“Bitter Winter” acquired an interesting document on the relationship between the most prominent Russian anti-cultist and the notorious European anti-cult federation.
Op-eds Global
Unification Church Dissolution in Japan: An In-Depth Analysis of a Wrong Decision. 5. Violating Religious Liberty
The verdict tries to claim its decision is compatible with freedom of religion or belief. It is not.
Unification Church Dissolution in Japan: An In-Depth Analysis of a Wrong Decision. 4. The 2009 Compliance Declaration
A crucial question is whether the incidents the court objected to diminished almost to zero after 2009. The court’s figures themselves confirm that this was the case.
Unification Church Dissolution in Japan: An In-Depth Analysis of a Wrong Decision. 3. Settlements and “Potential” Cases.
Absurdly, the court decided that among the grounds for dissolution also settlements, statements, and even hypothetical cases where no claims exist should be considered.
Unification Church Dissolution in Japan: An In-Depth Analysis of a Wrong Decision. 2. Civil Torts and “Public Welfare”
Reversing decades of case law, the decision stated that, in absence of criminal convictions, civil cases and deviation from social norms are enough to dissolve.
Unification Church Dissolution in Japan: An In-Depth Analysis of a Wrong Decision. 1. “Spiritual Sales” and Criminal Cases
Although the decision does mention criminal verdicts against Church members (not the Church itself), they were not part of the argument for the dissolution.
Japan: Family Federation, How an Assassin’s Dream Came True
Twisting and misinterpreting the law, the Tokyo District Court realized the purpose of Shinzo Abe’s assassin to destroy the Unification Church.
Japan’s First Degree Decision Against the Unification Church: No Winners, All Losers
The dissolution of the Unification Church damages all religions, Japan, and its international image. All friends of religious liberty should protest a scandalous verdict.
Japan and Religion, the Scandal of “Public Welfare.” 2. The Assault on the Unification Church
The “public welfare” principle implies that if a religion displeases the majority, it can be eradicated. It is what is happening to the Unification Church.
Japan and Religion, the Scandal of “Public Welfare.” 1. Betraying Japan’s International Obligations
By keeping in its Constitution and laws the principle that religions may have their activities restricted and even be suppressed in the name of “public welfare,” Japan violates its international obligations.