Dialog Center International
The Dialog Center International is a Christian counter-cult organization founded in 1973 by a Danish professor of missiology and ecumenical theology, Dr. Johannes Aagaard. Considered Christian apologetic and missionary minded, the Center, led by Prof. Aagaard was for many years the main source of information in Denmark on cults, sects, and new religious movements. The Dialog Center is firmly against religious beliefs of cults but promotes dialog between cult members and their families. It rejects deprograming, believing that it is counterproductive, ineffective, and can harm the relationship between a cult member and concerned family members. It is active in 20 countries. In Asia it also tries to share Christianity with Buddhists.
According to According to Mikael Rothstein, an associate professor of religious history at the University of Copenhagen, the Dialog Center International has been greatly influential in promoting a negative public opinion of cults in Denmark and other countries in Europe. Aagaard regarded Scientology as being especially dangerous, but later in his life stated that Islam was an even greater threat. Other concerns included Satanism and New Age groups. He retired from leading the Center in 2002.
In 2012, the new president of DCI, Lutheran priest Thomas Gandow, was awarded Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
