Church Universal and Triumphant-The Church Universal and
Triumphant (CUT), founded by Mark L. Prophet in the 1950s and later led by his
wife, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, has been labeled as a cult due to its
controversial beliefs and practices. Initially presenting itself as a New Age
spiritual movement emphasizing prophecy, meditation, and ascended masters
teachings, CUT evolved into a highly structured organization with a charismatic
leader at its helm. Elizabeth Clare Prophet’s claims of receiving divine
revelations and her authoritarian control over members’ lives raised concerns
about cult-like behavior. The group’s isolationist tendencies, including the
establishment of a fortified compound in Montana known as the “Royal Teton
Ranch,” further fueled suspicions of cultism. Reports of financial
exploitation, strict obedience to doctrine, and the apocalyptic worldview
propagated by CUT contributed to its reputation as a cult. Additionally, the
group’s history of legal battles, controversies surrounding its leadership, and
allegations of psychological manipulation have solidified its status as a
contentious religious movement.