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Cults and governments
In many countries there exists [[freedom of religion]], and [[separation of church and state]]. Some of these countries are, also concerned with possible abuses by [[cult]]s and have taken restrictive measures against some of their activities. Those measures were generally motivated by various crimes committed inside cults, especially by a string of murderous incidents involving doomsday cults circa 1995. 

(contracted; show full)ian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,331743,00.html] [http://home.snafu.de/tilman/krasel/germany/government.html]. Shortly after German Scientologist Antje Victore 1996 received political asylum in the US due to alleged religious persecution in Germany, German newspapers showed evidence that Victore's "proofs", letters denying her employment due to being a Scientologist, had been fabricated by fellow-Scientologist company owners [http://www.whyaretheydead.net/Clearwater/Antje_Victore.htm].


The [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]]'s travel warning for [[India]] states that ''U.S. citizens should be aware that there have been unconfirmed reports of inappropriate sexual behavior by a prominent local religious leader at an [[ashram]] or religious retreat located in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Most of the reports indicate that the subjects of these approaches have been young male devotees, including a number of U.S. citizens.'' Former followers of the popular guru [[Sathya Sai Baba]] (whose main [[ashram]] is located in Andhra Pradesh and who has been accused of sexually abusing young Americans) say that the State Department will confirm that they refer to him upon request.[http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200406/1086748975.html]. See also [[Allegations_against_Sathya_Sai_Baba| Allegations against Sathya Sai Baba]A travel advisory by the [[United States Department of State]], in which neither Sathya Sai Baba or other persons are mentioned, warns US citizens traveling to [[Andhra Pradesh]] of unconfirmed reports of inappropriate sexual behavior toward young male devotees by a prominent local religious leader [http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html].

== References ==

* {{fnb|1}} Miller, Timothy, '' Religious Movements in the United States: An Informal Introduction'', The New Religious Movements Homepage at the University of Virginia. [http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/essays/miller2003.htm Available online]

* {{fnb|2}} The ''Belgian Parliamentary Commission on Cults''&lsquo; report to the Belgian Parliament in [[1997]]. [http://www.dekamer.be/FLWB/pdf/49/0313/49K0313008.pdf available online]

* {{cite journal | author=Kent, Stephen A. | title=The French and German versus American Debate over 'New Religions', Scientology, and Human Rights | journal=Marburg Journal of Religion | year=2001 | volume=6 | issue=1  | pages= 11 }} [http://www.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/kent2.html]

* Council of Europe: ''Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms'' [http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/005.htm]

*  Council of Europe. 1999. "Recommendation 1412-Illegal Activities of Sects." Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee. 3pp; [http://www.agpf.de/Europarat-Nastase-Report.htm]

==External links==
*[http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/bth/aalderink/index.html "Totally Expunge Evil, Pursue it to the End" Explaining the Crackdown on the Falun Gong] Graduation paper by Karin Aalderink Department of Chinese Studies [[Leiden University]], The Netherlands (2001)