https://www.spiritualminorities.org/ News and analysis on freedom of religion or belief — covering discrimination against spiritual and religious minorities, anti-cult movements, and government inquiries worldwide. en-au https://www.spiritualminorities.org/blog/victoria-cults-inquiry-overview/ https://www.spiritualminorities.org/blog/victoria-cults-inquiry-overview/ What a religions scholar, a legal scholar, and a Christian legal advocate say about Victoria's inquiry into "cults and organised fringe groups" — its origins, the definitional problem, and the religious-liberty stakes. Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-into-cults-why-christians-are-concerned/ https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-into-cults-why-christians-are-concerned/ Freedom for Faith’s Mike Southon warns Victoria’s inquiry into “cults and organised fringe groups” cannot define a cult without sweeping in mainstream churches — and urges lawmakers to prosecute illegal acts, not legislate belief. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/victoria-anti-cult-inquiry-interview-keith-thompson/ https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/victoria-anti-cult-inquiry-interview-keith-thompson/ Legal scholar Keith Thompson warns that Victoria's proposed inquiry into 'cults and organised fringe groups' threatens religious freedom and disregards legal precedent. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-on-cults-2-dangerous-for-all-religions/ https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-on-cults-2-dangerous-for-all-religions/ Part 2 of Bernard Doherty's analysis: "cult" is used so loosely in Victoria's inquiry that most Australian churches and faith communities could be targeted — a threat to religious liberty far beyond the unpopular few. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-on-cults-1-the-australian-context/ https://www.spiritualminorities.org/republished/the-victoria-australia-inquiry-on-cults-1-the-australian-context/ Part 1 of Bernard Doherty's analysis: Victoria's 2025 parliamentary inquiry into "cults and organised fringe groups" is far from unprecedented — Australian anti-cult inquiries since the 1963 Anderson Inquiry have nearly all failed. Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT