Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 92
Aum Shinrikyo
Defense Problems
Former Aum leader Shoko Asahara’s defense team found it difficult to find anyone to
testify for him, and few actually did, while most of those who performed psychiatric tests
said he could tell the difference between right and wrong. But the defense‘s biggest problem
was that Asahara refused to speak, and often even to attend interviews with them or testify
in court. Many of the defense lawyers also showed mental fatigue as a trial that has lasted
seven-and-a-half years now concludes. (Asahi Shimbun, 10/31/03)
Assessing Aum
Kohei Ikeda, head of Aum successor organization Aleph’s Osaka branch, says that while
guru Shoko Asahara ―might still be personally important to some members, he is more
important as a symbol of Aum.‖ But film director Tatsuya Mori, who has made two
documentaries on Aum, believes that many members of Aleph still think Asahara is
supremely important, and that the guru is still playing a role in the organization. Both Ikeda
and Mori agree that Aleph is finding it difficult to recruit because of its suspected links to
Asahara, and general prejudice.
Aleph is still under government observation and must submit the names of recruits to
authorities, who then visit the recruits‘ homes or workplaces, which Ikeda considers a
violation of their rights. He complained that Japan remains gripped by paranoid fear about
Aum stemming from the poison gas attacks, and that this has led not only to laws aimed to
increase police powers but to Japan‘s supporting the war in Iraq because it has been linked
to the war on terrorism. (Eric Johnson, Japan Times, Internet, 10/30/03)
Leader's Defense
Lawyers for Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara (now often referred to by his birth
name, Chizuo Matsumoto), who is on trial for his alleged role in the 1995 poison gas
attack on the Tokyo subway and other crimes, say he is not guilty. They blame his
followers.
One attorney said, ―The defendant (Asahara) never thought about (producing sarin gas).
Senior member Hideo Murai, who misinterpreted (Aum‘s) teachings, planned and prepared
it.‖
―As the physical condition of the defendant worsened and the group expanded, he lost
authority to control runaway followers,‖ the defense said, adding that Asahara had nothing
to do with the crimes because he was ―truly religious.‖ Asahara sat in court and seemed
completely indifferent to his defense. [He has refused to speak to his lawyers or in his
defense since 1996.] (Kyodo News Service in Japan Times, and Mainichi Shimbun, Internet,
10/30/03)
Bountiful Community/Polygamy
Protest Government Support of Polygamists' School
The Vernon and District Women‘s Centre Society, in Vancouver, British Columbia, has
protested the provincial government‘s provision of $632,000 last year to Bountiful, a
polygamous commune in Lister. The Centre Society‘s Debra Critchely, who calls the funding
illegal, says that she received a letter from Premier Gordon Campbell saying that the
―government is aware of the concerns that exist regarding this issue,‖ and that he would
notify the Attorney General, whose office would respond.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Education says that the government is legally obligated to
fund the school just as it does other independent schools that pass an assessment. ―There‘s
Aum Shinrikyo
Defense Problems
Former Aum leader Shoko Asahara’s defense team found it difficult to find anyone to
testify for him, and few actually did, while most of those who performed psychiatric tests
said he could tell the difference between right and wrong. But the defense‘s biggest problem
was that Asahara refused to speak, and often even to attend interviews with them or testify
in court. Many of the defense lawyers also showed mental fatigue as a trial that has lasted
seven-and-a-half years now concludes. (Asahi Shimbun, 10/31/03)
Assessing Aum
Kohei Ikeda, head of Aum successor organization Aleph’s Osaka branch, says that while
guru Shoko Asahara ―might still be personally important to some members, he is more
important as a symbol of Aum.‖ But film director Tatsuya Mori, who has made two
documentaries on Aum, believes that many members of Aleph still think Asahara is
supremely important, and that the guru is still playing a role in the organization. Both Ikeda
and Mori agree that Aleph is finding it difficult to recruit because of its suspected links to
Asahara, and general prejudice.
Aleph is still under government observation and must submit the names of recruits to
authorities, who then visit the recruits‘ homes or workplaces, which Ikeda considers a
violation of their rights. He complained that Japan remains gripped by paranoid fear about
Aum stemming from the poison gas attacks, and that this has led not only to laws aimed to
increase police powers but to Japan‘s supporting the war in Iraq because it has been linked
to the war on terrorism. (Eric Johnson, Japan Times, Internet, 10/30/03)
Leader's Defense
Lawyers for Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara (now often referred to by his birth
name, Chizuo Matsumoto), who is on trial for his alleged role in the 1995 poison gas
attack on the Tokyo subway and other crimes, say he is not guilty. They blame his
followers.
One attorney said, ―The defendant (Asahara) never thought about (producing sarin gas).
Senior member Hideo Murai, who misinterpreted (Aum‘s) teachings, planned and prepared
it.‖
―As the physical condition of the defendant worsened and the group expanded, he lost
authority to control runaway followers,‖ the defense said, adding that Asahara had nothing
to do with the crimes because he was ―truly religious.‖ Asahara sat in court and seemed
completely indifferent to his defense. [He has refused to speak to his lawyers or in his
defense since 1996.] (Kyodo News Service in Japan Times, and Mainichi Shimbun, Internet,
10/30/03)
Bountiful Community/Polygamy
Protest Government Support of Polygamists' School
The Vernon and District Women‘s Centre Society, in Vancouver, British Columbia, has
protested the provincial government‘s provision of $632,000 last year to Bountiful, a
polygamous commune in Lister. The Centre Society‘s Debra Critchely, who calls the funding
illegal, says that she received a letter from Premier Gordon Campbell saying that the
―government is aware of the concerns that exist regarding this issue,‖ and that he would
notify the Attorney General, whose office would respond.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Education says that the government is legally obligated to
fund the school just as it does other independent schools that pass an assessment. ―There‘s
