Contentious religion from Japan succeeds in Uganda

“It’s an abomination for Okawa to come and tell us that we should bow and worship him,” said Martin Ssempa, a well-known Pentecostal pastor who is popular with young Ugandans. “This man is arrogant and he is also misguided. People who claim to be God are either impersonators or comedians. I have not found Okawa funny.”

Well, there's my daily dose of hypocrisy.

@chooch. My thoughts exactly. I'm assuming that behind the golden statue there's a massive ego or a very weird sense of humour at play. I have the image of a frozen Austin Powers in my head. At least this bunch of loonies is offering a deity that doesn't require a significant leap of faith to actually see.

All we need as a spices is to follow the "Secular humanism" common sense approach to life and values. There is no need to listen or follow supernatural myths and bed time stories from the stone age and illiterate Middle East..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism

There are those that forget that when we are born and given life as we know it, we are given two (2) things 1) TIME before we die and 2) the right and ability to CHOOSE how we use that time. That is all.

Those who join what ever religion is by their choice. Foolish or not, it was still their choice.

The only time others in society really can get involved with them is when there is danger or potential harm to those involved. Just as you would not want someone to come and tell you what you believe is wrong or that the group you belong to is not good. On what do you base your "righteousness"?

Just because you believe in a particular God or gods does not make you better or above others or even righteous. Does it?

Robert Lutwama, a member of Happy Science in Uganda, said most of the converts were “disappointed in life and with other religions.”

Ahh...there you go. That pretty much explains its popularity right there.

@kazetsukai Children unfortunately have religion and other belief systems thrust upon them and are raised as Muslim children, Christian children, and the like. There's no choice there. Preying on the weak and needy appears to be the modus operandi of this Happy 'religion'

People who claim to be God are either impersonators or comedians.

Pretty much how Jesus wound up on a cross isn't it?

I think the Christians are just miffed at losing members.

If you get a good size followings, other religious groups will try to tear you down. The so called "christian love" doesn't extend to other religious group. Must be lots of unfulfilled love at the christian churches in Uganda, so go ahead Happy Love and find your niche there and give the christians and jews a run for their money.

Envy,why havent I thought of doing that....my statue in gold and bunch of followers could work quite nicely for the future world domination plans...

These crackpots should be arrested. How dare they blaspheme the truths of Happy Science?

These guys are constantly coming around sticking literature (in english) in my mailslot.

Pretty much a buddhist flavored version of Scientology.

They also have a political wing and put forward a candidate in every district in the last general election (and won zero seats as I recall).

Those wishing to join Happy Science make a simple vow of allegiance to Okawa.

errrrrrrr sounds dodgy to me

OMG !! He has a golden statue of himself !! Just ridiculous....

The Muslim hasn't declare a fatwah on Happy Science founder yet............so which religion is more ' tolerant "? LOL

um...Ahem...Ahem...Cough...Cult...Cough!

How do these people do this? How do they surround themselves with people who believe this type of stuff? Where do they find people that believe them.

I understand these Ugandans, as they said most of them are in it for the benefits. lol

'Where do they find people that believe them.'

People will believe all kinds of crap if they dont know any better and it offers the chance of an improvement in this or the 'next' life.