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     In general, there is no doubt that from the common point of view deeds such as those which aim to promote the welfare of society or to make people happy are good things, so it is true human nature to praise such actions and want to help. But quite unfathomable to me is the cool, sometimes icy behavior of people. There is rather a large amount of such people. Their unvarnished sentiment is disregard for the world and for people. Efforts on behalf of others are wasted and acts for self and personal benefit are sufficient. These are the smartest things to do. These individuals seem to believe it is impossible for them to make a lot of money and become successful in this world unless they look after only themselves. Because such people do appear to be clever, the world is a strange place.
     Therefore, human beings of this kind think materialistically no matter how much they may suffer. That means if they get sick, they leave it up to a medical doctor. They use the law if they get caught up in something troublesome. They take care of affairs by loudly scolding others, threatening bodily harm if not obeyed. Their philosophy of life does not consider the situation of others as long as they themselves are happy, so they soak in luxury and others do not even come into view. They are utterly lacking in virtue. Those who gather around such individuals think only of themselves, but once things fall to pieces, followers drop away. With people like this, naturally problems and pain never cease throughout the year. Finally, nothing goes right, and when they fail, they hastily race by any selfish means possible to recover. We often see examples in society where excessive effort upon excessive effort is made until finally the point is reached where a firm standing is impossible.
     Of course, these unfortunate individuals do not even pretend to listen to arguments about faith. How can they believe in invisible gods and buddhas? Faith and the divine are all superstition. They proudly declare that gods and buddhas exist only within the minds of human beings; what is a god or buddha to me? It is sheer folly to waste money and time on something like faith. They show no inclination to become involved and say that stuff like faith and gods or buddhas are comforts for cowards or nothing more than a joke by people of leisure.
     It is these very people whom we describe insensitive to religion.

“Shūkyō Fukanshō,” originally published on the front page of Kyūsei, Issue 57, April 8, 1950, and reprinted in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 65, March 25, 1954, has appeared previously in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Apathy toward Religion,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 113.