p. 11 | Affiliation Means Compromise by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

Affiliation Means Compromise

By Editor

RECENT reports from Japan tell of a conference held in February of representatives of the Shinto, Buddhist, and Christian religions, to study, according to the Independent, “if the forces of the three religions could not be united for the purpose of improving the moral character of the Japanese people.” According to the Independent the purpose of the meeting was threefold: First, to study and elevate public morality; second, to counteract the influence of an order by the minister of education last year, encouraging ancestor-worship and visits to public shrines. It was felt that this was a breach of the spirit, if not of the letter, of the “freedom of conscience” clause in the constitution; third, “to give Christianity recognition as a reputable and established religion of the Japanese people, thus making public amends, as it were, for the suspicion and unfair treatment of Christianity in the past.” It is stated that the members of the “present cabinet were wise enough to avoid any attempt to combine the three religions, or to establish a state religion, or to interfere in any way with the internal affairs of any of the religions.” If this policy on the part of the government is adhered to, all will be well; but we must regard with disfavor any effort on the part of Christianity to affiliate or unite with the cults of heathenism. Affiliation can only mean compromise, and the worst thing for the cause of Christian missions in Japan, as for Christianity in every land, would be governmental recognition. For the liberty to teach religion without interference from the state, Christian missionaries have the right to ask. But to seek governmental promotion or influence or legal recognition, or to seek any affiliation with false systems of worship, can only result in compromising the holy character of Christianity.