The Dialog Center (DCI) is a Christian counter-cult organization founded by a Danish professor of missiology and ecumenical theology, Dr. Johannes Aagaard (1928-2007^[1]). Considered Christian apologetic and missionary minded, the Dialog Center, led by Prof. Aagaard was for many years the main source of information in Denmark on cults, sects, and new religious movements. The Christian countercult movement, also known as discernment ministries is the collective designation for many mostly unrelated ministries and individual Christians who oppose non-mainstream Christian and non-Christian religious groups, which they often call cults. ... Missiology, or mission science, is the area of practical theology which investigates the mandate, message and work of the Christian missionary. ... The word ecumenism (also oecumenism, Å“cumenism) is derived from Greek (oikoumene), which means the inhabited world, and was historically used with specific reference to the Roman Empire. ... At Wikiversity you can learn more and teach others about Theology at: The School of Theology Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods. ... Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position. ... A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... This article does not discuss cult in its original sense of religious practice; for that usage see Cult (religious practice). ... A sect is generally a small religious or political group that has branched off from a larger established group. ... A new religious movement or NRM appears as a religious, ethical or spiritual grouping that has not (yet) become recognised as a standard denomination, church, or body, especially when it has a novel belief system and when it is not a sect. ...

In recent years Danish secular scholars of religion led by religious historian Mikael Rothstein have begun to provide an alternative and somewhat contrary viewpoint. Rothstein cooperates with Eileen Barker and Massimo Introvigne.^{[citation needed]} They tend to see new religious movements more as persecuted religious minorities that have the same right to practice their faith as mainstream religions. History of Buddhism History of Christianity History of Eastern Orthodox Christianity History of Hinduism History of Islam History of Judaism History of Protestantism History of Rastafarianism History of Roman Catholicism History of Santeria History of Shintoism See also Religion Categories: Religion ... Eileen Barker is a professor in sociology and is an emeritus member of the London School of Economics, and a consultant to that institutions Centre for the Study of Human Rights at. ... Massimo Introvigne (b. ... It has been suggested that Historical persecution by Christians#Theological debate of persecution be merged into this article or section. ... In sociology and in voting theory, a minority is a sub-group that is outnumbered by persons who do not belong to it. ...

The Dialog Center, while agreeing in principle^{[citation needed]}, tends to take somewhat of a more critical view on New Religious Movements and focus on the problems that occur if they violate the law. Additionally, it recognises that the techniques employed in some sects may have more subtle psychological effects than would be expected from treating them on a par with 'mainstream religions' (see the article on the Scientology controversy for an example of the complex claims and counterclaims encountered in this field). This article examines controversial issues involving Scientology and its affiliated organizations. ...

The Dialog Center works together with countercult organizations abroad like the Spiritual Counterfeits Project (see Tal Brooke) in United States, etc. The Dialog Center International is a loose network of centers in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Russia.^{[citation needed]} The Spiritual Counterfeits Project (also known as SCP) is a prominent Christian evangelical parachurch organisation located in Berkeley, California. ... Tal Brooke (born as Robert Taliaferro Brooke) is the chairperson of the Spiritual Counterfeits Project, a Christian countercult and apologetics organization. ...

External links

• Dialog Center International

References

1. ^ Obituary, 23 March 2007

See also

• Category:Cults
• List of anti-cult organizations and individuals