10.17192/mjr.2001.6.3742 Kent, Stephan A. Stephan A. Kent THE FRENCH AND GERMAN VERSUS AMERICAN DEBATE OVER 'NEW RELIGIONS' , SCIENTOLOGY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS Marburg Journal of Religion : Vol 6 No 1 (2001) Philipps-Universität Marburg 2001 Institute for Comparative Cultural Research - Study of Religions and Anthropology 2015-08-25 2015-08-25 en JournalArticle https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0004/2001/123/3742 urn:nbn:de:hebis:04-0004-2001-123-37427 https://doi.org/10.17192/mjr.2001.6.1 https://journals.uni-marburg.de/0004/2001/123/3742/3742.png 1612-2941 application/pdf This article critically examines the allegations of religious intolerance that United States officials and governmental staff have leveled against France and Germany (along with other European countries) for their policies on, and actions toward, Scientology and other controversial groups. It argues that American officials appear to be poorly informed about the bases for the Europeans' critical positions, and that those officials have been the recipients of selective information provided by Scientology itself along with Scientology's supporters. It concludes by offering a preliminary analysis of this Euro-American debate in the context of 'international social movements' theory within the social sciences. 1612-2941 Marburg Journal of Religion Vol 6 No 1 (2001)