Encyclopedia of Religion Second Edition, copyright 2005 Thomson Gale a part of The Thomson Corporation, Lindsay Jones Editor in Chief, Vol.1, pgs.108-109, Peter Clarke
Encyclopedia of Religion Second Edition, copyright 2005 Thomson Gale a part of The Thomson Corporation, Lindsay Jones Editor in Chief, Vol.10, pg.6574, Robert S. Ellwood, Shimazono Susumu
Religions of the world: a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices/ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, editors; Todd M. Johnson, World Religious Statistics; Donald Wiebe, Introduction-2nd ed., Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO, LLC. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA.
The world messianity movement in Japan known also as Sekai Kyudei Kyo is similar to a health and wealth prosperity group. It promises much but I question it efficacy in delivering all the goods.
The Church of World Messianity or COWM is but one of the many hundreds if not thousands of new religious movements or shinshukyo that has sprung up in the Japanese culture which is a pick and choose form of spirituality with a combination and mixing of various religious themes and world views to fulfill a niche for spiritual hunger. However to present a religious smorgasbord of various recipes and then stuffing oneself with whatever you can pile on your plate does not necessitate being adequately filled with a nutritious and vital meal plan but can result with the effects of food poisoning initially unbeknownst to the consumer. It may seem delicious as appealing to the senses of sight in how it is presented and it may give an alluring aroma along with the textual qualities of taste which appeals to the human palate nonetheless, whether acutely or chronically, it is dangerous to ones spiritual well being and health. These dishes are prepared by the artistic and culinary skills of these gourmet chefs who have disguised their fare as being both desirous and edible yet they are toxic. After all we have already seen this with the destructive cult of Aum Shinrikyo and though not all the shinkō shūkyo may be as obviously destructive nonetheless they are just as deadly. The bible gives warning of this in Matthew 24: 23-24
23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ(Messiah)!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs(messiahs) and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
The founder of this group Mokichi Okada appears to be one of these characters of whom the bible forewarns as leading others astray. He makes claims to having received a revelation and yet there have been many other spiritual leaders, guides, gurus and swamis that do likewise and whose to say that these subjective religious experiences and ideations are truth rather than error and may be only the result of imagination, delusion, or deception. After all not every one can be right in their propositions nor is it possible for every premise to be true thus they must be objectively tested when possible. Some conveniently use metaphysics as a means to communicate truth which is beyond proving unless it is somehow philosophically contradictory and therefore these ideas can remain hidden or occultic from normal human view as beyond the ability to be able to attain or ascertain. Thus this house special of secret ingredients is reserved for the sous chef recipe book who offers a portion of his own unique cuisine to his patrons. This kind of elite transcendent knowledge limits the person to trusting in the charisma of a spiritual teacher at which point it becomes a personality cult and yet the bible would say in objection to this to “test the spirits to see if they are of God”
One of the ways to check this hypothesis of religious knowledge is to see whether the claims are consistent to day to day living as an ongoing reality. I believe that this revelatory idealism as being empowered with Johrei or God’s healing light to remove illness, poverty, and strife from the world as inaugurating a messianic age has failed to provide sufficient reason and evidence in meeting these goals based on the projection of current world affairs and the limited influence of this fringe group.
What I mostly contest is the outcome of the mystical ritual of Johrei or Jorei that is practiced in a shamanistic fashion by the use of a relic or amulet known as Ohikari, which is a paper scroll of calligraphy from Mokichi Okada’s, or by the use of a cupped upraised hand which supposedly directs light into the participant or recipient releasing the curative power of its good vibes. At best the health officials see an outcome to this method as a placebo effect likened to other energy and spiritual healing techniques. Yet I question its over all effectiveness if you still need to receive healing through herbal antidotes and the bodies natural immune system apart from the treatment of this ritual remedy? Moreover if the illness is demonically controlled then this outcome may be no more than a deceptive trick in fooling the individual into believing in these healing powers. Furthermore after undergoing this rite of passage I wonder how members deal with continued or ongoing sickness and the terminal results from aging. Therefore if you are still experiencing sickness, pain/suffering, physical, emotional/mental or personal problems perhaps this spiritual practice is really false or bogus more so than a lack of faith. In addition to this from a philosophical standpoint there is nothing morally intrinsic to this cleansing ritual therefore it lacks explanatory power to this supposed benefit of expelling evil . Anyway this superstitious methodology is marketed as some kind of miracle cure or snake oil remedy as a purifying ritual from spiritual toxins and is often likened to having a spiritual bath and yet realistically is it living up to the hype of it expectations as a cure all and if not then what hope is there for some future man made utopian age or earthily paradise?
Other myths surrounding this controversial group include the use of dreams and visions as guides to action along with the folklore beliefs as pacifying ancestors.
