The German Enquete Commission on Sects: Political Conflicts and Compromises

This paper deals with the Enquete commission on sects & cults established by the German Bundestag (federal parliament) from 1996 to 1998. The author, who was appointed as an expert member of the commission, explains the public pressure leading to its establishment & the political considerati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social justice research 1999-12, Vol.12 (4), p.323-340
Main Author: Seiwert, Hubert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Church & state
Commissions
Cults
Federal Republic of Germany
Germany
Legislation
Legislative Bodies
Minority Groups
Political Culture
Politics
Religion & politics
Religion Politics Relationship
Religious cults
Religious Cultural Groups
Religious movements
Sects
Social justice
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Summary:This paper deals with the Enquete commission on sects & cults established by the German Bundestag (federal parliament) from 1996 to 1998. The author, who was appointed as an expert member of the commission, explains the public pressure leading to its establishment & the political considerations restricting its work. Although the majority of the commission were convinced of the harmful nature of cults, it was not possible to find any evidence of unlawful activities. Scientific research authorized by the commission modified the prevailing view of the dangerous influence of new religious movements. The final report of the commission is a political compromise denying any danger to the state & society posed by cults, but at the same time it demands new legislation to deal with them. 24 References. Adapted from the source document.
ISSN:0885-7466
1573-6725
DOI:10.1023/A:1022069008737