Wolrd Religion

Despite evidence of abusive acts by cults, the Senate rejected Nick Xenophon's request for an inquiry into Scientology when both major parties voted against it. We've been down this road before. Through much of 2006 and 2007, the Greens tried to get a Senate inquiry into the Exclusive Brethren, and the major parties vetoed it.

This means that, in Australia, cults are thriving under the protection of politicians, the police and the courts.

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Tokyo marked the 15th anniversary Saturday of the sarin nerve gas attack on its subway system by AUM Shinrikyo cult members that left 13 dead and sickened some 6,300.

The cult's founder Shoko Asahara, 55, and nine other cult members are currently awaiting execution on death row, while three others remain at large.

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