The author examines critical and scholarly treatment of the mass suicides & homicides perpetrated by cult groups including the Solar Temple, Aum Shinri-kyo, Heaven’s Gate & the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. He argues that as far as “critical incidents” are concerned, scholars & critics of new religious movements & cults should supplement content-neutral models of persuasion & influence with an examination of which ideologies may be more conductive to suicide & violence. (22 refs)