Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-04
THE STATE RELIGION PROPOSITION
IN JAPAN

THE STATE RELIGION PROPOSITION
IN JAPAN.
The ruling powers of Japan are discuss
ing the question of declaring Christianity
the State religion. The probabilities are
that the Imperial decree will be made to
that effect. If so, it will have a potent
influence in shaping the destinies of that
progressive people There can scarcely be
slid to be n State religion in Japan,
because there is a division between two,
Shintoism and Buddhism, the latter hav-
ing been admitted to full toleration A. L.
500, and is to-day the most popular among
the people. But it has always had strong
antagonism in Japan, and at one time It's
priests were all but suppressed. 1t is,
however, in influence, and the number of
followers the dominant, though Shintoism
is the ancient faith.
Ir'the Court adopts Christianity ii will
mean, therefore, the eventual extinction of
Buddhism and all other so-called heathen-
isrns5 for ii is the history of Christianity
in later ages that it displaces in pro-
gressive countries heather faiths. If the
statesmen of Japan agree, and the Council
advises the adoption of Christianity by the
court, it must be understood that it will be
matter of policy not of spirituality,
though it will have the effect of greatly
stimulating growth and enlarging freedom
of the Christian doctrine But just how
much Of growth from policy to sincerity IN
faith may result, must remain for long
period speculative.
The adoption of Christianity as the
State religion VIII be the further accept
ance of civilizing influences as Japan TN :
derstands their operation in the United
ststey, England, Germany and other
Christian nations" and without as we
have said, any special concernment as to
rei's sious conviction. il Is not easy for
the people Of 4 Republic where tolerance
is complete to fully conceive Of the force
oi al imperial decree upon people ac-
cGstomed to be ruled by an absolute mon
arch. In Japan such an edict will mean,
Oh course, to the people, that official
Japan will worship hereafter neither idols
nor ancestors; that to be in harmony with
the religion of the thronegods that are but
types Of human conception Of good, and of
forces, are TO he overthrown; that the Off
cjal1 Buddhist is to bow no more in the
temples and that there must be No more
looking back over the shoulder to an
oestcrs as objects Of worshipful devotion.
Bat Japan has been for long time
tolerant in the matter OF permitting the
introduction Of foreign religions the
spirit of progress that has touched Japan
recently has removed still more of the bar
riers TO missionary laborers.
Acc ,rding to Baron Hubner, before the
arrival of Christians in Japan the people
were contented and happy, and they have
been made since neither better nor worse.
so far as habits Of life go. Public order
was well preserved prior to the advent of
Ciucassians, and life and property had
greater security in Japan than in any other
pagan nation. There was a civilization
that, spoke of long-established culture, Of
an industrious and provident spirit but it
was tarnished by certain barbarous Gus
tome, and impenetrable superstition held
most of people in slavish subserviency
10 bUcdhism, who are naturally auliable,
chivalrous and light ht-hearted, AM ready to
adapt themselves &c any new conditions,
provided they promise them greater in
telligenee, comfort AND thrift. In this re-
speet the japanese are the very opposite
Of the Chinese.
BuGdhism with the. Japanese, who are
lovers ef nature and almost worshippers
OF the beautiful in nature, is as it was
with its atounder-obeGence to natural
law; belief, as Freen,an Clarke SO
ooncisely defines it, that "every
good act Is rewarded; aad every bad
one punishef with inevitable ccertaintv.
Every time one does right he goes up
whenever he does wrong he goes down.
But 1t is vast mass of metaphysics, ritual
aud outward forms. 1t is 1ot Il moral
struggle for right against wrong in the
hope of triumph of good-it is simply
first discovering. and then submitting to
the laws of the universe. 1t is true in
what it sees, it is false in what it .oz,its to
see it is right in asserting nature, wrong
in omitting spirit; right in affirming
time, wrong in denying eternity, and so
Buddhism generates III imperfect oiyihzs-
tion.n
This chief religion III present Japan
then, which is an ethiezl code of morals. q
belief in the personal ego and its contin-
ned existence hereafter, It is proposed to |
bring into unobstructed attrition with
which is the chief religion of |
the most civilized and progressive nations
Of the world, no matter what the varying
Eorms of expression it takes. Ii represents
progression, where Buddhism reF1esents
'est and non-advaEcement. 1t is the re-
igion that essentially introduces soul, that
lings to the law Of love. and looks 10 ~
immortal spirit life beyond this.
Assuming that the State decree proposed
1ill be issued, the "Christian Hations,' so.
allied, viii look upon the development of
ssults with profound interest i viii en-