Unification Church slams Japan's dissolution request as threat to religious freedom

This cult should just shut their mouths.

They are not a religion - they are a SCAM.

Exactly right!

When Japan bans Soka Gakkai, then I will listen to those arguing the Unification Church be banned.

Until then, this is nothing more than religious bigotry!!

It's a CULT pretending to be a religion!

Hahaha, soon you’ll have to pay tax.

A Cult is NOT a Religion.

A Cult is NOT a Religion.

Same scam

The Japanese branch of the Unification Church on Monday criticized the Japanese government's request for a court order to dissolve the group, saying it's based on groundless accusations and is a serious threat to religious freedom and human rights of its followers.

When your scam is exposed, blame "leftists".

Populists, nationalists, religious scammers all seem to use this go to defense.

Unification Church after a ministry investigation concluded the group for decades has systematically manipulated its followers into donating money

To be fair, every church demands a monthly tithe from their members and when it comes to fundraisers, it's a common practice for churches to get creative to get more money from their congregation. This is normal. I've met loyal protestants who have donated their homes and savings at an older age, but what's not normal is having a family member kill an important figure and blame it on their church because their relatives donated their savings. If the court is able to successfully dissolve the group, what's stopping them from dissolving other religious institutions or any organizations that are not aligned with their views?

Cult or religion. Why should either get tax-exempt status? I've never understood why the rest of us are taxed as if we were vending machines while the Pope get free money for more jewelry. I can't afford to go abroad but the christians take their untaxed money to send missionaries to any place in the world that they want to go to.

Okay, so for those who insist churches of all kinds should get exemptions, at least let's crack down on cracked up cults. This one is a cult and as much of a religion as a baseball team.

The Unification "Church" is clearly a cult, and should be treated like one.

That said, no religious groups should receive tax exemptions at all. If people want to follow an organized religion (rather than a cult) that's entirely up to them, but they should not receive preferential treatment. This isn't the Middle Ages.

If all religious groups/cults stop receiving tax exemptions, then should all non-profit organizations be included? Who gets to pick and choose? How do you determine what's a cult? Mormons? The Church of Satan?

A Cult is NOT a Religion.

And all religions are cults! Religions have NEVER been the problem, it's always the people!

Every religion is a cult in some form. So singling out the Moonies is hypocritical and against freedom of religion. I would argue that the Mormon church is no different and just as cult like but they’re not being targeted because none of their followers assassinated the most powerful politician in Japanese history.

Yes, the LDP-led gov't should disband the Unification Cult. Then, it should disband the LDP.

Just pay taxes, believers don't care if you have to pay taxes or not.

Religious freedom and human rights? That’s hilarious! Let’s not forget that Abe was assassinated for his connection with this group after assassin’s mother had all her money extorted from her. This group is a mafia style extortion group using stand over tactics to bleed people for money. It is only registered as a religion to avoid paying tax on the funds they extort from people.

Some are and some aren't !

That's a fact !

Pray tell, just which religion ISNT a cult?

Personally i feel the unification church should be prosecuted and permanently banned from operating in japan and any of their teachings or literature outlawed

So, freedom of religion is only defined by those whose teachings adhere to what you believe?

Japanese are, for the most part, very tolerant of different "gods" and while you nor I may not agree with the teachings and beliefs of this one here, it doesnt mean that their "teachings" need to be outlawed. That is wrong as well, and while they may loose their special tax status, it doesnt mean that their beliefs are going to change.

Unfortunately for them they're going to be banned just because of Abe's assassination. Make no mistake, if it was for coercing members into donating money, the Moonies would have been banned long ago. But they weren't.

Bilking your followers out of billions of yen ?

Thats a big con act-not religion

Nothing wrong with a Religion, the problem comes with being Religious. Religions don't kill people, religious people kill people.

And yeah, pay your damn taxes.

There is no way you can beat the law especially if they wrote the rules. They will only write a law to circumvent the law. ****Some experts and lawyers supporting the victims have cautioned against an attempt by the church to hide its assets before a court decision. In other words they will only make it harder for you.

A church lawyer, Nobuya Fukumoto, criticized the government for not specifying which law the group violated, and vowed to thoroughly fight it in court.

If the church is stripped of its legal status, it could still operate but would lose its tax exemption privilege as a religious organization and would face financial setbacks. Some experts and lawyers supporting the victims have cautioned against an attempt by the church to hide its assets before a court decision.

Bilking your followers out of billions of yen ?

Thats a big con act-not religion

Right, and you never heard of "tithing" Religions have been bilking their followers out of more money than can ever be counted over the years. Dont be so naïve and blind!

Fighto!Oct. 17  06:57 am JST

This cult should just shut their mouths.

They are not a religion - they are a SCAM.

WAH.

They control everything in their members' lives. They're not concerned about spirituality but money and influence. By the latter they murdered PM Abe. They didn't even say they were sorry.

CULT. Rip-off. Not a religion.

A tithe is one tenth.

The Unification 'Church' on the other hand turns Japanese members into penniless slaves, and takes everything.