Shared Suppression: Blacks and Unificationists

American faith leader speaks out against dangerous precedent-setting religious suppression by Japanese state comparing it to historic treatment of blacks in the U.S.A. as second-class citizens

Tokyo, 16^th May 2026 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.

[Feature Interview] Family Federation Dissolution Issue; Unite in the Spirit of Dr. King!

“It Resembles the Structure of Racial Discrimination”

Interview with Archbishop George Stallings of the Independent Catholic Church “Imani Temple”

by Yosuke Yamazaki (山崎 洋介)

Archbishop George Stallings of the Independent Catholic Church “Imani Temple”

The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom. How does a Christian leader who has long been involved in the black church movement and the defense of religious liberty in America view the dissolution order against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church)? We spoke with Archbishop George Stallings of the independent Catholic church “Imani Temple”.

Interviewer: Yosuke Yamazaki (山崎 洋介)

See also Faith Leaders Condemn Crackdown on Federation

See also U.S. Pastors and Members Speak Out in Japan

See also: Japan Breaking Faith of Children of Believers

See also Supreme Court Justice with Hostile Views

See also Preserving Religious Activity After Dissolution

See also Japanese Court Order Fulfilling Terrorist’s Wish

“Painful to Witness the Persecution”

– What is your view of the dissolution order against the Family Federation?

It is deeply painful for me to witness the current persecution of the Family Federation in Japan, especially because I personally saw how the church founders, Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, devoted 34 years in the United States to defending religious freedom.

What causes me even greater pain is that, as an African American, I have personally experienced discrimination and unjust treatment. I believe religious freedom – which concerns human dignity – is a right as important as the civil rights that Black Americans fought to obtain through their struggle against discrimination.

“The Government Is Taking Away Believers’ Right to Decide for Themselves”

– How do you view the situation in Japan compared with the religious freedom you experienced in the United States?

I have benefited greatly from religious freedom in America. It was because of that freedom that I was able to leave the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Black-centered independent Catholic church “Imani Temple”. Only in America could I freely express my faith without persecution.

However, the Japanese government has decided that Family Federation members are “brainwashed” and is pursuing the religious organization’s dissolution on the basis of donations. The Tokyo High Court is not supposed to judge religious beliefs, worship, or the financial practices of a religion, yet it has stepped into that realm and is trying to deprive believers of the right to make their own decisions.

“If Separation of Church and State Collapses, Religion Itself Will Collapse”

– What are your thoughts on the relationship between religion and the state?

The principle of separation of church and state – that the government must not interfere in religion – is a fundamental principle clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution and must be absolutely upheld. If this principle collapses, religion itself will move toward destruction.

What makes this especially serious is that such a problem is occurring not only in communist countries, but also in Japan, a nation that has built a reputation as a democracy. Someone must stop this trend.

Think about the history of America from slavery to the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many other leaders fought for justice, and Black Americans expressed their hope for freedom through songs even under severe oppression. The Negro spiritual “Oh Freedom” says, in essence, “Before I’d be a slave, I’d rather be buried in my grave and go home to my Lord and be free.” For them, the longing for freedom was inseparable from faith. It also reflected the conviction that evil state power must be resisted.

I see this issue as an attempt by the “empire” of the state to impose its values and strip away religious freedom.

Frederick Douglass, the black leader of the abolitionist movement, said: “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” If we do not stand up now, those in power will take away even more freedoms. That is why this is the time to unite and proclaim the truth – and through that, victory will surely come.

“It Definitely Reminds Me of the History of Discrimination Against Black Americans”

– Do you see similarities between the discrimination experienced by African Americans and the current situation in Japan?

Absolutely. In fact, I often think about what is happening in Japan in light of the historical experience of African Americans.

The abolitionist movement in America eventually led to civil rights legislation because not only Black Americans but also others stood up and raised their voices. Likewise, in Japan, resisting the actions of the government and the High Court will require the cooperation of other churches. If the dissolution of the Family Federation is allowed, the impact will spread to other religions as well. If churches in Japan unite and speak out together, it is possible to overturn this decision.

Japan needs leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – people who speak boldly and courageously based on faith. As long as the government and courts believe they can do anything without consequence, the situation will not change. But if people resist persistently and show determination, victory will come into view.

“Silence Allows the Abuse of Power”

– How do you view the fact that many religious organizations in Japan remain silent regarding the dissolution order against the Family Federation?

It is a sign of cowardice. They fear becoming targets themselves, and they fear going against the wishes of those in power. But that silence is precisely what allows the government’s excessive use of power and further threatens religious freedom.

The Family Federation has not committed criminal offenses, yet a dissolution order was approved based on civil matters. This creates a dangerous precedent that could extend to other religions as well. The religious community should be united in stopping it.

I see this situation as reflecting the words of 2 Timothy 3:5 in the New Testament: “Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Outwardly, they maintain faith, but through fear they deny the true power of religion.

What is needed now is for the religious world to overcome fear, unite, and speak truth to power. If they remain silent, religious freedom will be further violated, and other religions will face the same danger.

“The Simultaneous Religious Suppression in Japan and Korea Is Strange”

– In Korea, Family Federation President Hak Ja Han has reportedly been held under confinement for six months.

In Korea, not only the Family Federation but churches that positively influence society are being targeted, even though they have committed no crimes. The allegations against President Han have not been proven, and no valid basis has been presented for holding her for six months.

It is strange that similar religious persecution is occurring simultaneously in Japan and Korea. Why are religious organizations suddenly being persecuted and prosecuted now? It is difficult to understand.

The governments have not demonstrated why intervention in religion is supposedly necessary to “protect the people”. They treat believers as though they are powerless citizens incapable of speaking out for themselves if problems arise. The same is true in Korea. If the religious organization were truly committing human rights abuses, there would be far more complaints from victims, yet such voices are limited. In other words, the government’s claims do not match the actual response of citizens.

“The International Community Must Raise Its Voice”

– Regarding the Japanese government’s response toward the Family Federation, what role can the international community and the United States play?

Realistically speaking, it would be difficult for the U.S. government to force Japanese courts to overturn their rulings. What can be hoped for is that pressure from the international community will accumulate and encourage the Supreme Court to reconsider the decision.

The current Japanese government believes it can exercise its power in a corrupt manner and determine the fate of religious organizations.

The possibility that the Supreme Court will overturn the High Court’s decision may not be high, but even so, people must not remain silent. What is needed is a voice powerful enough to shake the conscience of the nation.

See also Faith Leaders Condemn Crackdown on Federation

See also U.S. Pastors and Members Speak Out in Japan

See also: Japan Breaking Faith of Children of Believers

See also Supreme Court Justice with Hostile Views

See also Preserving Religious Activity After Dissolution

See also Japanese Court Order Fulfilling Terrorist’s Wish

See also Was the Appointment of Hostile Judge Deliberate?

Featured image above: George Stallings – Born in 1948 in North Carolina, USA. After being ordained as a Roman Catholic priest, he devoted many years to the Black Catholic movement. In 1989, he founded the independent Catholic church “Imani Temple”. The following year, he publicly declared his separation from the Roman Catholic Church on a television program and was subsequently excommunicated. He also served as chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), which promotes interfaith tolerance and reconciliation. Photo: Sekai Nippo

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