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Japanese gov't plans to seek court order to dissolve Unification Church

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Let us know when it is done-then it will be news worthy

-3 ( +13 / -16 )

If dissolved, the Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954 and formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, would lose its status as a religious corporation in Japan and be deprived of tax benefits, although it could still operate as an entity.

It is only one organization, and there are too many monks being chauffeured in Mercedes on Ginza shopping trips and televangelists with private jets.

All religious groups need to be deprived of tax benefits worldwide and their assets used to benefit societies.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

Great! Religion must be separated from politics

Now, don’t forget

Soka Gakkai/Komeito.

21 ( +25 / -4 )

So far, only two religious organizations have received a dissolution order from a Japanese court because of legal violations. One was the AUM Shinrikyo cult, which carried out the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.

And the "other"? Poor reporting here! (Again!)

Japan has 180,000 religious corporations, but only two have received a court order for dissolution to date--one is Myokakuji, and the other, Aum Shinrikyo.

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14745436

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Being an enabler and fellow bed fellow LDP knew very well prior to Abe's assassination what the UC was up to, and only turned on them when it became a poor reflection on the LDP, but turn on them they did lol

LDP lawmakers were only too glad to receive donations and free labor from the UC, and now working feverishly to ensure their demise.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

It's a good start, now move on to ALL the other religions and cults. Tax them and monitor their activities to protect potential future victims.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

science question: is a cult weaker or stronger after it is dissolved?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Religious Cults? They breed like Rabbits.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

The feet dragging is so astonishing. They are again gonna set up a committee to decide whether to listen to options. Typical Japanese.

This church should have been dissolved when Yamagami mentioned that. Or even long before that.

They damage they cause is just too great

5 ( +9 / -4 )

although it could still operate as an entity.

doesn't look to me much like "dissolved"

9 ( +9 / -0 )

EXCELLENT !!!..

WELL DONE JAPAN !!!...

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Soka Gakkai/Komeito are Japanese so they will be allowed to keep on grifting to grease the wheels and oil the engine of right-wing machine politics that pass for "democracy".

7 ( +12 / -5 )

The Japanese government plans to seek a court order to disband the Unification Church, a government source said Saturday, a move that comes after a months-long probe into the religious group over allegations of soliciting financially ruinous donations from members and other questionable practices.

Cynically, a lot of ifs, maybes, plans to seek, sources whispering, nudge nudge wink wink say no more.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe/family paid a hefty price, when this alleged perpetrator, shooter decided to take personal retaliation for an alleged wrongdoing.

Yet Japan society/people are no closer to the facts surrounding Tetsuya Yamagami motivation to assassinate Shinzo Abe in such a callous brutal public manner.

How deep has the Moonies toxic poisonous cult, influence infested into Japan corridors of power?  

Too many pertinent questions remain unanswered.

The Unification Church has proven to have political influence that is suggested to reach right into this LDP governments cabinet.

A move that comes after a months-long probe into the religious group

Ok publish its contents fully

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I will believe it when I see it, because many politicians from what I have read over years of living here see this church as their cash cow and why would they do away with it. There is more to this story, and what I am guessing there is another scandal coming around the corner and they are trying to get ahead of it and deflect whatever is about to come break out in the headlines.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Bad news for many LDP politicians, who is going to fund their political careers ?

5 ( +10 / -5 )

But this has been going on for years, to deafening silence. Only reason finally moving on this was that Abe was taken out by the lad whose life had been screwed over by the church. Government had no choice. Either that or it might finally have ended the LDP. Japanese people are finally waking up, and about time.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

The Moonies, let call a spade and spade is not a church or a religion, it is a toxic cult first and foremost.

Snuff it out from political influence in government or diet, from society, every walk of life, harshly.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The Moonies, let call a spade and spade is not a church or a religion, it is a toxic cult first and foremost

The difference ( if there is one ) between a religion and a cult is hard to define.

Snuff it out from political influence in government or diet, from society, every walk of life, harshly

Fair point on government. No religion/cult should have any influence on lawmaking.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Jimizo,

Religion or cult?

in the 21st century is a struggle.

I have my own faith beliefs, they are personal, and change when faced with the realities of human frailty.

Religion combined with politics in all its forms, should never be encouraged in democracies, in schools, education.

I even question in monarchy.

liquidized in a social media blender then fed to willing sycophants, willing to worship at the altar of everything that glisters or antagonizes anarchy will prevail.

I like to believe worship is just a means to recognize good from evil in its purest form, or simple acts of human kindness

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If dissolved, the Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954 and formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, would lose its status as a religious corporation in Japan and be deprived of tax benefits, although it could still operate as an entity.

So, it is not actually being dissolved, is it? So what is this really all about then?

In the case of Abe's assassination, police have said that Tetsuya Yamagami, who has been indicted over the incident, claimed he targeted Abe partly because Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped bring the church to Japan in the 1960s.

Someone said, that someone said, that someones father was linked to the Unification Church. It has been over a year, so can we not disclose first hand testimonies in a court of law?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Which religions would be okay in Japan? I mean, aside from direct involvement with political leaders.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I really hope this comes true and they lose the tax benefit, or even more, are forced to disband.

I wish JW was next, and then Scientology. But these two haven't pissed people enough like Aum and Moonies did.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Meanwhile they disregard human right for immigrant deaths in custody . Just lip service and we all know the scumbag "church" will just change it's name and resurface...

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

When is the Japanese media going to grow a pair???

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Good. Shut them down - and next go after other dangerous smaller cults - such as the Scientologists and Jehovahs.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Losing tax preference is preferable to dissolution. People choose to believe in what they want, dissolving does not actually stop anyone from practising their faith.

