic Cults
Founded in 1973 by Lewis Bostwick, the Church of Divine Man and its affiliate, the Berkeley Psychic Institute, uphold a unique creed: “We believe in boundless space, eternal endurance, infinite acceptance, perpetual patience, and endless understanding.”
Both organizations have faced accusations of being cults. A journalist from SFGate recounted his experience at the Berkeley Psychic Institute, where he sought aura healing but was instead offered a “male healing session” involving an unusual request to have his “balls drained.” He later experienced stomach pains and was abruptly escorted out, told that something had gone awry.
Former followers allege that Bostwick borrowed his concepts from Scientology’s Dianetics following a dispute with L. Ron Hubbard. Members undergo extensive “clairvoyant training,” where they are instructed to follow commands without questioning.
Another peculiar group in the area is the Spiritual Rights Foundation, established by William Baldwin, also known as Reverend Bill. Drawing inspiration from 18th-century mystic Emanuel Swedenborg and fraudulent psychic Marc Reymont, Baldwin’s cult blends fundamentalist Christianity with New Age ideologies.
A former member characterized the group’s philosophy as “fear God and sense your chakra.” Leaders conduct sessions on energy healing, meditation, and trance hypnotherapy, while members are required to dedicate over 40 hours weekly to the group and contribute up to 80 percent of their earnings.
Baldwin asserted that every individual is enveloped by an aura influencing behavior, health, and success. This aura could be disturbed by “foreign energy” originating from others, familial history, or the lingering spirits of deceased relatives. An article outlined the church’s hierarchy as: “God. Women. Children. Dogs. Men.”
Physical embraces were discouraged to prevent energy exchange, and intimate relationships were closely regulated. Despite this, Baldwin labeled himself a “spiritual pimp,” exploiting female followers while belittling the men.
2. Fellowship Of Friends
Robert Burton, a former elementary school teacher, pursued enlightenment through Quakerism and philosophy before becoming captivated by the Fourth Way teachings of early 20th-century Russian mystics George Gurdjieff and Peter Ouspensky. The Fourth Way posits that most humans are spiritually dormant and can only awaken through self-remembering and suppressing negative emotions.
In 1970, Burton started gathering followers, proclaiming himself a “man No.5,” someone with superior emotional and intellectual capacities compared to ordinary individuals. His group, formally established in 1971 as the Fellowship of Friends, acquired land in California’s Yuba County to start a winery.
The property housed numerous church members, with additional centers spread across the US, Europe, and Latin America. The cult sustains itself through member tithes and donations of fine art, believed to aid in the practice of self-remembering.
Burton, referred to as “the Teacher,” enforces rigid behavioral guidelines, prohibiting activities like swimming, joking, and smoking. In a 1981 interview, when questioned if he was Jesus Christ, Burton responded, “Thou sayest it,” echoing Jesus’ reply to Pontius Pilate.
Burton instructed his followers that their community would act as an ark, shielding them from an impending catastrophe that would destroy the outside world. He declared himself an angel in human form, communicating with 44 other angels, including figures like Benjamin Franklin and Jesus Christ.
Despite prohibiting homosexuality within the community until 1994, Burton exploited young male members sexually. A 1997 lawsuit alleged: “Burton openly discussed his sexuality through jokes at all-male gatherings. [ . . . ] He bragged that ‘100 boys would not be enough [to satisfy his desires].’ ”
The cult’s Renaissance winery and vineyards have crafted award-winning wines, once served to Ronald Reagan and featured at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s restaurant in San Francisco. However, their religious background has hindered wine promotion and sparked tax conflicts with local authorities.
In 2012, DEA agents raided several cult locations, suspecting members were selling marijuana to fund the church, a claim the Fellowship of Friends vehemently denied.
1. Marcus Wesson Cult
While we’ve previously addressed the sickness and tragedy within the Wesson family, the strange pseudo-religious beliefs that unified them remain unexplored. Marcus Wesson believed he was the founder of a new faith blending Christianity with vampire mythology.
He authored a religious manuscript titled In the Light of the Light for the Dark, claiming that he and his family were vampires and asserting that “incest . . . leads to the perfection of one’s self.”
Although raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, he later asserted that God communicated through him and that the End Times were imminent. He moved in with an older woman in San Jose, fathered a child with her, and subsequently married her 15-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.
Over time, he fathered 17 children with Elizabeth and her sister. The family transformed into a secluded cult centered on homeschooling, physical discipline, and sexual exploitation.
Wesson segregated brothers from sisters, mandating that the girls wear headscarves and long skirts. He began sexually abusing them as early as age eight, justifying his actions by stating, “Jesus was a womanizer, and God’s people are dwindling. We must protect God’s children and produce more for the Lord.”
He conducted home weddings with several of his daughters and nieces, compelling each girl to recite vows with her hand on a Bible in the bedroom. He presented each with a marital necklace and a gold ring.
Wesson’s obsession with vampirism led him to force his children to sleep in coffins he had gathered. He adopted the name “Je Vam Marc Sus Pire” and named one of his sons Jeva, blending “Jesus” and “vampire.” The cult disbanded when two nieces returned with relatives to reclaim their children.
Wesson remained composed during the confrontation, with some of his daughters vocally supporting him. However, when police arrived, he was found drenched in blood. Nine of his children had been killed, reportedly as part of a prearranged suicide agreement in the event that authorities attempted to dismantle the family.
