Abstract
This article was conceived as a supplement to an empirical study of new religious movements which was conducted in the Federal Republic of Germany. The empirical study as well as the "national" reports were undertaken because of the concern about the new groups which has arisen in some of the governmental agencies. The controversy about the new religions presents a delimma for the German government. On the one hand there is a constitutional guarantee for religions freedom and on the other there are similar obligations to protect youth and the institution of the family.