Malicious journalism that preys on people's misfortunes has no right to criticize religion.

Comment from the Public Relations Office of Happy Science regarding the article in "Shukan Shincho" released on Thursday, April 7, 2011, titled "Happy Science Uses Tsunami for Proselytizing Despite No Prediction."

In the "Shukan Shincho" released on April 7, an article was published with the headline "Happy Science Uses Tsunami for Proselytizing Despite No Prediction," using a comment from Ms. Kyoko to ridicule our organization's activities. As a comment from the Public Relations Office, we will post a rebuttal below.

Firstly, "Shukan Shincho" has absolutely no right to publish such slanderous articles against President Ryuho Okawa and our organization's activities.
The structure of the article is not fair in the first place. For example, regarding the relationship between Ms. Kyoko and our organization, the article does not mention that she is being sued by us for 200 million yen, nor that she continues to occupy our facilities despite being permanently expelled from the organization. They are cherry-picking only the points that are convenient for them.

Secondly, it is the malicious journalism represented by "Shukan Shincho" that is "exploiting" the disaster to make money. They spread rumors such as radioactive contamination spreading infinitely, and then brazenly claim that "the spread of rumors is a problem." This kind of match-pump reporting is a characteristic of malicious journalism.

Thirdly, in times of great disasters like this, what religion should fundamentally do is "salvation of the soul." Praying for those suffering from the disaster, conveying Buddhist truths, and proselytizing are the missions of religion. Faith is truly wonderful, and indeed, there are people whose emotional wounds have been healed by faith, and some who were miraculously saved from the tsunami. However, beyond that, our organization is conducting realistic relief activities for the disaster areas directly through our branches. We are engaged in confirming the safety of local people, transporting supplies, dispatching volunteers, and collecting donations. In contrast, how much work has "Shukan Shincho" done other than "advertising misfortune"? I have not heard that they are collecting donations as a company. If they are not collecting, it would be good to donate the profits made from disaster reporting.

Furthermore, "Shukan Shincho" captions a photo with "Savior, really?" and ridicules President Okawa by saying "as if he is claiming to be a savior," but in the West, it is common knowledge that a Messiah (savior) appears when humanity faces a crisis. It may be said that they do not understand due to a lack of religious education, but it is extremely disrespectful to President Okawa and all the believers who are dedicating themselves to salvation during the disaster. Paradoxically, it must be known that the malicious journalism of "Shukan Shincho" and others, which hindered people's correct faith, is perceived by some as a "divine punishment" theory, which remains strong among the public.

As with previous articles, we will protest strongly and fight thoroughly in a defamation lawsuit against Ms. Kyoko Okawa and "Shukan Shincho."

Please also read 'The Study of the Devil Nesting in Shukan Shincho' open_in_new (written by Ryuho Okawa, to be published in mid-April).