Anticultism in Europe: The Figure of Friedrich Wilhelm Haack and the Origins of the Fight Against “New Religions”
In recent decades, the phenomenon of anticultism has gained significant relevance in Europe, shaping the way society perceives and addresses new religious expressions. A key figure in this movement has been Friedrich Wilhelm Haack, a German Lutheran pastor and anticult ideologue who greatly influenced Europe in the latter half of the 20th century. Haack’s history and ideas reveal a tradition of resistance against movements considered dangerous to morality and social stability, carried out through controversial and often concealed approaches. Friedrich Wilhelm Haack: Ideologue and Anticultist Born in 1935, Friedrich Wilhelm Haack began his education in East Germany. After a brief period working as a lab assistant, he moved to West Germany, where he studied journalism and theology, earning his theology diploma in 1962. He later taught and took up a pastoral role in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. During his career, he founded the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Religions- und Weltanschauungsfra...