The pitifulness of a philosopher of science who confuses the difference between the occult and religion, misleading modern people

Professor Shoichiro Takahashi of Kokugakuin University has once again published an article in his Shukan Shincho column (July 9 issue) that blasphemes Happy Science and its faith. However, he does not understand the difference between the occult and religion, nor the difference between a cult and a religious organization, and thus has no right to criticize Happy Science. We want to clarify his errors and numerous factual inaccuracies, and make it clear that Mr. Takahashi is the "pitiful researcher misleading modern people."

Blasphemy against the name of God is not permissible

In his column in the July 9 issue of Shukan Shincho, Mr. Takahashi mocks the name of the Earth God El Cantare, the object of faith in Happy Science, by likening it to the Italian word "cantare" (to sing) and titles the column "Ryuho Okawa and 'Cantare'!" In the text, he introduces the Italian life philosophy "Amore, Cantare, Mangiare (Love, Sing, Eat, that's life)" and sneers, "People are free to believe whatever they want."

Mr. Takahashi should remember that treating the name of God lightly or mocking it is the greatest insult to religion, and no believer will remain silent in the face of such outrageous acts.

The desire of believers for "the name of God to be praised" is the most fundamental of all religious beliefs. The name of God, who has appeared in response to the voices of those suffering on earth, is the most precious thing that saves humans from despair and is the "bond" that connects believers and God.

In the Bible, there are countless expressions praising the name of God, such as "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever" (Psalm 145:1) and "Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name" (Isaiah 25:1).

In Islam, chanting "Allahu Akbar (God is great)" is proof of being a Muslim, and in Jodo Shinshu, chanting "Namu Amida Butsu" and taking refuge in Amida is the absolute condition for salvation, as is well known.

Mr. Takahashi has committed an act of blasphemy by defiling the name of God, trampling on the faith of all Happy Science believers. Furthermore, he shamelessly commits acts that could turn all believers in God worldwide against him. Does he have the awareness and resolve to take responsibility for this?

Is it true that "Buddha does not reincarnate"?

Mr. Takahashi also questions, "If Shakyamuni attained enlightenment and became Buddha, how could he be reborn?" regarding President Okawa's past life as Buddha Shakyamuni.

However, there is actually no Buddhist scripture that states "once one becomes a Buddha, reincarnation into this world becomes impossible." In the often-cited Pali Canon, it is "self-declared" by Shakyamuni that he "will no longer be reborn," but it is not written that Buddha's reincarnation (such as Buddha himself choosing to reincarnate) becomes impossible.

As President Okawa teaches, "(Even as Buddha,) there are times when one may choose to inhabit a human body to save people on earth" (from 'The Challenge of Enlightenment, Volume 1').

Moreover, the idea that an enlightened being reappears to save people is present in all religions. In the 'Bible,' it is recorded that Jesus Christ will return, and in Shia Islam, it is believed that the Imam will return on the Day of Judgment. The idea that a messianic figure is reborn during times of moral decay to deliver the final judgment is a religiously universal concept. It is hard to believe that Mr. Takahashi writes with an understanding of such religious education. Shouldn't an outsider remain silent?

Misunderstanding about university approval

Regarding the establishment of Happy Science University, Mr. Takahashi writes, "It was planned to use Hiroshi's works as textbooks in compulsory courses to learn the founder's spirit," but this is not true, and it is a significant factual error. Writing without accurately investigating the basic facts is the reality of what Mr. Takahashi calls "philosophy of science."

He also states that "the fact that 'spiritual messages (spiritual message collections)' whose scientific rationality has not been proven were to be the foundation of education at this university was seen as a problem," but there was no such application to base education on spiritual messages, and it is merely an unreasonable pretext by the Ministry of Education to deny the establishment of the university. If Mr. Takahashi sides unilaterally with the Ministry of Education's "suppression of academic freedom," then he himself is a "lapdog of power."

