Summary
Every cult needs a balance of shame, guilt, and pleasure to manipulate its adherents into submission and recruit new believers.Cult of the Lambhas a whole chapter of holy scripture dedicated toSin Doctrines,which give players the power to accuse and absolve.
The Sin Doctrines are divided into two types that could be divided intoeither sex or violence, with some overlap, so choices may vary depending on the type of Cult players are building. At first glance, these are some of the most fun and interesting, with the best long-term and overall benefits depending on what other Doctrines the player chooses to complement them.
Updated on July 04, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose: The Sins Doctrines give the Lamb’s followers equal amounts of greed, lust, and devotion to better serve their dear leader. Various ongoing updates to the game have added some new options, and some of the doctrines can also be used to generate contributions and temple donations if the Lamb needs cash. Sin isn’t just a concept, it’s a currency in Cult of the Lamb that’s used to unlock Rituals, Traits, and other perks. Some Sin Doctrines have beneficial connections to Doctrines from other sections of the cult’s holy book of scripture, such as Sustenance or Possessions.
10Blind Allegiance
Cultist From Birth
Traveling the world and recruiting followers with Crusades and gold is dangerous and difficult. Why not do what so many other cultist leaders have done, andencourage Followers to have childrenthat will grow up surrounded by the cult’s teachings?
That’s exactly whyBlind Allegianceis one of the best Sins Doctrines to get and is held back until Tier 4. This unlocks a Follower Trait of the same name, which ensures that every new cultist hatched will be born with added Loyalty. These Followers are more difficult for Heretics to turn with their subversive teachings, but level up faster and more efficiently than those without Blind Allegiance.
9Rite Of Lust
Make Love Not Wrath
A Doctrine that unlocks a sordid and salacious Rite that involves a naked dance around thecentral totem of the cult’s compound.It ensures equal amounts of nudity, lust, and vacation time to ensure Followers stay happy and full of valuable Sin.
When partaking in theRite of Lust, all of the adult followers of the cult dance naked around the shrine, and the Lamb chooses their favorite to be the receptacle for some extra Sins. The still “skyclad” cultists are then allowed to take a day off to think about what they did.
8Extort Tithes
Closely Related To Lust Is Greed
One of the Possessions Doctrines,Extort Tithesmeans more material goods and wealth in general for the Cult, which means more for the Lamb. It depends on the kind of cult that the player is building, so this Doctrine would fit more with a decadent type of cult than a strict or stoic one.
It can hurt the Follower’s morale to give away too much of their own money, and appeasing them is where the complementary Sin Doctrines come in. Blind Allegiance is one way to ensure Loyalty even in tough times, and the Rite of Lust is one way to distract Cultists from worrying about money.
7Born Of Sin
For Those Born Into The Faith
Cultists can start to contribute to the well-being and security of the cult from the moment they’re bornthanks to this Doctrine. Every Follower hatched in the cult now has theBorn of SinTrait that contributes to their Sin from the moment they’re born, which is both convenient and profitable.
This is a Tier 4 Doctrine, which means it’s one of the last players can choose depending on previous selections. Whichever Tier 4 Doctrines they choose will depend on their previous choices and the type of cult they’re building.
6Feasting Ritual
Followers Must Be Fed
This Doctrine is one of the earliest that the Lamb can unlock. It’s a Ritual, which means the Lamb will need to gather their flock in the temple and spend 75 bones on a great feast. Their hunger will be sated by theFeasting Ritualand the Lamb will gain an additional +30 Faith from their increased loyalty.
There’s a scripted Famine event that takes place in Anura, one of the first four Crusades, and this is one of the Rituals that can help alleviate its effects. The alternative Doctrine, Ritual Fast, keeps the followers from being hungry for three whole days and can be used to plan ahead if the Lamb decides to go on a long Crusade.
5Gluttony Of Cannibals
Even Better With The Cannibal Trait
TheGluttony of CannibalsDoctrine unlocks a Ritual of the same name in which a single follower is chosen to be devoured by the rest of the congregation. This gives the cult full Sin, but the cost is 40 Faith unless the player has the Cannibal Trait, one of the Sustenance Doctrines.
Lust and gluttony go so well together that they’re almost the same thing. The Gluttony of Cannibals Doctrine fits nicely with the Cannibal Trait, which is one of the Sustenance Doctrines. It gives a Follower +5 to their loyalty and allows them to eat Minced Follower Meat without getting sick.
4Loyalty Enforcer
A Shepherd When The Lamb Is Absent
Whether the player’s cult of choice is one of pleasure or pain, Loyalty isn’t just a way to retain the congregation after using the Sin Doctrines to add new followers. It’s also an important currency that the Lamb can use for other projects, such as adding new buildings and decor to the Cult compound.
The Lamb uses this Ritual to choose one of their trusted Followers to act as their official Loyalty enforcer. They’ll collect Loyalty in the Lamb’s stead when the Dear Leader is running Crusades, fishing, or playing Knucklebones.
3Violent Extremist
More Benefits To Crusading
This unlocksa Trait that benefitsthe Lamb directly while they’re crusading. When the Lamb has to fight and kill a more powerful enemy of the faith, there’s a chance they’ll drop some Sin when they die. Please note that this doesn’t apply to opponents they fight in Purgatory, however.
Every different Crusade dungeon has a boss guarding it, and although they may speak to the Lamb or even appear to them in the dungeon, they usually don’t appear until the very end. Make them pay for their blasphemy and cleanse them of Sin with theViolent ExtremistDoctrine.
2Belief In False Idols
Impress The Cult With Seductive Decor
Listed second in the Possessions Tier of Doctrines,Belief in False Idolsis a Trait that is automatically given to every active cult member when it unlocks. Whenever the Lamb builds a structure that only has a decorative function, it increases the amount of Faith gained from followers, altars, and other structures.
This is a better Trait to have later in the game after the cult compound already has all of its essential structures, such as a farm, graveyard, places to refine resources, and homes for followers. When it’s time to beautify the cult’s living spaces, the Lamb can do so more freely and creatively, and generate more Faith overall as a result.
1Sinner’s Pride
Punish Their Love
Sinner’s Prideunlocks a Tier 2 Ritual that’s an alternative to the Gluttony of Cannibals Doctrine. Just like the other Doctrine, the ritual begins when the Lamb chooses a Follower, but instead of being eaten, the cultist takes on the Sin of all their peers.
This gathers a nice reward of Sin from the whole congregation, which players can use to unlock other Temple perks. However, the chosen Follower may be discontent with the amount of Sins they take on, and it will drive them out of the cult. Ensure that this Follower is Absolved as soon as possible to keep them as a spiritual slave and continue to enjoy their undying love and devotion.
