Religious Cults in Singapore: Are they Illegal? Penalties & More

Last updated on August 17, 2020

religious cult

In February 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that an unregistered local chapter of a South Korean church accused of being a religious cult was being investigated for operating illegally and using deceptive recruitment methods to gain followers in Singapore. 

This article will give you a better understanding of:

What is a Religious Cult? How is It Different from a Religious Group?

A religious cult may be differentiated as being a group of individuals with uncommon religious beliefs and practices, distinguished from the major religious beliefs.

Religious cults may even hold extreme or dangerous religious beliefs such as those motivated by terrorism or discrimination against other groups in the community.

Characteristics of a religious cult  

Some characteristics of religious cults include:

  • Divergence from common beliefs of major religions
  • Members not being allowed to interact with one another
  • Members not being allowed to speak to their families or friends about the group’s activities
  • Members not being allowed to verify teachings with other religious groups
  • Members often being led by a charismatic, authoritarian leader who is regarded as a reincarnation of a godlike figure or as the saviour of the group
  • The leader claims to have exclusive means of knowing the “truth”

Does the Right of Freedom of Religion Apply to Religious Cults? 

The right to freedom of religion in Singapore is constitutionally guaranteed in Article 15 of the Singapore Constitution. Freedom of religion means that every person in Singapore, regardless of citizenship, has the right to profess, propagate and practise his or her religion.  

Consequently, people in Singapore generally have the freedom to subscribe to and spread any religion, and to engage in any religious practice. Religious groups therefore have the right to manage their own religious affairs, and establish institutions for religious or charitable purposes such as churches.

However, the freedom of religion also has its limits. Although religious groups and religious cults are still entitled to hold their beliefs, they are not allowed to perform any act that goes against any general law relating to public order, public health or morality. 

Likewise, if religious cults were to perform illegal acts, or acts that threaten the safety of members of the public, they would not be protected by the right of freedom of religion.

Are Religious Cults Illegal in Singapore? 

Under the Societies Act, the definition of “societies” includes any club, company, partnership or association of 10 or more persons, whatever its nature or purpose. Hence, as long as there are 10 or more members in a religious group, the group would be considered a society and should be registered with the Registry of Societies. 

However, registration can be refused or cancelled. This occurs if the society is used, or later found to be used, for unlawful purposes or purposes prejudicial to public peace and good order in Singapore.

For example, in the case of the Jehovah Witnesses, some men had tried to use their religious beliefs to evade National Service. Their refusal to do National Service was viewed by the government to be a serious threat to national security, resulting in the group being de-registered.

Any society that is not registered is deemed to be an unlawful society, and therefore illegal. Hence, religious cults (or any religious group, in general) that are unregistered or have been de-registered are illegal in Singapore.

This is unless the activities of the religious cult are organised wholly outside Singapore and the cult does not carry on any activity in Singapore.

However, religious cults with fewer than 10 members do not qualify as societies under the Societies Act may still be illegal. What matters is whether the religious cult crosses the line into criminality or poses a threat to public security.

For example, if a religious cult were to carry out activities in Singapore that are unlawful or against public interest, such as attempting to harm or incite fear and hatred in members of the public, it may be deemed illegal and even subsequently banned.

What are the Offences a Religious Cult can be Charged With, and Their Penalties? 

1) Managing an unlawful society 

As said earlier, religious cults are likely to be unregistered and thus unlawful societies. It is an offence for any person to manage or assist in the management of such societies under section 14 of the Societies Act. If you are found guilty of doing so, this could lead to a jail term of up to 5 years. 

It is also an offence under section 15 of the Societies Act to allow an unlawful society to use your premises, for which the punishment is a fine of up to $5,000 and/or 3 years’ jail.

Any premises used as a place of worship or to perform any other activities of a religious cult may be subjected to police raids, although the police do not specifically look for such premises. 

2) Being a member of an unlawful society 

Similarly, members of religious cults found to be unlawful societies, risk getting a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 3 years’ jail. This includes persons who attend cult meetings.

