Great Construction
Spiritual Impulses to a U.S.-U.S.S.R. Thaw
In the world at present, among the sufferings of humanity too numerous to count, there should be no need to declare that the anguish which occupies the top position is the issue of the relations between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It is in this sense that, if all the problems between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were to disappear and Truman was to shake hands with Stalin, immeasurable would be both the extent of humanity’s salvation and how bright the world would become.
We well understand that having voiced such an expectation, we would be considered more than a little bit crazy, the idea impossible, and not taken seriously. However, to think that there is no possibility of such a realization is because such an outlook is based on the premise of a continuance of the current situation, so in the world of today where we see, as in a kaleidoscope, rapid advances even every day, how the world will change from now on is highly unpredictable. There is no way for human beings to know what will happen in the long run when they cannot even predict the near future. Such knowledge is only known to God who presides over the world, something that even those of no faith should probably be able to imagine.
Thus, we firmly believe in what is at present thought to be an unimaginable vision. This is spiritual inspiration given only to those of faith.
Of course, as we do expect realization of that goal, we apply ourselves to the utmost of our wisdom and enthusiasm and efforts toward the initiation of a great movement for this purpose.
Indeed, recently have arisen movements for the peace of humanity such as UNESCO and Moral-Armament which are quite competent and most appropriate for the times, and we do not stint in giving our blessings, but at their basis there can be no valid means other than the realization of a thaw in U.S.-U.S.S.R. relations. One factor is that the two movements and the nation named above are, apart from the Soviet Union, anti-communist, and as long as they remain so, even if successful, their efforts will not result in fundamental resolution of the issue. The threat from the Soviet Union will probably remain. Not only that. There is the danger that the threat may increase. In this sense, all the nations of the world apart from the Soviet Union should form a coalition with arms to maintain defense and undertake a peace offensive towards Stalin and the Soviet people.
What I mean above by a peace offensive is a great union of all the world’s religions starting with Christianity. A tremendous movement in which hundreds of millions of the believers of all the religions of the world unite for the first time in history. Those not affiliated with religion as well could of course give their assistance. If a third world war, the greatest threat to all of humanity, could be prevented, surely it would be a conspicuously cheap sacrifice.
To offer from one corner of the small, defeated nation of Japan, the presentation of such an outrageous essay could perhaps be considered, in Japanese terms, the height of presumptuousness, but as even we ourselves are one part of humanity, we do appeal to all the world for prayers that embrace the welfare of all humanity.
Hikari, Issue 30, page 1, October 8, 1949
translated by cynndd
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“Beiso Yūwa no Reikan,” originally published on the front page of Hikari, Issue 30, October 8, 1949, and reprinted shortly after Meishu-sama’s Ascension in the essays anthology for ministers Sekai Meshiya Kyō Seiten, Shakaihen, Geijutsuhen (Sacred Texts of the Church of World Messianity, Volume on Art, Volume on Society), page 261, September 1, 1955, has not, as far as is known, appeared in translation.