Evening star., 1942-10-24

the occupying authorities, are being {
campaign is being conducted throu
radio, to convince natives that the
religion of the Allies is public enemy
No. /.
Sometime this month a new Chi
nese Christian organization Is ex-
pected to be formed under the 'aegis
Of the Japanese. According to the
Japanese controlled Domei Press
Agency, go representatives Of Chi
nese Christian bodies held confer
ence in Peking from September $40
preparatory to establishing the new
organization.
The new religious body is appar-
emily the elimination Of series OF
regional declarations which the Japa-
nese have been organizing. Private
reports received by missionary
groups here indicate that such re-
gional groups were being organized
last spring. For example, an organ
ization meeting of new union,
sponsored by the religious depart
ment of the Asia Development
Board, was held in Peking church
on April 10, with representatives
from all large centers in North
China. In addition to church off,
cials, the leading military and po-
litical organizations were repre-
sented at the meeting.
All church groups were forced to
join the new union. The military
authorities announced that even in
dependent churches, never con-
nected with British or American
missions, would be looked upon as
hostile if they do not join. 1T is
impossible to function openly with
out joining" according to one
church leader in a report received
here.
From the beginning, the Japanese
authorities have attempted to sepa-
rate the Chinese churches from all
foreign leadership and influence.
They have discouraged the churches
from having anything to do with
missionaries. An article in Japa-
nese-controlled paper, regarded by
Far Eastern missionary experts here
as an excellent example of the type
of propaganda being used today,
used religion as the chief theme for
discrediting foreign powers.
"The most reprehensible act of the
powers" said the article, "is the
preaching Of religion. The preach
ing of religion is unusual and very
severe. In reality, it Is a method OF
depressing civilization"
The policy of regulating religious
bodies was first adopted in Japan
proper. Laws providing for a COM
| prehensive control of religious organ
izations were promulgated in 1910
Approval by the Minister of Educa'
tion was necessary for the establish
ment Of any religious sect or de-
nomination. Both sects and local
congregations were required to ap.
point a responsible head" to dea
with the government in all matters
But, more important, the laws cut
off foreign financial assistance to
Japanese churches and placed
churches, mission schools, hospitals
and social enterprises directly in
Japanese hands. All foreign leader
ship was eliminated, resulting in the
withdrawal Of many American and
British missionaries. 2ntThe same
policy IS now being followed in oc-
cupied China, and possibly in other
invaded countries.
h The japanese are apparently max
Ing no effort to Introduce Shintoism,
their official religion, into the con-
quered territories. They are said tc
have strong doubts as to the posi-
bility of natives assimilating JAP
anese culture. The three principal
religions in the occupied areas are
Confucianism, Buddhism and Chris
tianity, and the invaders must ap-
proach natives in terms of these
faiths. That they are doing so is
evident from two recent develop
ments:
l. japanese government recently
asked for 500 Christians for work in
China. ct did not get them)
2. The Toxic radio has just an.
nounced that Kung Heien-Chang
72d descendant of Confucius, Is form.
ing, in Toxic, an association of Jap.
anese scholars to help revive Con-
fucianism in China. Chinese mus
be made to realize that they have
been blinded by western trens O
thought" the descendant Of Con.
fucius was quoted as saying.
Christian leaders in China do moi
appear to be resisting the Japanes'
attempts to remove foreign mission
aries from positions Of leadership O.
to shackle religion to the occupyin,
power. It is recalled that in the oc.
cupieds countries of Europe tn
churches have resisted almost ever.
attempt Of the Nazis and Quislinl
to interfere with church life.
The situation in the Orient, how
ever, is somewhat different. Chris
tianity is not the majority religion
as it is in Europe. Hence, resistanc,
would not be effective. It would b
too easily crushed. and the future o
the entire missionary enterpris'
would be endangered.
AS missionary leaders see it, tn,
only hope for the churches of tn
Far East is a military victory by tn
; United Nations which would oust tn
Japanese. Until this event, tn
churches, 1t is held. have no alterna
tive but to turn religious enterprise
: