These religions are often considered cults. Such religions include the infamous Peoples Temple settlement, led by Jones, the Branch Dividian s and their leader Koresh, and the more recent Heaven s Gate group, lead by Marshall H. Applewhite , also known as Do. As in the case with all three of these cults, conformity can have very negative outcomes. In Jonestown , nearly 1,000 people committed suicide because Jones had them believing that death was the only way to solve problems. Seventy men, women, and children were killed in Waco.
Conformity has advantages and disadvantages, both of which can be very educational to society.
Following rules of society and living according to the norms of society can be beneficial to a person. Joining a cult and practicing religions that are harmful, both physically and mentally, cross the line into the negative affects of conformity. When one joins a cult or is pressured into doing something against common belief, more than just the person involved can be hurt, and that is why there should be greater measures taken to prevent such occurrences from happening. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it .