Additionally, it is an offence under section 16 of the Societies Act to invite another person to become a member of an unlawful society. The punishment for this is a fine of up to $5,000 and/or 3 years’ jail.

3) Forming an unlawful assembly 

When there is an assembly of 5 or more members of a religious cult, this is a possible offence of “unlawful assembly” under section 141 of the Penal Code (PC)

An assembly is unlawful if the “common object” or shared purpose of the members is to engage in criminal conduct, where this includes the commission of any offence. Even if members of the assembly did not set out to commit illegal activities, the assembly may subsequently become unlawful as long as illegal activities are involved.

Should the activities of the religious cult involve illegal acts such as vandalising and damaging property or causing harm to others, members of the assembly may be charged with and convicted of being a member of an unlawful assembly if they had been aware of the circumstances of the assembly but intentionally joined or continued to be a part of it.

This is an offence punishable by up to 2 years’ jail and/or a fine.

4) Reproduction, sale, or possession of objectionable and prohibited publications 

Objectionable publications

Religious cults may use their publications to spread their ideas, which may include promoting criminal acts or acts of serious physical harm as part of their religious beliefs. They may also use these publications to say that members of other groups or communities are inferior to them.

Under section 12 of the Undesirable Publications Act (UPA) however, it is an offence to make, reproduce, sell, distribute or possess any objectionable publication. A publication can be considered objectionable if any part of it deals with matters of race or religion in a way that is likely to cause feelings of hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups.      

For distributing objectionable publications under the UPA, an offender could face up to 12 months’ jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Prohibited publications

Religious publications may also be prohibited by the government for being contrary to public interest, such as those from organisations related to Jehovah’s Witnesses, that were prejudicial to the government’s efforts in maintaining national security and unity. 

Under section 6 of the UPA, a first-time offender found to be in possession of prohibited publications without reasonable excuse could attract a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 12 months’ jail. Once the publication is in your possession, you will be presumed to have known the contents and nature of the publications until you can prove otherwise. 

Importing, publishing, selling or distributing prohibited publication are also an offence. A person found guilty of this offence could face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 3 years’ jail for a first-time offence.

It is also an offence to publish or possess any propaganda or publication of an unlawful society under section 18 of the Societies Act. The punishment is a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 2 years’ jail

5) Wounding the religious feelings of other groups and inciting hostility 

Members of religious cults may condemn or insult other religious groups and hurt their feelings.

Section 298 of the PC makes it an offence to utter words or do anything that can be represented, seen or heard by any person, if done with the deliberate intention to offend that person’s religious or racial feelings. Such words or actions by that person may cause social unrest and undermine religious harmony which is taken very seriously in Singapore. 

The punishment for this offence is up to 3 years’ jail and/or a fine. For example, teenage blogger Amos Yee was jailed for 6 weeks under section 298 in 2016 for making deliberate and offensive remarks with the intent of hurting the feelings of Muslims and Christians.

Section 298 may be supplemented by section 298A of the PC which carries the same punishment. Section 298A makes it an offence for any person to knowingly do or say anything to promote disharmony or hatred between different religious racial groups, or anything that is prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

A religious cult member may encourage the religious cult to commit acts that cause feelings of ill-will or hostility between different religious groups, including making remarks about other religions calculated to insult other religious groups.

6) Committing genocide 

A person of a religious cult may be found guilty of genocide for committing any act under section 130D of the Penal Code with the intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Such acts include:

  • Killing members of the group
  • Causing serious physical or mental harm to members of the group
  • Deliberately trying to cause full or partial physical destruction of the group
  • Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
  • Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

An act that may fall under this offence would be the overseas case of the Jonestown mass murder-suicide in 1978.

Under the orders of the religious cult leader Jim Jones, more than 900 people committed suicide by drinking a beverage mixed with cyanide which is a poisonous and deadly substance. They had also killed a United States Congressman and several journalists.

The punishment for genocide is life imprisonment or up to 20 years’ jail. If the offence involves killing another person, the punishment is death

What Can You Do If You Think You’ve Joined a Religious Cult?

First, check if the religious group you have joined is registered with the Registry of Societies. If you suspect you have joined a religious cult, stop all involvement with them and leave as soon as possible.