It's easier to set up new religious entity if uc is dissolved and promote the new one.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Just take away all the tax benefits from all the cults. Moonies, christians, islam, there all cults. While we are at it, let's ban all the cult indoctrination that goes on in schools as well. Why is it okay to introduce cult dogma to children who believe there is a Santa? Maybe the same logic that is applied dening children the right to vote should be applied to religious force feeding that goes on in classrooms.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Excellent news. All these "cult" religions need to be prosecuted. Johovah's witnesses should be next.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Go after Mormons too. They are marketed as "Church of Jesus Christ & Latter Day Saints". Surprisingly I have ran into quite a few in Japan over the years - Japanese who had been brainwashed by foreigners (mainly Americans) on a 2 year recruitment drive (they bizarrely call it a "mission")

Bad news that mob.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I don't know if this is true but if Japan seriously banning the U.C. many LDP politicans will seek for other sources for funding. Japanese politicians were very corrupted, they can seek for foreign money to help their own election campaign. Kishi and Abe were rolling in their ashes: How dare you(Kishida) wrecking the political foundation of Japan!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Religious freedom is protected by the Constitution.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Yamagami's mother is believed to have made donations totaling 100 million yen ($670,000)

Religious freedom to cash the checks protected by the tax man too.

Try and send 670000$ to yer paypal account and see how many red flags and papertrails land on your face while the bank freezes transactions to double check- anti social forces. Be SERIOUS

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Part of the blame is the way the LDP accepts donations. They should be directly to the party and limited in amounts.

If a religious group is breaking the law they should be dealt with. People have the freedom to practice whatever religion they want.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Soka Gakkai/Komeito are Japanese so they will be allowed to keep on grifting to grease the wheels and oil the engine of right-wing machine politics that pass for "democracy".

Tell everyone you are living in the last century without actually saying it! That is exactly what this post is doing!

Ancient history and totally off topic today!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If they ban the UC, they should've banned Aum.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Let that so called unification church be dissolved! These churches are an avenue for rogue persons to exploit un suspecting followers!! Let it be banned completely. Here in Africa, churches have become so exploitative that managers of churches have become rich by extortion from followers who are sinking in poverty!!!!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japanese gov't plans to seek court order to dissolve Unification Church

So they are "trying" to dissolve their benefactors?

I don't understand.

If the UC was REALLY an issue for the Gov't, they would've been gone a long time ago.

Who are they trying to fool?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

UC funds need to be seized. Funds to be used to help UC followers escape from UC brainwashing.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

victims who were pressured into making massive donations that the group's practices amounted to violations of the Religious Corporations Act,

Reckon a few other 'churches' and other places of GATHERING ( people, souls, money! ) run by unscrupulous holy conmen/women may fall into this violations category. Probably best to just look into all religious/cult flavoured 'businesses', instead of being overly selective about this one mob as a show of appeasement to the public anger while its hot. These type of organisations are everywhere here too. Creepy looking people that tend to dress badly and look a bit dull or socially inept. Connecting to god for these folk is a costly endeavour . Nothing that a bit of independent spirit or critical thinking skills could quite easily remedy. Not just a japan thing either, its a world wide phenomena . The lost soul harvesting! Actually have a local 'temple of light' just across from us and we see the throngs of these mostly pensioners dragging their feet to PAY their respects very regularly and in rather high numbers considering the size of the place we live. ¥

One side concern is ABEs killer will be very proud of himself. We dont hear that much about him lately do we? The focus has been all about this one church. Mission accomplished. Revenge enacted in the most tragic but effective way.

Next lunatic with a grievance, dark imagination or a plot? The incentive may have increased.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Religious freedom is protected by the Constitution.

Unless you abuse of that right and become a danger to society, like Aum did and now Moonies.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Scientology operates in Japan but they were unable to register as a religion.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Religious freedom is protected by the Constitution.

This means each individual is free to practice what ever religion they want, not all religions can do what ever they please.

The church and the state should be separate

Is where the tax preference originates, but when the funds of the churches is donated to the state for influence, then it's not separate now is it?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Mr. Abe is turning in his grave every time this subject is brought up, hurry up and GET IT DONE for Japan and his sake.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Mark...

Mr. Abe is turning in his grave every time this subject is brought up, hurry up and GET IT DONE for Japan and his sake.

I doubt very much ex PM Abe would want to dissolve the UC.

It was his beloved grandfather that brought them to Japan. And the reason he was killed was his support for the group.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

From what I have read about this religion it is not good, and this includes the SG too. I have no idea howmany religious groups there are in Japan but in the USA there are 370 religious bodies, over 350,000 congregations, and over 160 million adherents.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

science question: is a cult weaker or stronger after it is dissolved?

science???

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The difference ( if there is one ) between a religion and a cult is hard to define.

The difference is only the number of "follower". In both case, it is the same.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Some promote the notion that all religions should no longer have a tax-exempt status, in which case religions should be allowed then to proselytize in schools and campaign for politicians and anything else denied them by the tax-exempt status regulations.

In any event, the Unification Church does not to be dissolved but rather exposed openly. Let all the truth out and people will leave it in droves.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Like the old saying: "It's not personal (spiritual) - it's just business (profit)"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The difference ( if there is one ) between a religion and a cult is hard to define.

Leader is alive vs. leader is dead.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I don’t really get it, jgov just kinda does stuff and pushes through their ordinances whenever they like, why do they need to jump through so many hoops to get this one done. I know there are dozens of members getting benefits from them, but also they are tangentially the reason why their god on earth Abe is dead… you’d think they would have a bit more fire in their eyes for this

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Goodness me, it took the government long enough to get their ducks in a row!

'Are we all out then? No traces? Is all the tatami back in place?

OK. Ahem. We plan to seek a court order to disband the Unification Church.'

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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