Great Construction

Let Criticism Be Fair

     In the current tenor of the times one point to which we cannot acquiesce is that even when results show the Johrei of World Messianity to be effective, there are instances when the result is held to be merely an unexpected coincidence. Still, we are showered with censure, and yet, to the contrary, when doctors fail in some way, it is treated as something natural and not one word of blame is heaped upon them unless their failure is quite blatant. These facts show just how callously and cold-heartedly is treated the healing of sickness by religion. Such heartlessness is not limited to the example cited above. The following also often occurs. To wit, when Johrei is administered while under the care of a doctor, if there is a failure, the doctor is not blamed and the guilt is attributed to World Messianity. But, if successful, the recovery is not interpreted as being due to the Johrei of World Messianity but to the medical treatment that the time had come for healing. Each time this occurs we feel how strongly rooted in society is the conviction that disease will absolutely not be healed unless medical treatment and medicines are used. Another example is when medical treatment has not helped and their condition has worsened, patients come to World Messianity out of desperation.
     On these occasions there are few exceptions to the fact that those around the sufferers say that faith healing and such are superstitions so they should stop and urge the patient to continue with medical treatment. This deep belief in the efficacy of medical science is in no way inferior to that of the followers of superstitious cults. But the fact that people cannot stop relying on medical science even when it cannot heal and that they feel compelled to label faith healing a superstitious cult, that these quite obvious facts are not understood show how deep is the superstition of materialistic science. Of course, that at these times, sufferers full of doubt, suspicion, and fear, receive Johrei amid the ever increasing attacks of opposition from those around them and that their condition takes a turn for the better with wonderful results from Johrei is reported in the countless testimonials that we publish.
     The above well shows that there are no grounds for the statements made by members of the general public when they say that Johrei heals because one believes in it or else that suggestion has a powerful effect. Rather, the opposite is true, so there is nothing but to acknowledge the efficacy, not of self-power, but of other-power. What we always lament is the tragedy that is self-inflicted when diseases that could be healed, are not; when people who could be helped, lose their lives; when fates that could be saved, are abandoned. The causes of such losses are of course due to not recognizing the facts. There is nothing so unfortunate as being completely captive to traditional concepts.

Hikari, Issue 46, page 1, January 21, 1950
translated by cynndd

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“Hihan wa Kōhei de Are,” after its publication on the front page of Hikari, Issue 46, January 21, 1950, was never anthologized either while Meishu-sama was still alive or after his death.