Asia’s fascination with cults: from Singapore deities to Japan’s sarin gas killers
Delve into chilling tales of followers lured by false promises of salvation – and the cult leaders who preyed on their vulnerabilities
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.
Over an eight-year period to 2020, the 54-year-old Singaporean led a group of about 30 followers who revered Sri Sakthi Narayani Amma, an Indian spiritual leader, the court heard.
Woo convinced them she could communicate with gods, demanded they refer to her as “lord” and some even moved in with her to act as personal assistants. Those who disobeyed her were forced to eat faeces or had their teeth pulled out as punishment.
Seeking healing for themselves or their loved ones, her followers paid Woo S$7 million (US$5.4 million) for spiritual “cleansing” and took out some S$6.6 million in loans, which she used for her own benefit.
