Christian Paper Prints FFWPU Remark to Coverage

National Christian paper in Norway publishes FFWPU response to coverage on Japanese dissolution case

An article by Steinar Murud, chairman of the Family Federation in Norway 2008-2022, written in response to a news report issued by NTB, Norway’s leading press agency, and printed in several news outlets. Murud’s response was first published in Norwegian in the online edition of the Christian newspaper Dagen (The Day) 8th April. Steinar Murud now serves as the Family Federation‘s representative on the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities in Oslo.

Verdict Against the Family Federation: A Violation of Religious Freedom in Japan

An NTB news report titled “Japanese Court Orders Dissolution of Controversial Religious Community” was published in Dagen on Tuesday, 25^th March. The report states that the religious community may continue as before but loses its registration as a religious organization and its tax-exempt status.

However, the legal process behind the dissolution has received little attention, and the consequences of such a dissolution are being severely underestimated.

Numerous human rights advocates dispute the verdict from the Tokyo District Court. A religious community that has not committed criminal acts cannot be ordered dissolved. Civil disputes do not qualify for dissolution. The verdict is a serious violation of religious freedom.

A dissolution represents a “death sentence” where the authorities not only remove the organization‘s religious registration but may also confiscate all funds and properties and introduce legislative changes that hinder parents from passing on their faith to the next generation. In addition, dissolution brings immense social stigma.

The Japanese government’s rejection of a request from Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, to visit Japan and make her own assessments points to a questionable process.

Several problematic aspects led to the government’s request for dissolution and the court’s verdict on Tuesday, 25^th March:

• An investigative committee composed of declared opponents of the Family Federation.
• Manipulation of the Council for Religious Organizations, where each member was individually visited at home by the ministry to create consensus for dissolution.
• Use of partially falsified evidence. The ministry has recently been reported for specific incidents.
• Use of court proceedings behind closed doors, without access for the defendants.

Instead of investigating the assassin, the Family Federation was made the scapegoat. Right after the assassination, a press conference was organized by a network of lawyers who are activists on the political left. This legal network has long aimed to eliminate the Family Federation due to the faith community’s criticism of totalitarian and atheistic communism.

Claims from the press conference quickly spread through the media and shaped public opinion. This put pressure on the government. The matter rapidly turned political, benefiting the lawyers network and the Japanese Communist Party, while harming the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) and the Family Federation.

Aaron Rhodes, former president of the International Helsinki Federation, stated on 31^st January 2023,

– It is deeply regrettable that Japanese authorities, instead of defending religious freedom, have listened to popular prejudice and propaganda generated by the Communist Party and quasi-legal groups to delegitimize the Family Federation, aiming to make it impossible for the religious community to operate and to eliminate its presence in Japan.

Haruhisa Nakagawa, president of Japan’s Christian Theological Institute, confirms the same,

– I did research on the Family Federation for 25 years from a negative perspective. However, I have now decided to send a letter to the court requesting not to dissolve the Family Federation. The main reason is that the information presented to the public deviates so much from what I personally have observed.

Last year, four UN special rapporteurs sent a letter of concern to the Japanese authorities regarding the unusual measures Japan is taking to limit parents’ ability to pass on their faith and traditions to their children.

Professor emeritus Seishiro Sugihara of Musashino University, author of the book “The Ideal Regulation of Church-State Separation and Constitutional Reform”, said the following about the legal process,

– If a religious organization is dissolved without an open trial, according to Article 32 of the Constitution, the process is clearly unconstitutional.

The methods and legal changes implemented over the two and a half years since the assassination of Shinzo Abe have been criticized by many. Political motives seem to play a larger role than considerations of religious freedom. The verdict sets a precedent that may affect any religious community solely because of civil disputes. The verdict will be appealed.
Dagen pointed out,

“This is an opinion piece. The article reflects the author’s personal views.”

Dagen also mentioned,

“For simplicity, we use ‘Family Federation’. The full and proper name is Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The community is also known as the Unification Church and formerly the Unified Family.”

Translated from Norwegian. Dagen published the photo of Dr. Seishiro Sugihara.

Featured image above: Steinar Murud preaching in Oslo 13th November 2022. Photo: Knut Holdhus

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