The latest in a long series of deadly assaults calls for a thorough and sober analysis based on facts. The role of Pakistan, along with the exploitation and politicization of religion, is undeniable.
Op-eds Global
Washington State vs The Seal of Confession: A Test for Religious Liberty in the US
A new state law assaults the secrecy of confession, which is non-negotiable for the Catholic Church. The Trump administration is expected to react.
Behind the Dissolution of the Unification Church: Japan’s Communist Party, North Korea, and China
A chronology of the facts proving that Communist agencies and countries worked to destroy the religious movement.
When Dvorkin Called FECRIS “Cowards and Racists”
“Bitter Winter” acquired an interesting document on the relationship between the most prominent Russian anti-cultist and the notorious European anti-cult federation.
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.