IMHO, all religions are varying degrees of "aberrational". With the newer ones, it's just more easy to track the history and evolution of the religions (e.g. Scientology, Mormonism, JW). For example, Joseph Smith was a con-man. Convicted and served time for it. We also know about the missing original manuscript (as I recall, the wife of a friend absconded with it), so the re-write didn't match exactly (even with the same "seeing stones" and gold plates).

We can't be sure that Jesus was a real person, but there is enough circumstantial evidence to imply he was. It was long enough ago that we don't have really reliable records. But something created within the past 150 years, we can know a lot more about it.

The Scientologists record their confession sessions (I forget what they call them...trying to delve deep into your psyche/soul). Then they have you, assuming you told them anything embarrassing (which you have to do, or else you don't "elevate" in level). They also follow people that leave their cult, harass them, and sometimes their families. It was a very interesting documentary. I think it may have been Frontline.