THE CULTS IN THE PAST

                                                                              ORDER OF THE SOLAR TEMPLE

Esoteric cult that tragically ended in mass destruction and loss of life

The Solar Temple Order, founded by Luc Jouret and Joseph "Jo" Di Mambo in 1984, was a group of 442 members from Switzerland, France, Canada, and Martinique. Jo Di Mambro, a member of the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC), was a key figure in the organization. In the 1980s, he collaborated with Joseph Di Mombro to establish the Solar Temple Order, which attracted hundreds of people to lectures and activities. However, the group initiated a series of suicide acts from 1994 to 1997, causing 74 fatalities. The group believed their deaths provided relief from the world's hypocrisy and oppression, and they believed they were moving to Sirius. In the late 1990s, the remaining members attempted another suicide, but were stopped.

Written by Andrea Ong

THE FAMILY CULTS IN AUSTRALIA

The Family cult, or the Great White Brotherhood was an Australian New Age Group established in the 1960s with a founder named Anne Hamilton-Byrne(Ori name Evelyn Grace Victoria Edwards).

This cult started because the founder wished to have a perfect family which is totally opposite to her childhood. At the beginning, Anne attended yoga class and opened her own yoga school. Anne’s students were obsessed with her so she started to grow this cult within the yoga followers. She also said that she could contact the dead and convince them to divorce and follow the cult.

In 1962, this cult recruited the first man, Dr. Rayna Johnson. This cult started to build a big family by stealing babies from innocent young mothers. The cult members were also convinced to give their new born baby to the founder. At last, the founder owned 28 children. Besides, this cult also reached above 500 members.

These 28 children lived a strict military routine everyday. They were given LSD drug injections so that they will be more obedient and easily get control. These children need to follow all the rules or they will get punished. They had been abused physically, psychologically and emotionally. The punishment usually conducted was to withhold food from the children and physically beat them. This awful condition kept going for 20 years.

This case was taken seriously by the police in 1987. The children were finally rescued after living in a terrible environment over a decade. However, the judgement was unfair in which the founder was only charged a 5000 Dollar fine and released to be free. After that, this cult disappeared from public’s view.

By Amanda Loh

AGHORI 

THE AGHORI SECT , originating from Baba Keenaram, a 17th-century ascetic, is a sacred site in Varanasi. They worship Shiva and Shakti, worshipping Mahakala and Kali, respectively. Found near cremation sites, they can also be found in remote areas like Himalayas caves, Bengal jungles, and Gujarat deserts. Aghoris follow Shiva's path since 5th century B.C., believing he resides in shmashana cremation grounds, immersing themselves in death-related environments. Aghori use human remains, including the skull, as a sign of their identity and use it as a bowl for consumption 

and sharing with animals like dogs and cows.

Aghoris engage in sexual intercourse with dead bodies for 

purity, fulfilling a deeper desire of the goddess Kali, and obtaining supernatural powers.

They believe this is a manifestation of their spirituality. Aghori heal through purification, believing they can transfer health and pollution away from patients through "transformative healing." Some Aghori scholarship claims sacrifice is necessary for successful healing, but these practices are in decline.

The Aghoris are a group of people from Varanasi, India, known for their philosophical concepts and rituals. They collect dead bodies floating on the holy Ganges and use them for various purposes, including feeding, altars, alcohol consumption, and jewelry. They also consume marijuana for a higher state of mind and religious practices. Despite their dark and mysterious ways, the Aghoris continue to be studied by photographers, journalists, and writers for insight into their mysterious and mysterious ways of life.

                                              By CHERLANIE THIEN

MALAYSIA CULT

SkY KiNgDoM

Sky Kingdom was a religious movement established in Besut, Terengganu that was created and led by Arrifin Mohammad also known as Ayah Pin who had no educational background and was born a Muslim in Kelantan . 

Ayah Pin claimed to be a reincarnated of revered religious figures like Shiva , Buddha , Jesus Christ and even the Islamic prophet, Mohammed. Due to Ayah Pin’s strong emphasis on the harmonies of interfaith religions made, he manipulated his followers' beliefs while gaining a diverse set of following since the declaration. There had been rumoured Ayah Pin visited Hindu temples and even welcomed a Christian group to join the cult making them think the cult is more powerful but ultimately revealing a darker side marked by manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. 

Besides that , some known structures, including a huge teapot and blue vase located in Hulu Besut have been idolised by the commune . Just like every cult, there are always bizarre rituals conducted where newcomers must be ensured to drink the holy water that comes out continuously from the massive vase. Other than that , Ayah Pin was led by his followers, then was put into a boat made from concrete where he remained there till the next day. 

The next thing we know, he was charged for belittling Islam ,spreading false teachings and threatening public peace under Syariah court. He pleaded guilty to the charge of insulting Islam and was jailed for 11 months, including a fine of RM 2900. Despite his arrest,the Sky Kingdom cult continued to grow and expand, where newcomers mostly came from university students and Orang Asli. In 2005 ,the commune was then demolished by the government of Malaysia. Arrifin was then pronounced dead due to several health complications at the home of his third wife after entering Malaysia from lying low in Thailand.

By AGNETTA JEAN