Mr. Takahashi who confuses the occult with religion

What became clear in Mr. Takahashi's commentary published over three weeks in Shukan Shincho is the fact that he "does not understand the difference between the occult and religion."

Mr. Takahashi points out that the Hydesville incident, an occult phenomenon in America, was a prank by the Fox sisters, and cites the fact that magician Houdini exposed the lies of mediums, trying desperately to deny the credibility that Happy Science has built over 30 years.

However, none of these are "occult (mystical, supernatural) phenomena" that can be used to deny the religious nature of Happy Science, which Mr. Takahashi seems unable to understand.

In the first place, occult phenomena refer to mystical phenomena such as tables moving on their own or bending spoons. Such phenomena are sometimes present in religion, but religion is never established by occult phenomena alone.

For religion to be established, it requires advanced "teachings of the heart" that elevate human spirituality and mentality beyond supernatural phenomena. The three basic spirits (Three Marks of Existence) of Buddhism, "impermanence of all things, non-self of all laws, and nirvana is tranquility," and the Christian teaching of "you must love your neighbor as yourself" are examples. The spiritual heights that stand as great teachers of humanity are indispensable for the founders of world religions.

Happy Science is a new world religion that believes in the World Teacher, President Okawa, and while proving the existence of the afterlife through spiritual messages, it spreads the modern Fourfold Path of "Love, Wisdom, Self-Reflection, and Progress" as the pursuit of a "righteous heart."

Mr. Takahashi, as a philosopher of science, is fixated on denying spiritual messages, but if he wants to deny Happy Science, he should correctly perceive it as a religious phenomenon rather than an occult phenomenon. Shouldn't Mr. Takahashi be ashamed of lightly handling it in a column without making an effort to acquire religious common sense and education?

Not understanding the difference between a cult and a religious organization

In the third week's column, Mr. Takahashi lists the numerous past lives revealed by President Okawa and seems to mockingly suggest, "Such things cannot possibly be true. This is irrefutable proof of being a cult." Unfortunately, Mr. Takahashi also does not seem to understand the difference between a cult (a closed fanatical group) and a religious organization.

Cults often exhibit antisocial behavior such as isolating members from society, not allowing them to meet with family, and confiscating all their assets.

However, in the case of Happy Science, there are no problem behaviors such as destructive activities, fraud, forced conversion, or coercion of exorbitant donations. Whether something is a cult should be judged by the "actions" of the religion, not the content of its teachings, and in this respect, Happy Science cannot be classified as a cult just because of spiritual messages.

If such a thing were allowed, it would require delving into religious doctrines and debating their rightness, leading to a return to an era of religious wars where blood is washed with blood. It is precisely the tolerance to respect each other's faiths that is needed now to stop such futile debates.

Summary: The dubiousness of the philosophy of science

As mentioned in the previous essay, the "philosophy of science" that Mr. Takahashi specializes in is itself equipped with cult-like dubiousness.

For example, how would philosophers of science explain the fact that the Bible of Christianity, a world religion with 2 billion followers, is a parade of miraculous phenomena? The Bible is filled with miraculous phenomena such as "Jesus Christ resurrected three days after execution, appeared before 500 people, and then ascended to heaven," "Christ walked on water," "Christ resurrected a person four days after death," "made a man born blind see," and "Paul was blinded by a white light but was healed by Ananias' miracle."

However, none of these can be proven or explained by the philosophy of science. Yet, the majority of the world believes the accounts in the Bible to be true. And it is this faith that has allowed human society to escape the primitive state and develop into a complex and advanced political and economic society.

In that sense, it is the philosophers of science who deny that humans are children of God and spiritual beings with great potential who are the pitiful people misleading modern people.

Mr. Takahashi should immediately stop mocking the noble faith in collaboration with Shukan Shincho, the "CIA of Hell." The price of such disrespectful acts of spitting at heaven is extremely high. Ultimately, it is Mr. Takahashi himself who will be held accountable.

Tomoo Takama, Director of the Public Relations Division, Happy Science Group