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[[image:ny_times_chi_fire_mhs.jpg width="181" height="171" link="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/world/europe/31bugarach.html?_r=1&ref=religiouscults"]]
In Bugarach, France a new abundance of people from the esoteric belief. These people believe that the world is going to come to an end on December 21, 2012. They have moved into Bugarach because they believe it is a safe haven that will save them from the end of the world, and that aliens that live under the mountain will spirit them away to a better life. Locals from the Bugarach area are very upset by the multitude of numbers that are now showing up. “Some Web sites in the U.S. were selling tickets to come here,” said Jean-Pierre Delord, the mayor. “We are 200 locals; we don’t want 2,000 to 3,000 utopians showing up in Bugarach.”

De la Baume, Maia. “For End of the World, a French Peak Holds Allure.” //The New York Times// 30 Jan. 2011: n. pag. //The New York Times//. Web. 3 May 2011. .

[[image:la_times.jpg width="204" height="104" link="http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/07/local/la-me-muerte7-2009dec07"]]
One cult that has been very prevalent in Mexico since the 19th century is the Santa Muerte. Santa Muerte translates to be "Holy Death." This cult has been widely condemned for its worshipping because it's idol is a "kind of female grim reaper with a skull for a face" (Leovy), and has been long associated with drug trafficking. This cult has become very popular among people of poor social class or criminal class, because the people seek shelter from the feeling of loneliness. Before, Santa Muerte had been associated with witchcraft and Satanism, and even still today those rumors still circulate around the cult; however, many have come to accept them. According to many of the followers of Santa Muerte their cult is centered around love and acceptance.

Leovy, Jill. “Santa Muerte in L.A.: A gentler vision of ‘Holy Death.’” //Los Angeles Times// 7 Dec. 2009: n. pag. //Los Angeles Times//. Web. 3 May 2011. .