CHRISTIANITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 96, 23 April 1912, Page 7

CHRISTIANITY.

AM A,ZING JAPANESE PROFO SA L

TO BE BLENDED WITH SHINTO AND BUDDHISM.

Tokio, January 21

The Vice-Minister for Homo Affairs, Mr Tckonami, is responsible for a scheme to bring the three religions of Japan—Shinto, Buddhism and Christianity—into closer relationship with each other and with the State. In a circular issued to the Press the Home Office says:—

“In order to bring about an affiliation of the three religions it is necessary to connect religion with the State more closely, so as to give it (religion) added dignity, and thus impress upon the public the necessity ox attaching greater importance to religious matters. The culture of national ethics can he perfected by education combined with religion. At present moral doctrines arc inculcated by education alone, but it is impossible to inculcate firmly, fair and upright ideas in the minds of the' nation unless toe people are brought into touch with the fundamental conception known as God, Buddha, or Heaven, as taught in the religions. It is necessary, therefore, that education and religion should go hand in hand to build up the basis of the national ethics, and it is therefore desirable that a scheme should be devised to bring education and religion into closer relationships to enable them to promote the national welfares.

“All religions agree in their fundamental prllfcijilea,. but the pre-sent-day conceptions of morals differ according .. to the time and place, and anccovding to the different points of view.'lt is over evolving. lit may ,therefore, be necessary for Shinto and Buddhism to carry their steps 'Towards Western cou:x- , . ■: / .1 ' 1 : tries. .

“Christianity ought also to step oat of the narrow: circle within which it is confined aup endeavour to adapt itself to the national sentiments and customs and to conform to the national policy, in order to ensure greater achievements. Japan has adopted a progressive policy in 1 pblicfrs and economics, in order to share in the blessings of Western civilisation. It is desirable to bring Western thought and faith into harmonious relationship with Japanese thought and faith in tho spiritual world.” A meeting of the different sects will be held on a date to lie fixed by the Diet, at which the Minister of Home Affairs will deliver an address and the scheme to he proposed by the Home Office will be outlined. . The whole matter being at present in a preliminary stage, it is impossible to give any idea of the precise scheme which tho Homo Office has in view. It may bo considered as a confession that Japan has railed in attempting to inculcate morality independently of the aid of a “revealed” religion. The effect on the progress of Christianity may be immense, but at the same time it must be recognised that such Christianity will have a'Jarjancse stamp and he exceedingly latitudinarfan. It may, indeed, be in the nature of a blend of Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity. The V e.T and the East have mingDd so rnd’.sti aguish ably in Japan in so many other respects that it is not without the bounds of possibility that tney ma\ again meet in religion. -Reuter.