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Mikael Rothstein mag.art. , Ph.D. 
Institute for the History of Religions,
University of Copenhagen
Njalsgade 80 DK\ 2300 S. Denmark.
Copenhagen, Denmark 2.8.1994
To whom it may concern
It has come to my knowledge that Deutschen
Bundesministerium fur Frauen und Jugend is preparing a "Warnschrift"
regarding The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON),
also known as the Hare Krishna movement. I have obtained a copy
of the report behind this initiative, and as a scholar with six
years of research experience with the Krishna community, I shall
hereby give this brief statement.
First, however, let me emphasise that I am not a member of ISKCON,
nor do I share the religious beliefs of the group. I am a historian
of religions with the Institute for the History of Religions at
the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, especially engaged in studies
of contemporary, new religions in the West.
From a scholarly or scientific point of view the allegations against
ISKCON are wrong and delusive. Academic research has established
that people join ISKCON voluntarily, that they leave the organisation
when they no longer find it attractive, and that the psychological
and physical health among the members is normal.
In general terms this means that ISKCON should be recognised as
one among many religious organisations and that the members should
be guaranteed all the privileges of religious and personal liberty.
The accusations now launched against ISKCON, are apparently derived
from the notions of the so called Anti Cult Movement, and from a
scholarly point of view, they are are beyond every reasonable judgement.
As the scientific documentation of the nature of the Krishna movement
is easily obtained, also in Germany, it would be irresponsible to
base any conclusions on the non-scholarly materials alone. The report
(Ref 213, 213 2007 104 lacks elementary knowledge of religion as
a phenomenon in general, and of ISKCON in particular. It presents
individual opinions as official ISKCON policy and misses the meaning
behind beliefs as well as rituals. Hence, a charicature of the group
is drawn, rather than a true image of this religion.
Of course this statement expresses my personal point of view, but
I would like to add that the same opinion is shared by internationally
renowned scholars who have studied the Krishna movement for decades.
The Anti Cult movement itself is subjected to scholarly scrutiny.
One of the sad conclusions in that kind of research is that the
propagande of the anti-cultists does affect civil leaders and authorities.
I recommend academic analysis as a wiser companion.
Yours sincerely
Dr. Mikael Rothstein
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