Asia’s fascination with cults: from Singapore deities to Japan’s sarin gas killers
Asia, home to billions and a multitude of faiths, is a fertile breeding ground for shamans, spiritualists, cults, and sects that exist outside formal religions. While some of these groups promote harmless beliefs, others propagate dubious or even dangerous doctrines.
With influence can come troubling political connections. And while some groups may seem harmless, others are violent and exploitative. Experts note that the region’s diverse mix of community needs, power dynamics, poverty and deep-rooted beliefs creates an environment that’s ripe for exploitation.