Exploring how cults form, why people join them, and what students can learn from history—and from The Giver.
Written by Teddy Grzybowski and Lillian Warner
Cults are often misunderstood and portrayed in dramatic ways in movies and television. Many people imagine mysterious groups performing strange rituals in the woods, but the reality is much deeper. Cults often involve manipulation, control, and a strong desire for power or belonging. In this article we will explore one example of a cult, as well as why cult leaders start cults and why people sometimes follow beliefs that seem extreme to outsiders.
Ant Hill Kids
The Ant Hill Kids began in 1977 when a man named Roch Thériault convinced a group of people to leave their jobs and families and move to a commune in Quebec, Canada to live in unity and freedom. He gave motivational speeches and described the commune as a place free of sin. Thériault and his followers were influenced by Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and held strong doomsday ideas.
Thériault believed he was a prophet and predicted that the apocalypse would come in February 1979. He also struggled with heavy alcohol use, and over time emotional harm and harsh treatment began to occur within the group. When February 1979 came and passed with no apocalypse, some members began questioning Thériault’s leadership. His explanation was that “Earth and God’s time are not parallel.”
To maintain control, he married several female members and had many children within the group. In total, he fathered more than 20 children with nine women. By the 1980s, the group had grown to nearly 40 members. Everyone was required to wear identical tunics to represent equality and devotion to the commune.
Over time, Thériault moved away from motivational speeches and became increasingly authoritarian. His rules grew more extreme. Members were not allowed to speak to each other when he was not present, and they needed his permission to have relationships. He punished members he believed were disobedient and claimed that God told him about their actions. When members expressed a desire to leave, they often faced harsh punishments.
As time went on, Thériault’s control became even more severe. Members were sometimes forced to perform painful or humiliating acts to show loyalty. He claimed these actions were meant to “purify” members and remove their sins through strict rituals.
Thériault also claimed to have healing powers and began performing amateur medical procedures on sick members despite having no medical training. These procedures were dangerous and often made people sicker. One woman named Solange Boilard complained of stomach pain, and Thériault attempted to treat her himself. She died the next day. After her death, Thériault claimed he had the power to resurrect people. When she did not revive after a ritual, the group buried her near the commune.
Thériault was not arrested until 1989. A woman named Gabrielle Lavallée was seriously injured and later required major medical treatment. She managed to escape and report the group to authorities. Thériault was arrested and charged with assault. Authorities had suspected problems at the commune for years because of the group’s unusual living conditions, but they could not investigate deeply because the group was registered as a church.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for assault and later pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Solange Boilard. His story ended in prison when he was found dead near his cell at Dorchester Penitentiary. He had been attacked by his cellmate, Matthew Gerrard MacDonald, who used a homemade weapon. MacDonald pleaded guilty, adding a life sentence to the one he was already serving.
The Psychology Behind Cults
One common question about cults is how they work. What makes people listen to extreme claims, and how can situations escalate so far? Much of this can be explained through psychology.
Cult leaders often recruit people who may be feeling vulnerable or searching for something in their lives. This might include people experiencing loneliness, an unhappy home life, or a strong desire for community, belonging, or religious meaning. During the 1970s and 1980s, many cult leaders recruited members at social gatherings or community events, looking for people who were searching for connection or direction in their lives.
Over time, leaders slowly increase their control. At first the group may seem welcoming and supportive. As members become more involved, the leader may begin creating stricter rules and separating members from outside influences such as friends and family. This gradual process can make it difficult for people to leave, even when they realize something is wrong.
By learning about groups like the Ant Hill Kids, we can better understand how to think critically, recognize warning signs of manipulation, and make safe choices in our own communities.
Editor’s Note: SAMS students recently read The Giver, a novel by Lois Lowry that explores a community that tries to create a perfect utopia. While the society in the book appears peaceful and orderly, it ultimately limits freedom and hides difficult truths. This article connects to that discussion by examining how real-world groups that promise a perfect community can sometimes create harmful or controlling environments instead.
