Benjamin Gilman: “I first became aware of the problem of religious minorities in Germany well over a year ago when I had the opportunity…”

“I first became aware of the problem of religious minorities in Germany well over a year ago when I had the opportunity to visit with American citizens about the problems that their coreligionists had in Germany. I have had the opportunity to discuss this on several occasions with German Government officials. I have raised this issue in the context of my profound respect for Germany as a friend of the United States. More than a friend, it has become an especially close ally and, in addition, a country that has done a great deal in recent years to protect and uphold human rights around the world. This matter may distress our German friends. But we must be frank with friends. The German Government perceives Scientology and certain other religious minorities as dangerous or not valuable to their society and as not having the right to the same privileges as other religions. I am sympathetic with German concerns that its history requires that its society be vigilantly protected against totalitarianism. We are all too familiar with how small organizations can grow into important threats to human rights and world peace. Let me be clear. I have criticized some of the tactics of the Church of Scientology in its public relations campaign against Germany. The use of Nazi imagery by the church or its supporters to characterize the present Government of Germany is improper and unacceptable.”