Low Risk Groups Operating in Australia

Cults With a Little "c"

Renée's Cult Ranking System, aims to separate the wheat from the chaff. This means that while some groups may attract the term "cult", they are not necessarily destructive or harmful. For example, popular personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Steve Irwin, and Fred Hollows may be described as having cult followers but their influence is generally considered to be positive.

A group may hold quirky, strange, or even bizarre ideologies, but if no one is being harmed, then it's a matter of personal choice. Basic human rights affirm that everyone is entitled to "freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right includes freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one's religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance." This principle establishes the dividing line of "freedom of religion" (italic emphasis is mine).

Amway

Also known as Quixtar, Alticor (parent company), and Amway Global

RCR

Anthroposophy

Also known as Waldorf or Steiner Philosophy

RCR

Australian Aboriginal Communities

RCR

Catholic Church

Also known as Roman Catholic Church, Holy Catholic Church, Latin Church, Universal Church, or Western Church

RCR

Church of England

Also known as the Anglican Church

RCR

Conservative Judaism

Also known as Masorti Judaism, Historical Judaism, or Traditional Judaism

RCR

Dharmaguptaka

Also known as Dharmagupta

RCR

Eastern Orthodox Church

Also known as Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Orthodox Christian Church, Orthodox Catholic Church, Eastern Christianity, Byzantine Church, and Holy Orthodox Church

RCR

Freeman on the Land

Also known as Sovereign Citizens, Sovereign Movement, or Freemen Movement

RCR

Gelug School (New Kadampa Tradition)

Also known as International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT—IKBU)

RCR

Herbalife

Also known as Herbalife Nutrition, Herbalife International, Herbalife Wellness, and Herbalife Products

RCR

Hillsong Church

RCR

Lutheran Church

RCR

Mahayana

Also known as The Great Vehicle, Bodhisattvayana, Northern Buddhism or Eastern Buddhism. Close affiliation with Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism:

RCR

Modern Wicca

Also known as Witchcraft, Witchery, The Craft, Paganism (though this term encompasses broader practices), and Neo-Paganism

RCR

Nikaya

Also known as Early Buddhism or Mainstream Buddhism; is part of Theravada Buddhism

RCR

Orthodox Judaism

Also known as Torah Judaism, Traditional Judaism, Observant Judaism, Halachic Judaism, Rabbinic Judaism, Haredi Judaism, or Modern Orthodox Judaism

RCR

Paganism in Australia

Also known as Wicca, Druidism, Heathenry, neo-pagan, or pre-Christian beliefs

RCR

Pentecostal Church

Also known as Pentecostal Movement, Pentecostalism, Charismatic Movement, Full Gospel Movement, Spirit-filled Movement, and Apostolic Faith Movement

RCR

Presbyterian Church

Also known as Reformed Church

RCR

Quakers

Also known as Religious Society of Friends

RCR

Reformed Judaism

Also known as Reform Judaism, Progressive Judaism, Liberal Judaism, Liberal Reform Judaism, Progressive Reform, and Judaism

RCR

Sedenborgian Church

Also known as The Church of New Jerusalem

RCR

Shai Islam

Also known as Shi'i, Shi'ism, Shiite Islam, or Shia Muslims

RCR

Shaivism

Also known as Shaiva tradition, Shaiva Siddhanta, Shaivaite, Shaiva Sampradaya, and Shivaism

RCR

Sikhs

Also known as Sikhism, Sikh people, Khalsa, Panth, and Gurmukh

RCR

Smartism

Also known as Smarta Tradition, Panchaayatana Puja, or Smarta Sampradaya

RCR

Sufi Islam

Also known as Sufism, Tasawwuf, Mystical Islam, Ihsan, Ruhaniyyat, or Tariqa

RCR

Sukyo Mahikari

Also known as Mahikari or Light of God

RCR

Sunni Islam

Also known as Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ah, Sunni Muslims, or Sunnism

RCR

Theosophy

Also known as Esoteric Christianity, Divine Wisdom, Theosophical Society, or Occult Philosophy

RCR

Theravada

Also known as Hinayana Buddhism, The Doctrine of the Elders, Southern Buddhism, Pali Buddhism, and Small Vehicle Buddhism

RCR

Uniting Church

Also known as UCA, Uniting, Uniting Community, or Uniting Congregation

RCR

Vaihnavism

Also known as Vishnuism, Bhagavata tradition, Sri Vaishnavism, Pancharatra tradition, and Narayana tradition

RCR

Vipassana in Australia

Also known as Insight Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Satipatthana, Anapanasati. or Panna

RCR

Zoroastrian Community in Australia

Also known as Parsi

RCR