The Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker scandal erupted in the 1980s, centered on their televangelist empire, the PTL (Praise the Lord) Network. Jim Bakker was accused of financial misconduct, including the misuse of millions of dollars raised from devoted viewers for personal luxuries and an ambitious, unfinished Christian theme park, Heritage USA.
The scandal intensified with revelations of a 1980 encounter between Jim Bakker and Jessica Hahn, a church secretary, and hush money payments to keep the story quiet. Tammy Faye’s over-the-top persona and makeup became symbolic of the couple's excess. Jim Bakker was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 1989, serving five years in prison, while the spectacle of their downfall tarnished the reputation of televangelism.
Mother Teresa is a controversial spiritual figure due to criticisms of her missionary work and beliefs. While widely admired for aiding the poor in Kolkata, detractors argue that her focus on suffering glorified pain rather than alleviating it. Her Missionaries of Charity have been accused of providing inadequate medical care and prioritizing religious conversion over tangible help.
Critics like Christopher Hitchens have accused her of fostering a cult of suffering to align with Catholic doctrine rather than improving conditions for the destitute. Additionally, her acceptance of donations from questionable sources, such as dictators and fraudsters, raised ethical concerns. Despite these criticisms, many view her as a saintly figure devoted to serving the most marginalized.
Gilbert Deya is a Kenyan televangelist and self-proclaimed archbishop known for his "miracle baby" scandal. Based in the UK, Deya claimed to help infertile women conceive through divine intervention. However, investigations revealed that these so-called miracle babies were actually abducted or trafficked from Kenya.
Women in his congregation were told they were pregnant through prayer, then presented with babies after traveling to Kenya, often under dubious circumstances. Kenyan authorities accused Deya of child trafficking, and he was extradited from the UK in 2017 to face trial. The scandal shocked many, highlighting exploitation under the guise of faith, and Deya’s case remains a cautionary tale about the abuse of power in religious circles.
Jimmy Swaggart, a prominent televangelist in the 1980s, faced a major scandal that tarnished his ministry. Known for his fiery preaching and expansive television reach, Swaggart was exposed in 1988 for soliciting an escort in Louisiana. This revelation came after he had publicly criticized other televangelists for moral failings, creating a perception of hypocrisy.
The Assemblies of God, with which he was affiliated, suspended him from ministry, but Swaggart defied the suspension and returned to preaching, dramatically declaring, "I have sinned," in a tearful televised confession. A second scandal in 1991, involving another encounter, further damaged his reputation. Though he continues to preach, Swaggart’s influence never recovered to its former prominence.
The Catholic Church abuse scandals involve widespread allegations of abuse by clergy members, primarily against minors, and systemic cover-ups by Church authorities. Cases span decades and have been reported globally, with significant revelations emerging in the U.S., Ireland, Australia, and Germany. Victims accuse Church leaders of shielding perpetrators, relocating them to new parishes, and silencing survivors to avoid public scandal.
Investigations, such as the 2002 Boston Globe exposé, uncovered patterns of abuse and institutional negligence, prompting legal actions and financial settlements. Pope Francis and his predecessors have condemned the abuses and pledged reforms, but critics argue that efforts have been insufficient. The scandals have deeply shaken trust in the Church and led to declining membership in affected regions.
Warren Jeffs is the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), who is currently serving a life sentence for assault against a child. Jeffs was found guilty of these crimes in 2011 for engaging in child marriage himself as well as organizing them for other men in his religious group.
Before his arrest and conviction, Jeffs was part of the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list. Despite his incarceration, many members of the FLDS church still consider Jeffs the true leader of their organization.
Scientology has been involved in numerous high-profile legal battles. In the 1970s, the U.S. government raided the Church’s headquarters as part of Operation Snow White, exposing an extensive campaign of espionage against federal agencies. In 1993, the Church secured tax-exempt status from the IRS after a decades-long dispute, allegedly involving lawsuits and private investigations into IRS officials.
In 1995, the death of Lisa McPherson, a member who died under church care, led to a controversial wrongful death lawsuit, eventually settled in 2004. The Church has also faced international legal challenges, such as its classification as a religion in Germany and fraud charges in France. These cases highlight Scientology's aggressive legal tactics and its contentious relationship with governments worldwide.
Prem Kumar (known by his followers as Swami Premananda) was a monk convicted of multiple counts of assault and murder in the late 1990s. While in India, Premananda opened an ashram that purported to help women and orphans. However, by the mid-'90s, Premananda was arrested over accusations of assault and the murder of a former resident.
Premananda was convicted of his crimes and handed a double life sentence for them. He appealed the sentence, but his appeal was rejected, and he died of liver complications in prison in 2011.
Paul Schäfer was a religious leader with a truly horrifying laundry list of crimes and controversies. He began his career as a traveling preacher in the 1950s in Germany, and rumors of his crimes against children almost immediately began following him. After charges of abuse were formally handed down against him, he fled Germany to Chile.
In Chile, Schafer founded Colonia Dignidad, a cult compound where he allegedly abused children for decades before finally being arrested in 2005. In 2006, he was convicted of abusing children and received a sentence of 20 years. He later died in prison in 2010.
NXIVM, founded by Keith Raniere in the 1990s, presented itself as a self-help organization offering personal and professional development workshops. Beneath this facade, NXIVM operated as a cult, with Raniere creating a secret group within it called DOS (Dominus Obsequious Sororium). DOS members, primarily women, were coerced into becoming "slaves," providing damaging collateral like racy photos, and were branded with Raniere's initials.
The group used manipulation, blackmail, and emotional abuse to control members. In 2018, Raniere and prominent associates, including actress Allison Mack, were arrested. Raniere was convicted of sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, and racketeering, receiving a 120-year prison sentence. The case exposed the dark underbelly of NXIVM’s operations and shocked the public.
