Plot Synopsis

Elizabeth Vargas, alongside former members of controversial organizations, goes on a search to uncover how these sects use their influence to prey upon people's desperation to create powerful and often destructive belief systems. Each one-hour episode of CULTS AND EXTREME BELIEF takes an immersive look at one currently active group through the eyes of past devotees and gets perspectives from believers and leaders that are still inside. The series premiere examines the timely topic of the "self-help" group NXIVM which has been catapulted into the spotlight with the recent arrest of its leader and a high-profile actress/member on charges of sex-trafficking and other crimes. The group also stands accused of drawing supporters down a path of destruction that includes near-starvation diets, forced branding, pseudo-slavery, and blackmail. Former members share harrowing experiences of manipulation and sexual violation, including Sarah Edmondson who sits down with Vargas to share new details of her ordeal inside the organization including being branded with a symbol that turned out to be the leader's initials. Additional organizations in Season 1 include Twelve Tribes, Sanctuary Church, United Nation of Islam, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witness and The Family.
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On Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Noon ET/PT, A&E premiered "The Survivors Speak (Part 2)," the season finale of CULTS AND EXTREME BELIEF. Former members of different groups meet to discuss their shared experiences with Elizabeth Vargas.