宗教への偏見なくして 信教の自由求め大会

宗教への偏見なくして 信教の自由求め大会 | 世界日報DIGITAL (worldtimes.co.jp)

文部科学省が世界平和統一家庭連合（旧統一教会）の解散命令を東京地裁に請求した問題で、「信教の自由と人権を守るシンポジウム新潟県民集会」（主催・信教の自由を守る新潟県民の会）が２０日、新潟市中央区で開かれた。家庭連合の信者に加え、創価学会、立正佼成会など１７の宗教団体の宗教者らが参加。「全ての宗教に対する偏見による宗教差別と迫害に対して断固として抗議し、日本の信教の自由・民主主義」が守られることを推進する宣言文を採択した。

集会では、家庭連合職員の影山権龍（３６）さんが２世信者を代表して講演した。宗教２世が信仰を強要された被害者のように語られる風潮に対し、影山さんは「喜んで信仰を受け継いでいる２世もたくさんいる」と反論。「家庭連合での信仰生活が、私の人生を支え、私の人生の幸せの原動力になっている」と訴えた。その上で、宗教迫害を受け、信者らは「人生であり自分自身そのものである信仰を否定され、心の痛みを感じている」と伝えた。

来賓を代表してあいさつした茨城県取手市議の細谷典男氏は、解散命令請求は「信教の自由を侵害する不当な行為」で、全体主義、国家の無宗教化に繋（つな）がると警鐘を鳴らした。宣言文は首相官邸と文部科学省に届けるという。

In response to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's request to the Tokyo District Court for an order to disband the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), the "Niigata Prefectural Citizens' Meeting to Protect Religious Freedom and Human Rights" (sponsored by the Niigata Prefectural Citizens' Association to Protect Religious Freedom) was held on the 20th in Chuo Ward, Niigata City. In addition to members of the Family Federation, religious leaders from 17 religious organizations, including Soka Gakkai and Rissho Kosei Kai, participated. They adopted a declaration to "firmly protest against religious discrimination and persecution based on prejudice against all religions, and to promote the protection of Japan's religious freedom and democracy."

At the rally, Family Federation employee Gonryu Kageyama (36) spoke on behalf of second-generation believers. In response to the trend of talking about second-generation believers as victims who were forced to follow their faith, Kageyama countered, "There are many second-generation believers who are happy to continue their faith." He said, "My life of faith in the Family Federation has supported my life and is the driving force behind my happiness in life." He went on to say that believers who have suffered religious persecution "feel pain in their hearts as their faith, which is their life and who they are, is denied."

Norio Hosoya, a member of the Toride City Council in Ibaraki Prefecture, who spoke on behalf of the guests, warned that the request for the dissolution order was an "unjust act that violates religious freedom" and would lead to totalitarianism and the atheism of the state. The declaration will be submitted to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.