WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 1986
54
GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON RELIGIOUS CULTS STATED
*****
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLD RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, POLICE WILL INITIATE PROSECUTION WHENEVER ACTIVITIES OF NON- TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS SECTS OR CULTS WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE CONSTITUTE A PRIMA FACIE BREACH OF THE LAW, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SUCH SECTS OR CULTS, THE DOCTRINE AND PRACTICES OF WHICH ARE SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE AND RUN COUNTER TO GENERALLY ACCEPTED ETHICAL STANDARDS.
+FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE HAD REPORTS OF ONE CULT WHOSE ADHERENTS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO USE SEX TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS. ANOTHER ONE SEEKS TO SET UP BASES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND PREACH ESCHATOLOGY TO INCULCATE A PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE AMONG ITS FOLLOWERS.+
MR LIAO SAID PERSONS RELATED TO ANY OBSCURE RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CLOSE VETTING AND MAY BE REFUSED LANDING ON ARRIVAL OR SUBSEQUENT EXTENSION OF STAY.
+DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE STAFF, WHO ARE WELL AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE NON-TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS CULTS, PROVIDE NECESSARY COUNSELLING SERVICE TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FALLING A PREY TO SUCH CULTS, HE SAID.
MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THERE IS AS YET LITTLE EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SUCH RELIGIOUS CULTS HAVE SPREAD TO THE EXTENT TO BE A CAUSE FOR ALARM.
+HOWEVER, TO COMBAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY, IT WOULD REQUIRE INCREASED ATTENTION OF CARE BY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, HE ADDED.
+ IN PARTICULAR, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BODIES, SOCIAL WORK ORGANISATIONS AND ALL THOSE CONCERNED WITH THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH HAVE A PART TO PLAY.+
/55