Potential for terrorism in New Zealand’s religious cults

Some New Zealand religious groups fit an internationally-recognised definition of a potential terrorist organisation, according to a Massey University specialist in world religions, Dr Heather Kavan.

Dr Kavan today addressed a counter-terrorism seminar in Wellington on the similarities between the terrorist organisation Aum Shinrikyo, responsible for the fatal nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway a decade ago, and the Falun Gong movement, outlawed in China despite never having engaged in terrorist activities.

In a paper entitled Dangerous organisations or dangerous situations? Comparing Aum Shinrikyo and Falun Gong, Dr Kavan cites a United States intelligence report description of the Tokyo nerve gas attack, which killed 12 and injured 5000, as a textbook case of apocalyptic religious violence.

The authors of that report, known as Project Megiddo, asserted that any religious group in which a guru induced others to be totally dependent on him and his allegedly supernatural powers, while preaching the imminent end of the world, was intrinsically violent.

“This description could, of course, apply to many religious organisations that have never engaged in terrorism, including New Zealand groups,” Dr Kavan told the Wellington conference.

She said there were several triggers that could push a non-violent cult into violence, including unwelcome attention from authorities or the news media, often resulting from disgruntled former members speaking publicly.

Cult FAQ

CultFAQ.org: Frequently Asked Questions About Cults, Sects, and Related Issues

Includes definitions of terms (e.g. cult, sect, anticult, countercult, new religious movement, cult apologist, etcetera)

Plus research resources, and a listing of recommended cult experts
– CultFAQ is provided by Apologetics Index

“ Leaders who profess to have an omniscient edge on the rest of us obviously have a greater potential than others to incite violence. Factors that may trigger violence (including suicides) in so-called cults are: negative publicity, impending police raids, exposes from ex-members, public humiliation of the leader, and – more importantly – likely loss of credibility.”

She said groups who perceived their enemy as the United States were more likely to turn to terrorism.

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)
Massey University, New Zealand
Aug. 18, 2005 Press Release
masseynews.massey.ac.nz

Religion News Blog posted this on Friday August 19, 2005.
Last updated if a date shows here:

   

More About This Subject

AFFILIATE LINKS

Our website includes affiliate links, which means we get a small commission -- at no additional cost to you -- for each qualifying purpose. For instance, as an Amazon Associate, Religion News Blog earns from qualifying purchases. That is one reason why we can provide this research service free of charge.

Speaking of which: One way in which you can support us — at no additional cost to you — is by shopping at Amazon.com.