This is because religious cults that are unregistered societies or that engage in unlawful activities are illegal in Singapore, as mentioned above, and attending such meetings can be an offence.

Keep in mind that there are also many other offences and harsh penalties associated with the activities of religious cults, including the possession of objectionable or prohibited publications or inciting hostility among other religious groups.

If you have been involved in a religious cult and have been charged with any of the offences stated in this article, you may want to engage a criminal lawyer.

A criminal lawyer has considerable expertise and experience and is trained to advise you on whether your involvement would likely attract a criminal offence. A criminal lawyer would also be able to advise you on your next best course of action and to represent you in court if necessary.

You can contact experienced criminal lawyers here.

Arrest and Investigation
  1. Singapore’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: What Does It Mean?
  2. Your Right to a Lawyer After Being Arrested in Singapore
  3. What to Do If Your Loved One is Under Police Investigation
  4. How to Write a Letter of Representation to AGC in Singapore
  5. What is Entrapment and is It Legal in Singapore?
  6. What Happens When You Voluntarily Surrender to the Police
  7. Juvenile Crime: What If Your Child is Arrested in Singapore?
  8. Tasers, Batons, Shields & Firearms: When Do the Police Use Them?
  9. Stopped by the Singapore Police For Spot Checks, Etc: What to Do
  10. Police Investigation Process for Crimes in Singapore (4 Steps)
  11. Arrest Warrant Issued Against You in Singapore: What to Do
  12. Police Arrest Procedure in Singapore
  13. Arrestable and Non-Arrestable Offences in Singapore
  14. What Should You Do If You Witness a Crime in Singapore?
  15. Can the Public Make a Citizen's Arrest in Singapore?
  16. What to Do If You’re Being Investigated for a Criminal Offence in Singapore
  17. "Right to Remain Silent" to Singapore Police: Does It Exist?
  18. Police Custody in Singapore: What You Should Know
  19. Search Warrant: The Issuance and Execution of It in Singapore
  20. Penalties for Lying to the Authorities in Singapore
  21. Can You Say No to a Lie Detector Test in Singapore? And Other FAQs
  22. Surrender of Passport to the Police and How to Get It Back
  23. Extradition: What If I Flee After Committing Crime in Singapore
Bail
  1. The Essential Guide to Bail and Personal Bonds in Singapore
Prosecution
  1. What is Private Prosecution?
  2. Magistrate’s Complaints, Private Summons and Private Prosecutions in Singapore
  3. Prosecutorial Discretion in Singapore
  4. Composition Offers and Fines for Criminal Offences in Singapore
  5. Plea Bargaining in Singapore: All You Need to Know
During Criminal Proceedings
  1. Making Objections at Trial in the Singapore Courts
  2. When is a Witness Testimony Unreliable in Singapore?
  3. Burden of Proof in Criminal and Civil Cases in Singapore
  4. Falsely Accused of a Crime in Singapore: Your Next Steps
  5. What is Acquittal & How Can One Be Acquitted in Singapore?
  6. Using the Defence of Diminished Responsibility in Singapore
  7. Death of a Party in a Legal Case in Singapore: What Happens?
  8. The "Unusually Convincing" Test in "He Said, She Said" Cases
  9. How to Adjourn or Postpone a Criminal Court Hearing
  10. TIC: Guide to Charges Taken Into Consideration in Singapore
  11. Can I Use the Defence of Intoxication in Singapore?
  12. When Can I Raise the Defence of Provocation in Singapore?
  13. Writing Character References For Court: What’s Their Purpose?
  14. Can I Represent Myself in a Criminal Court Case in Singapore and How?
  15. Claiming Trial as an Accused
  16. Pleading Guilty in Singapore: Consequences & Withdrawal of Plea
  17. The Defence of Unsound Mind in Singapore: What is It?
