Order of the Solar Temple: The macabre history of a dark cult

Cults were previously thought to attract only uneducated people of low socioeconomic status. Extreme beliefs were thought to arise out of desperation and hopelessness. However, the Order of the Solar Temple disproved this misconception, as its members belonged to the elite of society. Most of them were of high socio-economic status, which is understandable given the substantial dues and high cost of membership in the Order. If you want to learn about other most influential cults of the world, we recommend you to read this article.

Members of the Order of the Solar Temple included millionaires, French policemen, respected civil servants, doctors and other members of the elite. These people were attracted not only by the promise of spiritual enlightenment and salvation, but also by the exclusivity and prestige associated with membership in the order. Like many other cults, the popularity of the Order of the Solar Temple declined sharply after the tragic mass suicide and generally ritualistic murders that shook the world. It was expected that after such a tragedy, all side beliefs and implications of the cult would be completely eradicated, but the Order of the Solar Temple still exists to this day, continuing to attract new followers. 

The origins of the Order of the Solar Temple

The cult emerged in the early 1990s, combining evangelical Christian doctrine and elements of occult Freemasonry. This cult sought to revive the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Templars of the fourteenth century, as its members believed in the imminent coming of the apocalypse. They believed that the social structure of the time had significant advantages and could bring harmony and order in the midst of global strife. Ultimately, members of the Order of the Solar Temple expected that after the end of the world, they would be transported to a planet orbiting the star Sirius to live there in the afterlife.

To earn this privilege, one had to become a devoted member of the order and make regular and substantial financial contributions, which allowed former leaders of the Order of the Solar Temple to live a lavish lifestyle. One of the key beliefs of the Order was that the approaching end of the world would mark the second coming of Jesus Christ, whom they called the Sun God-King.

Members of the Order piously believed that only through absolute devotion and significant material contributions could they secure salvation and an afterlife on Sirius after the apocalypse. These beliefs allowed the leaders of the order not only to control their followers, but also to live in incredible luxury, utilising their resources and blind faith. The belief in the inevitability of the end of the world and the promise of an afterlife on Sirius were powerful tools of manipulation, keeping members in obedience and constant funding of the cult.

How did the founders unify their beliefs?

The cult was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1984, and the founders were Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret. Di Mambro, after receiving a Catholic upbringing and attending church every Sunday, became fascinated with the occult at the age of 20. His fascination led him to become a member of the cult himself and then to found an organisation called the Golden Path. This foundation provided a platform for occult enthusiasts to socialise and exchange ideas. It was within the Golden Path that Di Mambro met Luc Jouret.

Luc Jouret studied to be a doctor but eventually abandoned traditional medicine in favour of spiritualism and homeopathy. He travelled the world extensively, studying alternative medical practices and delving into spiritual teachings. Meeting Di Mambro through the Golden Path Foundation proved to be a turning point for both of them. They quickly found common ground and began to develop a plan to create a new organisation that would combine their passions and beliefs.

Inspired by their spiritual quest and conviction of an imminent apocalypse, Di Mambro and Jure joined forces to create a cult. Their goal was not only to unite people who shared their beliefs, but also to create a structure that could fulfil their vision of a harmonious society ready for the coming changes in the world. The headquarters in Geneva became the centre of activity from which the founders spread their teachings and attracted new followers with the promise of salvation and a new life on a planet orbiting the star Sirius.

Creation and collapse of the Order of the Solar Temple

Di Mambro and Jure developed their own cult by combining their experiences after dealing with various other cults. Thus the Order of the Solar Temple was born, with the goal of creating a community that would embody their spiritual and occult beliefs, but reality proved to be far from this idealistic concept.

One of the reasons that drove the leaders to mass suicide was disillusionment with Di Mambro's own son, Eli. Elie became a sceptic when he found evidence that the spiritual visions on which the cult was based had been fabricated using projectors. He began to speak openly about the falsity of the cult, which caused a wave of discontent among the followers. Some cult members began their own investigations and soon discovered the lavish lifestyles of Di Mambro and Jure, paid for by their contributions.

These revelations caused many followers to leave the cult, which enraged Di Mambro. He realised that if he did not take drastic action, he could lose even more members. In an attempt to strengthen the faith of those who remained and quell doubts, the proceedings and rituals became even more fanatical and violent. In an atmosphere of growing discontent and pressure, the leaders of the order decided on mass suicide, hoping in this way to maintain the control and loyalty of the remaining followers.

From religious fanaticism to murder

One of the most heinous crimes committed by the Order of the Solar Temple was the murder of a member of the community. When Di Mambro learnt that Antonio and Nicky Dutoit had named their newborn child Emmanuel, he was extremely outraged. One of the main beliefs of the Order of the Solar Temple was the prophecy that a sign of the end of the world would be the birth of a god child. Di Mambro had already bestowed this title on one of his sons and could not tolerate competition.

The Order killed the entire family by impaling them with a wooden stake after Di Mambro claimed that Dutoit's child was the Antichrist. The Dutois are said to have seen fake visions, which also contributed to their demise. They were probably trying to raise their status in the order, which was their fatal mistake. Soon after, Di Mambro and Jure announced that the apocalypse was closer than ever and ecological collapse was imminent. They told the group members to leave early so that they could soon begin repopulating the planet orbiting Sirius.

The final sacrifice of the Order of the Solar Temple

Those who refused to follow the plan were probably forced to commit suicide. Swiss officials found many sect members with gunshot wounds to the head or strangled with plastic bags in the charred remains of the sect's village. Ironically, Elie, Di Mambro's son, was also found among the victims, raising doubts about his apostasy or suggesting that he never fully left the sect.

Di Mambro staged a dramatisation of the Last Supper, where he and his entourage recreated Christ's last supper with the apostles. Di Mambro, of course, played the role of Jesus, emphasising his importance and influence on his followers. This dramatisation was the culmination of his manipulations and preparations for the tragic events. After the burning of the village, many members of the order were found lying in eerie star-shaped circular formations, their feet pointing inwards into the circle. Among the dead were both Di Mambro and Jure, confirming their complete immersion in the world of illusion and deception they had created.

A short time later, their example was followed by a faction in Quebec (Canada) where five people committed suicide. This time, however, three children managed to escape, bringing some hope in this series of tragedies. Rituals have resulted in 74 people committing suicide or being killed. Despite these horrific events, the Order of the Solar Temple continues to this day with several hundred members. This dark chapter in the history of religious cults serves as a reminder of how dangerous manipulation and fanaticism can be if left unchecked and uncritically examined.