Great Construction

Criticism by Imagination

     Newspapers and magazines have published a variety of critical articles about the Japan Kannon Church, but most of these pieces, as readers know, treat the Church as a superstition and as a heretical religion. Almost none of those who write such articles do any investigating at all. It is egregious because these articles are imaginary products based on rumors floating throughout society. To think about it, this is indeed irresponsible. Of course, because religion deals with that which is akin to air, that which cannot be seen with the eye, using the imagination is probably easier, but journalists ought to take more serious responsibility for their work, investigating and studying our activities to the utmost of their ability. Not all the new religions should necessarily be superstitious. Among them, there are certainly those that are of benefit to the general populace. There are probably quite a number of persons continuing to anguish in misfortune who have lost their chance for salvation because of the irresponsibility of journalists. In which case, the sin for causing others to lose their chance for salvation lies of course with frivolous articles in the newspapers.
     To this point, today indeed the most ridiculous line of argument that journalists take is on the one hand lamenting the deterioration of the nation’s mental health, while on the other hand saying that only religion can help save this situation. Because they declare that we are superstitious and a heretical religion which must be eliminated, nothing is so contradictory. When thought about in this way, they are only referring to the old, existing religions. But, as all know, in Japan there is an enormous number of existing religions, and in spite of hundreds of years, although these religions have continued to work as diligently as possible to save souls, they have not been able to stop the deterioration of society, so it should have already been amply demonstrated that existing religions do not have the power to prevent social ills. zs
     When we think of what the above means, should not there be nothing to do but look for something other than existing religions? As I have just explained, however, those working in the newspapers and the authorities have decided that there is nothing above the existing religions, and because from the very beginning they look at anything new through colored glasses, the improvement of the nation’s mental health will be beyond contemplation as long as they do not perceive their fallacious outlook. In this sense, we offer an opinion about the journalistic methodology described above. That is, among the new religions, leave the very small ones alone, but for those organizations that have come to the forefront of attention, make it a point to study them, and from those, select the religions that are superior, and offer them your support.
     To stop the deterioration of the nation’s mental health I declare that there is no other way than through this process. 

 Hikari, Issue 8, May 8, 1949
translated by cynndd