  18. Gag Orders in Singapore: Whose Identity Can be Protected?
  19. Mitigation Plea: How to Plead for Leniency in Court in Singapore
After Criminal Proceedings
  1. Recidivism: What Happens If You Reoffend in Singapore?
  2. Guide to Filing a Criminal Appeal in Singapore
  3. Criminal Motion: What is It and How to File One in Singapore
  4. Guide to Filing a Criminal Revision in Singapore
  5. Presidential Clemency in Singapore
  6. Repatriation or Deportation from Singapore: How Does It Work?
  7. Criminal Records in Singapore
  8. Visiting a Loved One in Prison or On Death Row in Singapore
  9. Getting Parole (Early Prison Release) in Singapore
Types of Sentences After Committing an Offence
  1. Fined for an Offence: What to Do If I Can't Afford to Pay Them?
  2. How Long Is Life Imprisonment in Singapore? And Other FAQs
  3. Corrective Training and Its Consequences in Singapore
  4. Consequences of Receiving a Stern Warning in Singapore
  5. Probation: Eligibility and Whether It Leaves a Criminal Record
  6. How Can Adult Offenders Get Probation in Singapore?
  7. Reformative Training in Singapore: When Will It be Ordered?
  8. Are You Eligible for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO)?
  9. Caning in Singapore: Judicial, School & Parental Corporal Punishment
  10. 7 Detention Orders in Singapore: When Will They be Ordered?
  11. Day Reporting Order: Eligibility and Offender's Obligations
Being a Victim
  1. Ragging and Bullying: Their Penalties and What Victims Can Do
  2. Laws Protecting Informers/Whistleblowers in Singapore
  3. Counterfeit Medicine/Health Products: Redress for Victims in Singapore
  4. Breach of Protection Orders: What Can Victims Do?
  5. Using Your Right to Self-Defence When Attacked in Singapore
  6. Compensation for Crime Victims in Singapore: How to Obtain
Offences Against the Human Body
  1. Voluntarily Causing Hurt Penalties in Singapore (Non-Arrestable)
  2. Murder vs Culpable Homicide in Singapore (and Penalties)
  3. Is Suicide Illegal in Singapore? Will I Be Punished for Trying?
  4. Kidnapping Scam: Penalties & Responding to a ‘Kidnap Call/Text'
Sexual Offences
  1. Rape Laws in Singapore and How Offenders Can Be Punished
  2. Sexual Misconduct in Singapore: Offences and What Victims Can Do
  3. Falsely Accused of Rape in Singapore: What to Do
  4. Incest and Family Sexual Abuse: Penalties and Victim Protection
  5. How are Sexual Offenders with Special Needs Penalised?
  6. Cybersexual Crimes in Singapore and Their Penalties
  7. Legal Age for Sex in Singapore and Common Sexual Offences
  8. Consent in Sexual Offences in Singapore and What Victims Can Do
  9. Accused of Molest: Outrage of Modesty in Singapore
  10. What Can Victims of Sexual Harassment in Singapore Do?
  11. What is the Law on Sexting in Singapore?
  12. Revenge Porn: What If Your Nudes are Leaked in Singapore?
  13. Crime of Voyeurism in Singapore (Penalties and Defences)
  14. Date Rape: What to Do If Your Drink Has Been Unlawfully Spiked?
  15. STDs: Can I Go to the Police If a Partner Infected Me in Singapore?
Vice-Related Offences
  1. Alcohol Breathalyser Test in Singapore: Can You Refuse it?
  2. Are Sex Toys and Sex Dolls Legal in Singapore?
  3. Singapore's Legal Smoking Age & Common Smoking Offences
  4. Is Vaping Illegal in Singapore?
  5. Legal Drinking Age and Drinking-Related Laws in Singapore
  6. Is Watching, Downloading or Filming Porn Illegal in Singapore?
  7. Child Pornography in Singapore: Offences and Penalties
  8. Laws on Procuring Sex Workers & Sexual Services in Singapore
  9. Singapore's Drug Laws: Possession, Consumption and Trafficking
  10. Gambling Legally (at Home, in Public or Online) in Singapore
  11. The Offence of Human Trafficking in Singapore and Its Penalties
Property Offences
  1. Penalties For Buying Stolen Goods in Singapore
