The Brethren, a secretive Christian sect,sometimes called the Exclusive Brethren or Plymouth Brethren Christian Church that’s been around since the 1800s but feels like it’s stuck in a time warp. With a global reach and a knack for staying under the radar, they’ve got a reputation for strict rules, political meddling, and some seriously unsettling vibes. So, what’s the deal with the Brethren, and why are they still stirring whispers in the shadows? Let’s dive into this 20-minute tale of faith, fear, and forbidden tech, step by quiet step.

Astrum Argenteum, a magical order founded by the infamous Aleister Crowley that’s been weaving spells and mysteries for over a century.

Superior Universal Alignment (SUA) is a Brazilian new religious cult founded in 1981 by Maria Aparecida Oliveira (known as “Mada” or “Mother of the Stars”). It blended apocalyptic prophecy, UFO beliefs, and strict esoteric doctrines.

Mada claimed to receive telepathic messages from extraterrestrial beings, particularly a figure called “Mastro”, who warned that the world would end in May 1986. According to her teachings, only faithful followers of SUA—who strictly obeyed her rules—would be saved and taken to another planet. Her doctrine also included a particularly disturbing belief: that children born after 1981 were “evil” and should be rejected or eliminated, as they allegedly lacked “cosmic alignment.”

Happy Science (Kōfuku no Kagaku) is a Japanese new religious movement founded in 1986 by Ryuho Okawa. It positions itself as a global spiritual organization that blends elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and New Age philosophy, while centering on Okawa’s role as a spiritual leader and claimed incarnation of a supreme cosmic being. The group teaches that happiness can be achieved through self-reflection, study of Okawa’s writings, and living according to universal spiritual laws.

The Esoteric Order of Dagon (EOD) is a fictional secret cult created by American writer H. P. Lovecraft. It first appears in his 1931 novella The Shadow over Innsmouth. In Lovecraft’s mythos, the EOD is a religious organization based in the decaying seaport town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts, and is devoted to the worship of ancient sea deities, primarily Dagon and Cthulhu.