---

Associated Press, via the Boston Globe, USA
Oct. 31, 1995
www.boston.com

---

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 10208 • Posted: Tuesday October 31, 1995  

---

TOKYO — The doomsday cult accused in the nerve gas attack on Tokyo’s subways was ordered stripped of its religious status yesterday, clearing the way for the government to seize its assets.

A Tokyo judge ruled that the Aum Shinri Kyo cult did not deserve preferential legal and tax status because its members used cult facilities to make nerve gas.

The ruling by Presiding Judge Seishi Kanetsuki was the first time a Japanese religious group has lost its tax-exempt status. The group’s 10,000 members still will be able to gather and worship freely.

Cult members are expected to appeal. They had no immediate comment.

The founder, Shoko Asahara, is charged with masterminding the March 20 subway attack that killed 12 Tokyo commuters and sickened thousands more. Aum members have also been accused in an earlier nerve gas attack and more than a dozen other deaths.

If the court’s ruling is upheld, the cult’s businesses and large tracts of property would be subject to normal tax rates. The government also could seize its assets.

---

What You Can Do From Here

---

Read More Articles On These Topics Categories: Aum Shinrikyo Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article Subscribe Religion News Blog RSS feed [What is this?] RSS by topic: Aum Shinrikyo Read Another Article Previous entry: Japan cult leader fires lawyer; trial delayed Next entry: Japan gives government power to police religious groups RNB Homepage with latest headlines Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Aum Shinrikyo Most Popular Today NewsChannel 10 allowed inside self proclaimed messiah’s compound Wanda Barzee pleads guilty to charge in Elizabeth Smart case Judge cancels hearing in case against Warren Jeffs Atheists ‘just as ethical as churchgoers’ research shows

---

Share This Article

---

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:

• Post a link on your blog or website:
  
• Send in an email or IM:
  
• Post on a forum:
  

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.