Doug Bandow discusses the growing trend of religious persecution in democratic countries, focusing specifically on recent developments in Japan and South Korea. It highlights how even nations historically known for religious freedom are increasingly targeting specific faiths, echoing authoritarian tendencies seen in other parts of the world.
1. Forms of Religious Persecution:
• Religious persecution can manifest in various ways, often stemming from authoritarian governments, particularly in communist or Muslim-majority countries.
• Western democracies, including Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe, are also beginning to suppress expressions of Christian beliefs that are considered out of political favor.
2. Japan's Religious Policies:
• Japan, while still maintaining a constitution that protects religious freedom, has begun to target specific religious groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification).
• Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced scrutiny for promoting their beliefs to children, which has been termed "child religious abuse" by the Japanese government, raising concerns over parental rights.
3. Targeting the Unification Church:
• The Family Federation has seen increased hostility from the Japanese government, especially following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, linked to a member of this group.
• The government has sought to dissolve the church, claiming it poses a threat, despite the church's past efforts to reform and address criticisms.
• Critics argue that this persecution is politically motivated rather than based on legitimate concerns about the church's practices.
4. International Concerns:
• Various UN rapporteurs have expressed concerns regarding Japan's religious guidelines, suggesting they discriminate against religious organizations compared to non-religious ones.
• The move to dissolve the Unification Church has faced backlash from international observers who advocate for robust protections for all belief systems.
5. South Korea's Legislative Moves:
• South Korea's government has proposed legislation that could allow the government to dissolve religious organizations, reflecting Japan's negative trends.
• The political climate is marked by hostility towards certain faiths, particularly against the Unification Church, further undermining religious liberty.
6. Call for Protection of Religious Freedom:
• The article emphasizes the need for democracies to protect all religious beliefs equally, regardless of their popularity or political standing.
• Persecution of minority faiths contradicts the principles of true liberal democracy, which should include protecting the conscience of all individuals.
Bandow concludes that while the challenges of religious persecution are prevalent in authoritarian states, democratic nations like Japan and South Korea must also be vigilant to uphold the principles of religious freedom. Allowing governments to decide legitimate beliefs undermines the foundation of democracy, and controversial faiths deserve protection just like any other practiced belief. True democratic values require safeguarding the rights and liberties of all, particularly those following less mainstream religions.
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