They lost their place of worship.
Tens of thousands of believers were locked out of their own sanctuaries, silenced in a single day.
Hundreds protested in Washington, D.C.
The Story
Japan just set a dangerous precedent by dissolving a religious organization with zero criminal convictions.
“The decision by the Tokyo High Court to order the dissolution of the Unification Church should trouble anyone who cares about religious liberty. I pray that political leaders consider the dangerous precedent this sets for this foundational freedom.”
— Mike Pompeo, Former United States Secretary of State
Religious Freedom is Nailed to the Cross in Japan
We cannot wait until they come for us.
Ambassador Randy Evans. Opinion published by The Washington Times
FOR SALE: 260 church buildings, pews, altars, pulpits and various religious literature, including Bibles, commentaries and hymnals. Contact the Japanese government’s designated liquidator acting under a court order of dissolution and liquidation. All property has been seized and secured and is available for sale as needed.
Although the government targeting of faiths and churches for dissolution and banning itself is abhorrent to the notion of freedom of religion, other countries following Japan’s lead take it much further.
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Massimo Introvigne, sociologist of religions
Religious organizations are not made of angels; they are made of human beings who need places to gather. Without premises and without funds, what ‘religious activities’ are believers supposed to conduct?”
Patricia Duval, international human rights lawyer