Additionally it appears that this group has its skepticism towards the fulfilling promise of their enlightened leader by which some have under taken to pursue new visions and dreams by supplementing the religious program to include a secular movement of cultural activities known as the “Mokichi Okada Association (MOA)” to help inaugurate a new civilization which ironically shows that this ritualistic approach has proven to be ineffective in actualizing their goals through this primary program of spiritual principles and practice. What further separates reality from the idealism of this group in bringing about a new age of peace is that this movement has had it share of internal conflicts and divisions that has produced a number of different branches. Thus what hope is there in this man made institution as erecting a tower of Babel which attempts to unite humanity under its brand of religion when it has resulted in dispersion?
Now as far as originality is concerned much of this religion’s theory of an earthily paradise seems to borrow their ideas largely from the biblical theme of restoration as using such terms as messiah along with concepts of healing which has led some of their members to equate Okada Mokichi or Meishū-sama as the divine Jesus or perhaps a new messiah. Furthermore this religion is not visionary nor unique but has received much of its inspiration of revelation from Okada’s former religious ties or affiliation with the Shintoist offshoot group known as Oomoto or Omoto which also makes claims of healing powers, along with divine oracles as being transmitted through a peasant woman and the destruction of the world with the appearance of the messiah as ushering in a new heaven and new earth.
Perhaps Okada Mokichi expectations were essentially self fulfilling rather than revelatory towards the beginning of this new millennial era in portraying himself at first as the Boddhisatva Kannon and then latter as the messiah of the new age. The bible describes a strong desire for a renewed world among His created beings which maybe has led some of these millennial groups to take on such expectations, Romans 8-18-25. The scriptures also explains why the earth as yet has not been restored as waiting for the fullness of time in God’s redemptive plan of salvation, 2 Peter 3:1-13. This whole fixation reminds me of the impatience of the Israelites in the Sinai who made for themselves a golden calf to worship as to suit their temporal needs which proved to be a vain attempt in their act of rebellion and idolatry against the eternal God. So instead of a calf this religion has packaged itself as a man and his theoretical philosophy which has seduced others into reveling in this false sense of security.
Romans 1:22
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
In conclusion I do admire many of the goals of this group as being beneficial for mankind but I question that humanity is able to bring about it’s own fulfillment to such high ambitions especially in respect to the limited impact of this movement in light of current world trends. This millennialist sect is hopeful to a brighter future in view of this present age and they have rightly determined the sickness of this life but the path to healing is much larger than any ritualistic form or practice and is far more encompassing as being beyond the help of nature farming or shizen noho and herbal remedies. The bible describes mankind’s serious condition as a sickness of the soul as being morally depraved or sinful in relating to their Creator God which not only has caused alienation with our Maker but also with others along with the calamities that we experience in this world. Nonetheless this will someday be remedied by a messianic age in which Jesus will reconstruct life under a New World order that will bring healing and restoration to all. In the meanwhile we can work and pursue these matters in a limited way but He will be the ultimate fulfillment of these things and therefore for now believers are only a microcosm to His fuller plan/will as they are one of the largest contributors to humanitarian aid in having an universal and worldwide impact. Thus if people follow the path of God’s plan as already laid out then it doesn’t take a new revelation or new movement to continue His established work of mercy and compassion towards others until He returns.
Lastly I hope I have not needlessly offended you over the directness of this post and my serious questioning is only meant as a healthy challenge to get you to think more critically about this institution which has some good ideas but who lacks the sufficiency and ability to fulfill many of these legitimate desires and needs.
In turn I welcome you to take a look at Jesus who in part has already been a model to this movement by whom I have been radically changed along with millions of others and so I am providing some links to my testimony and that of other believers which hopefully is an encouragement to look beyond your present religious view and experience.
Finally it is in Jesus that you can receive purification from evil as He washes and cleanses your heart according to His word; delivering you from the power of all sin and giving you the gift of Eternal Life. Furthermore He will nourish and give life to your soul as He regenerates you by giving you a new nature through the work of the Holy Spirit with the benefactors of ultimate joy, peace, and love which is unspeakable and full of glory the likes of which every soul yearns for. Jesus is not just another great man, prophet or teacher who is directing divine light to heal our souls and bodies but what sets Him apart from all others is that He is the Light.
John 8:12
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Encyclopedia of Religion Second Edition, copyright 2005 Thomson Gale a part of The Thomson Corporation, Lindsay Jones Editor in Chief, Vol.1, pgs.108-109, Peter Clarke
Encyclopedia of Religion Second Edition, copyright 2005 Thomson Gale a part of The Thomson Corporation, Lindsay Jones Editor in Chief, Vol.10, pg.6574, Robert S. Ellwood, Shimazono Susumu
Religions of the world: a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices/ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, editors; Todd M. Johnson, World Religious Statistics; Donald Wiebe, Introduction-2nd ed., Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO, LLC. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA.
