Great Construction

Department Store Religion

     To describe World Messianity in the most understandable terms, it would be fair to call it a department store religion. The term “department store” somehow does not seem appropriate for religion, but since I believe this phrase is the best fit, let me explain its significance. I continually teach that Christianity, Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, philosophy, science, the arts, that all fields are included within World Messianity. Of these various fields, what World Messianity particularly emphasizes are health, farming, and in a different sense, that such as the arts. Of course, as the name indicates, World Messianity advocates the goal of the great task of the salvation of the world, so all in creation must be saved, and thus it is a matter of course that in every aspect of human affairs, each mistake must be identified and the highest levels of policy, provided. The progress of contemporary culture is indeed wonderful, but at the same time, its many defects are outstanding. Even if it may be sufficient that the defects on the surface are visible to the public eye, as the defects within are not visible, the only way to make corrections is to shine on the defects the divine light of God.
     It is in this sense that World Messianity wields a scalpel in order to dissect all areas of existing culture, to clarify the situation, and to plan for the appearance of a better world, so the arrival of a paradisial culture is to be expected.
     The above is roughly the meaning of the phrase department store religion. 

Eikō, Issue 97, page 1, March 28, 1951
translated by cynndd

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“Depātokyō,” which appeared originally on the front page of Eikō, Issue 97, March 28, 1951, and reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō Hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 218, March 25, 1954, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“‘Department Store’ Church,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 15.