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\f4\fs20\lang2057 {\b\f0\fs22 Mikael Rothstein mag.art., Ph.D.}{\b\f0\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f0\fs22 Institute for the History of Religions, University of Cnpenhagen}{\f0\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f0\fs22 Njalsgade 80 DK\_2300 S. Denmark. 
\par Tlf: }{\f3 45+35328811 Fax:45+31543211}{\f3\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f3 Copenhagen, Denmark 2.8.1994}{\f3\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f3 To whom it may concern}{\f3\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f3 It has come to my knowledge that Deutschen Bundesministerium fur}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 Frauen und Jugend is preparing a "Warnschrift" regarding The}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
known as the Hare Krishna\_movement. I have obtained a copy of the}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 report behind this initiative, and as a scholar with six years of}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 research\_experience with the Krishna\_community, I shall hereby}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
give this brief statement.}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 First, however, let me emphasise that I am not a member of}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 ISKCON, nor do I share the religious beliefs of the group. I am a}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 historian of religions with the Institute for the History of}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
Religions at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, especially}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 engaged in studies of contemporary, new religions in the West.}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 From a scholarly or scientific point of view the allegations}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 against ISKCON are wrong and delusive. Academic research has}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 established that people join ISKCON voluntarily, that they leave}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
the organisation when they no longer find it attractive, and that}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 the psychological and physical health among the members is normal.}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 In general terms this means that ISKCON should be recognised as}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 one among many religious organisations and that the members}{\f3\fs16  s}{\f3 hould be guaranteed all the privileges of religious and personal}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 liberty.
}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 The accusations now launched against ISKCON, are apparently}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 derived from the notions of the so called Anti\_Cult Movement, and}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 from a scholarly point of view, they are are beyond every}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 reasonable
 judgement. As the scientific documentation of the}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 nature of the Krishna movement is easily obtained, also in}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 Germany, it would be irresponsible to base any conclusions on the non-scholarly materials alone. The report 
(Ref 213, 213\_2007\_104}{\f3\fs16 ) lacks elem}{\f3 entary 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}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
well as rituals. Hence, a charicature of the group is drawn,}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 rather than a true image of this religion.}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 Of course this statement expresses my personal point of view,}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 but I would like to add that the same opinion is shared by}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 internationally renowned scholars who have studied the Krishna movement
 for decades. The Anti Cult movement itself is subjected}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 to scholarly scrutiny. One of the sad conclusions in that kind of}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 research is that the propagande of the anti\_cultists }{\f3\ul does}{\f3  affect}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 
civil leaders and authorities. I recommend academic analysis as a}{\f3\fs16  }{\f3 wiser companion.}{\f3\fs16 
\par 
\par }{\f3 Yours sincerely}{\f3\fs16 
\par }{\f3 Dr. Mikael Rothstein}{\f3\fs16 
\par }}