Breakwater against cults

Breakwater against cults

In the NHK program "Kokoro no Jidai", there was a discussion on religion and "cults".

Mr. Katsuhiro Kohara, pastor and professor of Doshisha University, made an interesting remark.  He stated the following.

 “In the case of Europe, France has one of the highest numbers of cults victims compared to Germany. Now, what causes this difference?  In the case of France, religious education was separated from public education under the strict separation of church and state.  This situation is very similar to post-war Japan.

  This is no religious filter. Everything enters so quickly and you don’t feel any suspicion.  One is easily deceived. On the other hand, in the case of Germany, religious education is mandated by law, and students are required to study Catholic or Protestant.  For those who don't like both, an ethics class is an option and recently there is also an Islamic class. By properly learning such things, the basics of traditional religions are acquired and act a breakwater against cult-like activities.  By having the traditional religious knowledge (religious literacy) cult problems can be solved to some extent.”

Germany and Japan have different ways of thinking about religion, so I am against public education. Looking at the points above, I think it is very important to preach the gospel. (Pastor)