  2. Penalties for Committing Theft in Singapore
  3. Committing Robbery in Singapore: What are the Penalties?
  4. Penalties for Dishonest Misappropriation of Property in Singapore
  5. Vandalism Laws: Penalties for Damaging Property in Singapore
  6. Criminal Trespass in Singapore: What Happens If You’re Caught?
  7. Penalties for Littering and Killer Litter Offences in Singapore
Cybercrime
  1. What is a POFMA Correction Direction and How to Appeal
  2. Penalties for Cheating/Scamming and What Victims Can Do
  3. Penalties for Impersonating Someone and Victim Redress
  4. Singapore Fake News Laws: Guide to POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act)
  5. Laws and Penalties for Doxxing in Singapore (With Examples)
White-Collar Crimes
  1. Tax Evasion in Singapore: Penalties and Examples
  2. Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in Singapore: What is It?
  3. All You Need to Know About Corruption in Singapore
  4. Anti-Money Laundering Laws and You
  5. 5 Things You Need to Know about Insider Trading
  6. Dishonest Assistance and Knowing Receipt: The Case of David Rasif
Road Offences
  1. Charged with a Traffic Offence in Singapore: What to Do
  2. DUI: Here are the Penalties for Drink-Driving in Singapore
  3. What Happens If You’re Caught Speeding in Singapore?
  4. Road Rage: What is It and How are Offenders Sentenced in Singapore
  5. Penalties for Dangerous Driving for Singapore Drivers
  6. Fatal Traffic Accidents: Are Drivers Always Punished?
  7. Guide to E-Scooter and PMD Laws for Singapore Riders
  8. Is it Legal for Drivers to Carpool in Singapore?
Animal-Related Offences
  1. Taxidermy of Animals in Singapore: Is It Legal?
  2. Legal and Illegal Pets in Singapore (HDB/Private Property)
  3. Is It Illegal to Feed Stray Animals in Singapore?
  4. Singapore Animal Abuse Offences, Penalties & How to Report
Offences Relating to Public Peace and Good Order
  1. Radicalisation and Terror Attack-Related Penalties in Singapore
  2. Causing a Public Nuisance in Singapore: What are the Penalties?
  3. Causing Public Alarm in Singapore: Examples & Penalties
  4. Public Assemblies and Processions in Singapore
  5. Misbehaving in Public: 5 Things You Need to Know
  6. Racial Enmity: Sections 298 and 298A Penal Code Explained
  7. Religious Cults in Singapore: Are they Illegal? Penalties & More
  8. Penalties for Financing Terrorist Operations in Singapore
Gang and Riot-related Offences
  1. Penalties for Unlawful Assembly and Rioting in Singapore
  2. Is Joining a Gang Illegal in Singapore?: Being Recruited and Penalties
  3. Organised Crimes: Penalties/Orders Syndicates Face in Singapore
Marriage-Related Offences
  1. Bigamy: Is It Legal to Marry a Married Person in Singapore?
  2. Marriage Offences in Singapore Involving Minors, Same-Sex, Etc.
  3. What are Sham Marriages and Are They Illegal in Singapore?
Certificate of Clearance
  1. How Do You Apply for a Certificate of Clearance in Singapore?
Other Criminal Offences
  1. Penalties for Abetting Minors or Committing Crimes Against Them
  2. Misusing the Singapore Flag and Other National Symbols
  3. Here are the Penalties for Committing Forgery in Singapore
  4. Arson and Fire-Related Offences and Their Penalties in Singapore
  5. Offences Against the Dead and What Family Members Can Do
  6. Laws on Prohibited, Replica and Self-Defence Weapons
  7. Penalties for Attempting to Commit a Crime in Singapore
  8. Penalties for Assaulting a Person in Singapore
  9. Expats Charged With Offences in Singapore: What to Expect
  10. What are the Penalties for Hiring Phantom Workers in Singapore?
  11. What Are Ponzi Schemes? Are They Illegal in Singapore?
  12. Modification of Cars, Motorcycles, Etc: Is It Legal in Singapore?
  13. Penalties for Illegal Immigration and Overstaying in Singapore
  14. Criminal Intimidation: Penalties for Making Threats in Singapore