Stuff They Don't Want You To Know The Terrifying Tale of Aum Shinrikyo, Chapter Two: "Save The World By Ending It"
Jul 4, 2025
Gnomes Griffin, a super producer and roller derby enthusiast from Atlanta, dives deep into the dark evolution of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. The discussion unpacks cult leader Shoko Asahara's chilling transformation from spiritual guide to orchestrator of terror, culminating in the infamous Tokyo sarin gas attack. Listeners will learn about the psychological manipulation tactics used on followers, the cult's apocalyptic ideologies, and the unsettling aftermath of their violent rise, prompting a reflection on the dangers of radical beliefs and intended utopias.
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Consuming Leader's Fluids Ritual
- Followers believed consuming Asahara's bodily fluids could transfer his spiritual powers.
- This ritual echoed traditional symbolic practices like communion in Christianity.
Brutal Initiation Rites
- Followers endured extreme initiation rites including confinement in oxygen-limited boxes and physical abuse.
- One follower tied upside down died after refusing to be released as directed by Asahara.
Early Murders and Police Inaction
- Aum Shinrikyo committed horrific murders, including the brutal killing of lawyer Sakamoto Tsutsumi and his family.
- Authorities initially failed to act despite evidence, deepening the cult’s dangerous activities.