Japan’s Search for a New Religion
A NEW religion is being agitated for in Japan. Certain of the élite in that country allege that a new religion is a necessity, and the reviews have been filled with discussions as to the possibility and necessity of endowing Japan with such a religion. Buddhism, Shintoism, and Christianity are set aside as unsuitable to the present demands, and a religion is advocated which shall consist of a combination of the best doctrines and principles of existing beliefs, so stated as to be reconciled with the deductions of modern science. The discussion of this subject has aroused Japan to no slight extent. It is natural for those who know not the true God, to call for a religion which is only human in its wisdom, and does not go above the heights of human knowledge. It must agree with modern science, and nothing must be retained which modern science cannot explain. And this is only to say that God must not be a being above human comprehension; which is to make God altogether such a one as ourselves, and place the source of our salvation no higher than the fallen race for whose salvation the Christian religion is ordained. Salvation from sin—from the fallen, carnal nature—must come from an infinitely higher source. The true religion must be that which brings to us a knowledge and power altogether above and beyond ourselves. No being whom man could comprehend could be either a creator or a savior. The demands of the true religion are met by Christianity alone.