Great Construction
Faith and Commandments
Of course in politics there are feudalistic tendencies and there are liberal tendencies, and the same goes for religion as well. The world of religions until now has to a large extent been occupied by feudalistic ones. One sign of a feudalistic religion is the presence of many commandments: do this or do not do that. These are all feudalistic and shojo, while in our churches, there are hardly any commandments. Our churches are genuinely liberal.
Commandments in religion and laws in society are the same, but suppressing injustice with the power of laws is not the way it should be. The way it should be is that once human beings have become excellent examples, persons of the highest standards, no matter how much they may be pushed around, with no need for regulation true human beings will not commit evil acts.
Accordingly, commandments are the laws and regulations of religions. Thus, the fact that it is established that a true faith cannot be conducted unless it has regulation means that the religion doing so is not true. Having said that, in the uncivilized, barbaric ages, the level of human knowledge was low and genuinely understanding religion was not possible, so evil had to be suppressed with commandments.
As is obvious from what I have described above, religion in our age of a high level of culture has advanced to the point where human beings can understand divine will, so there is no need for the punishment that is called “commandment.” It should be declared that a religion with no need of commandments is the very religion that has the qualification to be able to create a paradise on earth of eternal peace.
Hikari, Issue 40, page 1, December 17, 1949
translated by cynndd
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“Shinkō to Kairitsu” originally appeared on the front page of Hikari, Issue 40, December 17, 1949, and while Meishu-sama was still alive was reprinted in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō Hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 331, March 25, 1954. “Shinkō to Kairitsu” has previously appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.