The podcast discusses the toxic beliefs and practices of the 12 Tribes cult, including child abuse, biblical racism, and women's rights. It also explores the desperate situation faced by those who leave the cult and the tragic consequences of denying medical care, resulting in child deaths. The power structure within the cult and their successful restaurant business are also discussed, as well as their various businesses, financial setup, and potential violations of labor laws. Additionally, a lesser-known cult with strange rituals is explored, while promoting the hosts' other projects.
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Quick takeaways
Child abuse and racism are prevalent within the 12 Tribes cult.
Cult leadership protects abusers and covers up allegations of child sexual abuse.
Law enforcement struggles to hold cult members accountable due to their insular nature and lack of cooperation.
Deep dives
Child abuse and biblical racism within the 12 tribes cult
Within the 12 tribes cult, child abuse and racism are prevalent. The cult leader, Jean Spriggs, promotes severe forms of punishment for disobedience, including beatings and isolation. Children are often abused within the cult, and reports of sexual abuse are not taken seriously. Cult members are discouraged from seeking medical care, leading to the death of some children. Spriggs' racist beliefs are rooted in biblical interpretations, claiming that black people are descendants of Ham and are destined to be slaves. The cult enforces strict gender roles and bans co-ed education, leading to cases of bestiality among young members. Allegations of child sexual abuse are often covered up by the cult leadership.
Forced marriage and control over children
Cult members who report sexual abuse are often not believed and are punished. The cult leadership, rather than protecting children, protects the abusers. Parents are sometimes forced to hand over custody of their children to the cult, and young men accused of bestiality have been ordered to execute the animals involved. The cult imposes strict control, banning physical contact between males and females who are not married or related. Children are subjected to intense discipline and are often forced into labor. The cult's emphasis on obedience creates an environment conducive to predatory behavior.
Attempts to cover up abuse and lack of accountability
Cult members who abuse children are protected and often forgiven, while those who report abuse are ignored or blamed. Cult elders impede investigations and hide perpetrators from law enforcement. Reports of abuse are downplayed, and forgiveness is emphasized by the cult's representatives. The cult's cruelty towards children and its disregard for their well-being is evident in their handling of abuse allegations.
Legal challenges and continued harm to children
Law enforcement struggles to hold cult members accountable due to the cult's insular nature and lack of cooperation. Children within the cult continue to face abuse and harm, with little hope of intervention. The severe control, isolation, and manipulation within the 12 tribes cult contribute to an environment where abuse thrives and victims are silenced.
The 12 Tribes cult operated communes in multiple countries
By the early 2000s, the 12 Tribes cult had thousands of members and operated communes in 22 states and several other countries, such as England, Spain, Australia, and Germany. In Germany, they faced significant consequences when a reporter infiltrated one of their communes and captured on video 50 incidents of child abuse in just two days. This led to the seizure of 40 children and police raids on other communes in France. These prosecutions and raids, while disturbing, did not seriously harm the overall structure of the cult.
Financial operations and restrictive rules within the 12 Tribes cult
The 12 Tribes cult generated substantial revenue through businesses, particularly in the construction industry. Members were made to work long hours without pay. The money they earned was funneled back to the cult's headquarters, while the members themselves lived in meager conditions. To maintain control and maximize profits, the cult leader, Jean Spriggs, imposed even more stringent rules, banning various activities and tightening his grip on the followers. Over time, many members have left, and it remains uncertain how many remain in the cult today.