Religious Freedom and Control in the Unified Germany: Governmental Approaches to Alternative Religions Since 1989
This article describes German governmental reactions to anti-cult fears during the decade after the unification of the two German states in 1990. The government and parliament reacted to a public panic when in 1996 a Commission of Inquiry into so-called sects was instigated. While the working of thi...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2003
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| In: |
Sociology of religion
Year: 2003, Volume: 64, Issue: 3, Pages: 367-375 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (JSTOR) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article describes German governmental reactions to anti-cult fears during the decade after the unification of the two German states in 1990. The government and parliament reacted to a public panic when in 1996 a Commission of Inquiry into so-called sects was instigated. While the working of this commission contributed to the cooling down of public emotions, it did not fundamentally change the negative view of new religious movements (NRMs) in German society. Federal and state administrations still attempt to restrict the propagation of alternative religions. The limits set by the Constitution and decisions of the Federal Constitutional Court protect religious minorities against excessive discrimination. However, officials and politicians usually share the common perception of NRMs as potentially dangerous and therefore undesirable groups. It is argued that discrimination of religious minorities is due not to deficiencies of the constitutional order, but to cultural values disrespecting religious commitment. |
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| ISSN: | 1759-8818 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Sociology of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/3712490 |